Division II Preseason Power Rankings
Defending state champion Westerville North debuts at No. 1 in the preseason power rankings for Division II
Westerville North dominated the entire state of Ohio en route to a Division II state championship last season. Let’s take a look at where teams stack up heading into the 2025-26 season.
1. Westerville North
Record: 25-2
Tournament finish: State champions
Top returning players: Tony Cornett III (6’4 Jr. G), Tyson Perkins (5’9 Jr. G), Elijah McCree (6’0 Sr. G), Damion King (6’4 Jr. F), Jacob Medhane (6’1 Sr. G)
The scoop: Westerville North won their final 24 games and obliterated competition in the tournament, winning their six postseason games by an average of 38 points per game including a 78-46 blowout in the state finals. It was arguably the most dominant run for any team in recent history across Ohio from a team that will be remembered for a long time. Despite losing the iconic brother guard duo of Tai Perkins (Akron) and Micah Young (Concord), the Warriors are still loaded and will be a major favorite to go back-to-back at the state level. Junior guard Tony Cornett III emerged as one of the elite players in not only Ohio, but the Midwest over the summer, rising to a 4-star ranking in the 2027 class. Cornett picked up several Division I offers and is expected to make a major leap this year. If you thought the Perkins bros were done, I have bad news for you. Tyson Perkins returns to run the show and many think he might be the best out of the three oldest brothers. Perkins and Cornett give North a dynamite 1-2 punch, however, returning key role players Elijah McCree and Damion King give the Warriors much needed experience and production. The way this program has talent stocked up for years reminds me of their teams in the mid 1990s which won a state title in 1994 and made back-to-back trips to the state final four in 1995 and 1996.
2. New Albany
Record: 21-5
Tournament finish: Regional finalist
Top returning players: Marco Mattucci (6’4 Sr. G), Kelby Martin (6’2 Jr. G - transfer from Zanesville), Caden Kistner (6’2 Sr. G), Luke Ford (6’3 Sr. G), Cam Kolar (6’4 Jr. G), Evan Muirfield (6’5 Jr. C)
The scoop: If anyone had any doubts about Tim Casey being able to be successful with his style at New Albany, the results are in and they’re good! Through two seasons under Casey’s leadership, New Albany is 41-10 and if their tournament progression is consistent with last season when they advanced three rounds further than the year before, the Eagles would find themselves in the state championship. Falling 38-35 to North Royalton in the regional finals at Wooster, the Eagles came one possession away from returning Casey back to the state final four for the first time since 2014 where he also came just one possession away from a championship. This year’s New Albany squad reminds me quite a bit of that 2014 Upper Arlington team in that they’re led by a Division I commit and alpha dog (Kevin Vannatta - UNC-Asheville then, Marco Mattuci-Toledo now) and a cast of hard-nosed role players who can score the basketball and play dominant team defense. Kelby Martin transfers in from Zanesville and gives the Eagles a highly athletic guard who can create for himself and others, while Caden Kistner, Luke Ford, Cam Kolar and Evan Muirfield are terrific players that make this team dangerous. This is a veteran team that nobody will want to see in the tournament. If Mattucci can have a tournament like Vannatta’s (he outrebounded Northland by himself in the regional finals - he was 6-foot-2 by the way), New Albany could find themselves in the same position Westerville North was in a season ago.
3. Big Walnut
Record: 16-10
Tournament finish: Regional finalist
Top returning players: Brody Hatfield (5’10 Sr. G), Carson Scholl (6’8 Jr. F), Eli Stumpf (6’4 Jr. G), Owen Pollock (6’4 Sr. C), Jackson Bowers (6’3 Jr. G)
The scoop: Big Walnut made history last season, winning its first district title since 1997 and a trip to the regional finals where they ran into the Westerville North buzzsaw. With nearly its entire team returning, the Eagles are a major player in a Division II region in Central Ohio that has elite competition at the top. Brody Hatfield returns to lead the backcourt for the fourth season in a row and is the unquestioned leader on this team. Hatfield is a superstar on the gridiron for a team that has state title aspirations that should be wrapping up around the time basketball season begins. While that may keep this team from fully gelling into mid December, Big Walnut will be rolling by tournament time. Junior forward Carson Scholl has established himself as a major scholarship prospect, as he offers elite length and shooting ability at 6-foot-8 with a near 7-foot wingspan. You just can’t find freakish size and shooting that often in the area, so he gives the Eagles a weapon that most teams cannot duplicate. Fellow junior Eli Stumpf is a terrific shot making guard that gives Big Walnut even more firepower. Owen Pollock and Jackson Bowers are two returning players that played major minutes last season and will give this team the most experience among teams in Division II. If the Eagles take one leap further and get to the state final four, they might just have the roster to finish the job.
