Division II Preseason Power Rankings

One day out from the start of practice, here's our look at the all-new Division II

Division II is where Ohio’s new seven division format starts to get really interesting. In the Central District, 20 former Division I teams now make up the new Division II. There are 64 teams in the entire division statewide, meaning that a team’s first tournament game is now at the district semifinal level. The tournament will be highly competitive, as we have a loaded group of teams at the top that competed at the district level last year in D1. Here’s what we have for D2 to begin the season.

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Tai Perkins committed to Akron over the summer and now has his sights set on a Westerville North run to the state tournament.

1. Westerville North 

2023-24 record: 21-5

Tournament finish: District finalist

Key players: Tai Perkins (6’0 Sr PG), Micah Young (6’2 Sr SG), Elijah McCree (6’0 Jr SG), Nolan Fedak (6’6 Sr C), Tony Cornett III (6’4 So G)

Marco Mattucci (center) and Miles Jackson (right) lead New Albany into Tim Casey’s second year at the helm of New Albany. The Eagles are a real threat to get Casey back to the state tournament for the first time in 11 years.

2. New Albany

2023-24 record: 20-5

Tournament finish: District semifinalist

Key players: Marco Mattucci (6’4 Jr SG), Miles Jackson (6’4 Sr SF), Daneal Krylov (6’6 Jr SF), Dean Matt (5’11 Jr PG)

Josh Henderson (#2) and Amare Spiva (#23) form a dynamic one-two punch for Westerville Central, who is looking to bounce back from a heartbreaking district final loss to Hilliard Bradley.

3. Westerville Central 

2023-24 record: 16-9

Tournament finish: District finalist

Key players: Josh Henderson (6’4 Sr SG), Amare Spiva (6’2 Sr PG), Maceo Harper (6’4 Sr SF), Matt Brett (6’3 Jr SG)

Nehemiah McMorris (#21) and Jaden Shoultz (#10) power Northland into a season where the Vikings not only are looking to win a third-straight City League title, but the school’s first district title in 10 years.

4. Northland

2023-24 record: 16-4

Tournament finish: Sectional finalist

Key players: Nehemiah McMorris (6’7 Sr C), Jaden Shoultz (6’4 Jr SG), Diante James (5’10 Jr PG), TeJuan Barbour (6’4 Jr SG), Owan Mburugu (6’5 So PF)