Midwest Live: Top 5 teams from Central Ohio
A look at the top local teams from a loaded Midwest Live event at Cedar Point
By Luke Harrington (follow on X at @lukeharringt0n)
Midwest Live tipped off at Cedar Point this past weekend. With dozens of the top teams from Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, here are five Central Ohio teams that really stood out.
1. Reynoldsburg (Midwest Live Record: 2-2)
Despite going .500 at Midwest Live, it is difficult not to put the defending DI state runners-up at #1. Despite losing three starters, two of them being DI college players (Jordan Fisher: Ohio and Toby Nwokolo: Toledo), the Raiders are reloading with new talent and athleticism. Ohio University commits Jorden Bowens and Xavier McKinney are one of the top duos in the state of Ohio, and as seniors, they will look to punish their opponents for another year. McKinney has improved his shiftiness and beating his defenders with his first and second moves, while Bowens is elite on the glass and in the paint. The x factor for Reynoldsburg is 2028 Mekhi Roddy, whose physicality makes him one of the best sophomore prospects in the area. There just aren’t many programs in Ohio that can complete with the speed and athletic ability of the ‘Burg; look for them to make another deep run in March 2026.
2. Upper Arlington (Midwest Live Record: 3-1)
If there was ever going to be a breakout year for the Golden Bears, 2025-2026 is the year. 6’9 wing and Ohio State commit Alex Smith is poised to make a significant jump into the Mr. Basketball conversation as a senior. His length has been a problem for OCC defenders for years, but Smith has improved his outside shot and footwork in the paint to make him an elite scoring threat. Coach Joe Bills did a nice job running multiple screening actions for Smith, and even ran a stagger for him, which opened him up for several open threes from the left corner. Upper Arlington has a lot of help this year as well, with seniors Hayden Henry and Brody Larrison doing a lot of the ball handling and outside shooting for the Bears. UA also has a good junior in Luke Mitchell, who should improve as a playmaker after a year of Varsity starting experience under his belt. Look for the gold and black to be OCC Central favorites going into the winter.