4. Licking Heights
Record: 20-5
Tournament finish: Regional semifinalist
Top returning players: Kha’z Simon (6’7 Sr. F), Nate Lovinsky (6’7 Sr. C), Ta’vyon Wright (5’8 Sr. G), Tip Davis (5’10 So. G), TJ Ward (6’0 Jr. G)
The scoop: Shaun Fountain has rescued Licking Heights basketball from the depths of obscurity and built a powerful program that is going to compete for championships for years. The Hornets won their first district title in school history in dramatic fashion at the buzzer against Westerville South last season and returns unquestionably the best front court in the entire area. Kha’z Simon and Nate Lovinsky are two senior big men that dominate the low post but offer enough versatility to be respected on the perimeter. Simon committed to Ohio Dominican in the fall, while Lovinsky is a highly sought after prospect at the small college level. This duo will give teams problems all season long, as they’re big, mean and nasty. The backcourt is to be respected as well, as Tay’vyon Wright had a big emergence for the Hornets after transferring from Gahanna Lincoln last season. Wright is a do it all playmaking point guard that makes everyone better. The x-factor this season might just be sophomore guard Tip Davis, who has been regarded for years as one of the elite players in his class and has the type of talent to take this team to the next level. Getting out of Columbus in the regional tournament is not for the weak, but especially in Division II this season.
5. Northland
Record: 19-4
Tournament finish: District finalist
Top returning players: Diante James (5’9 Sr. G), Owan Mburugu (6’5 Jr. F), Vandell Slade (6’3 So. G), Pharaohe Zaire (6’8 Jr. C - transfer from International), Quinez Walker (6’1 So. F)
The scoop: Northland has been the class of the City League for three years in a row no matter who is on the roster. The constant in that run has been senior guard Diante James, who is the lone remaining part of the three horsemen that all came to Northland together two years ago in internet sensation King Kendrick (Caldwell Prep, NC) and Jaiden Shoultz (DeMatha Catholic, MD). James was Northland’s best player and unquestioned floor leader in every big game last season and is without a doubt the elder statesmen this year for a team that is pissed off and ready to win past the City League level. The Vikings lost Shoultz to the portal in the offseason but were fortunate in that same portal when 6-foot-8 low post stalwart Pharoahe Zaire transferred to his neighborhood school and joined the program. Zaire is rehabbing an offseason foot injury and should be ready to go by the beginning of the season. The 6-foot-8 junior is the biggest pound for pound player in Central Ohio and has an intriguing skill set that could really give this team a boost. The biggest returner aside from James is junior wing forward Owan Mburugu, who erupted in the City Championship over Africentric. Mburugu needs to be a more consistent version of himself for this team to achieve its goals. The next great player in the illustrious history of Northland basketball is sophomore wing Vandell Slade, who blends elite-level athleticism with size and physicality that will make him a scholarship prospect this time next year. For Northland to get back to what it used to be, this team has to bring it when they’re playing powers outside of the City League and play to the level they’re capable of.
6. Westerville South
Record: 9-15
Tournament finish: District finalist
Top returning players: Xavier Jones (6’3 So. G), London Vickroy (6’5 Sr. F), Hassan Kaba (6’3 Sr. G)
One sentence summary: For the first time since the 1986-87 season, Ed Calo is not the Westerville South head coach. (that made me incredibly sad to type)
7. Teays Valley
Record: 2-21
Tournament finish: District semifinalist
Top returning players: Brody Fields (6’3 Sr. G), Kaden Purdon (6’6 Sr. F)
One sentence summary: Brody Fields and Kaden Purdon are a terrific duo that will help Teays Valley have a major bounce back season.
