Division I Preseason Power Rankings

Practices begin this week. Here's how we rank the 22 teams in Ohio's largest of seven divisions

The pumpkin spice season is upon us and so is the high school basketball season. With practices starting on Friday, it’s time to start ranking the teams in the area. The 2024-25 season will be different from any in Ohio high school basketball history, with seven divisions coming into the fold. As such, the Central District’s largest division, Division I, has been reduced from 49 teams in 2023-24 to 22 in 2024-25. Here is how we have these teams ranked heading into the season.

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Devin Brown returns and is one of the top candidates for Central District player of the year

1. Olentangy Orange

2023-24 record: 26-2

Tournament finish: Regional runner-up

Key players: Devin Brown (6’5 Sr SF), Levi Davis (6’0 Jr PG), Keegan Knupp (6’5 Sr C), Treyton Schroeder (5’9 Jr PG)

Landon Vanderwarker is back after leading Delaware Hayes to its first district title since the Reagan administration and first state trip in school history

2. Delaware Hayes

2023-24 record: 27-2

Tournament finish: State semifinalist

Key players: Landon Vanderwarker (6’7 Sr PF), Jeremiah Russell (6’1 Jr PG), Carter Piatt-Brown (6’3 Sr SF), Chase Griggs (6’0 Jr SG)

There’s no better late game closer in the area than Reynoldsburg’s Jordan Fisher

3. Reynoldsburg

2023-24 record: 19-7

Tournament finish: District runner-up

Key players: Jordan Fisher (6’6 Sr SG), Toby Nwokolo (6’5 Sr PF), Jorden Bowens (6’6 Jr PF), Xavier McKinney (6’4 Jr SG)