8. Worthington Kilbourne
Record: 9-15
Tournament finish: District finalist
Top returning players: Cal Wolford (6’5 Jr. F), Ben Davis (6’4 Sr. C), Brylan Brown (6’0 Sr. G)
One sentence summary: After making it to the district finals last season, Kilbourne has enough returning talent to challenge once again.
9. Canal Winchester
Record: 9-14
Tournament finish: District semifinalist
Top returning players: Elijah Dunn (5’10 Sr. G), Trey Robinson (5’10 Jr. G), Isaiah Darfus (6’3 Sr. F)
One sentence summary: The Indians have two strong guards in Dunn and Robinson and a hard working forward in Darfus that will keep them competitive.
10. St. Charles
Record: 9-15
Tournament finish: District finalist
Top returning players: Charlie Koesters (6’3 Sr. F), Marcus Nathan (6’3 Jr. F), Scott Thompson (6’2 Sr. G)
One sentence summary: St. Charles made the districts for the first time since 2022 and returns a large chunk of a core that should get them back over .500.
11. Westerville Central
Record: 11-14
Tournament finish: Regional semifinalist
Top returning players: Matt Brett (6’3 Sr. F), Tyler Gooden (5’10 Sr. G), Mason Gooden (5’11 Sr. G)
One sentence summary: Westerville Central needed Josh Henderson (Akron) to be superman to win a district title a year ago, and with a less talented core taking over this season, the Warhawks have their work cut out for them.
12. Logan
Record: 4-19
Tournament finish: District semifinalist
Top returning players: Hudson Edwards (6’2 So. G), Owen Hughes (6’0 Sr. G), Owen Bell (6’3 Sr. F)
One sentence summary: A young and talented Logan team has the Chieftains looking forward to the future.
13. Mount Vernon
Record: 12-11
Tournament finish: District semifinalist
Top returning players: Zane Barber (6’1 Sr. G), Wyatt Fisher (6’1 Sr. G), Trace Beck (6’4 Jr. F)
One sentence summary: Mount Vernon will look to build on a solid season last year with a strong run in the Ohio Cardinal Conference.
14. Dublin Scioto
Record: 4-19
Tournament finish: District semifinalist
Top returning players: Brady Michaels (6’2 Jr. F), Isaiah Jones (6’1 So. G), Ethan Foster (6’2 Sr. F)
One sentence summary: After a difficult season a year ago, a resurgence could be on the horizon for Scioto.
15. Franklin Heights
Record: 11-13 (two games lost due to forfeit for ineligible player)
Tournament finish: District finalist
Top returning players: Israel Ludaway (5’11 Jr. G), Trent Williams-Hawthorne (6’3 Sr. F), Javeon Byas (6’1 Sr. G)
One sentence summary: A historic season ended in disarray as an ineligibility scandal has Franklin Heights under new leadership this season.
16. Watkins Memorial
Record: 7-16
Tournament finish: District semifinalist
Top returning players: Eli Jessup (6’0 Jr. G), Luke Nungesser (6’2 Sr. F), Donevan Sheppard (6’3 Sr. F)
One sentence summary: With some returning talent, the Warriors could be one of the top contenders in the Licking County League.
17. Mifflin
Record: 10-13
Tournament finish: District semifinalist
Top returning players: Myles Jarrett (5’5 Jr. G), Kesahn Bouttry (6’3 Sr. F), David McClunley (6’2 Sr. F)
One sentence summary: Year three of the Al Jarrett era includes some increased optimism with the return of a young roster.
18. Briggs
Record: 4-19
Tournament finish: District semifinalist
Top returning players: Dame Phoubaykham (6’2 Sr. F), Teshawn Ray (6’1 Jr. F), Joshua Adkins 95’11 So. G)
One sentence summary: Briggs will need new contributors to step out and help the Bruins out of the bottom half of the City League South.
19. Whetstone
Record: 4-18
Tournament finish: District semifinalist
Top returning players: Liam Oliphant (Sr. G), Julian Cotter (Sr. G), Jonathan Showalter (Jr. G)
One sentence summary: Javon Walker comes in after years on the Africentric bench with the hopes of instilling a winning culture at Whetstone.