Division III

OHSH was supposed to have all of the divisions out by now, but getting married in a little over a week put that to a halt. Obviously, that is far more important. I know my fiance would love to hear that statement. She usually asks me when does basketball season end. She loves to ask that because she knows the answer. My lovely fiance is in Portland, Oregon at the present time.

Today, we will take a look at the revamped D3. One word comes to mind, loaded. Last week, OHSH gave you the teams that were entering from Division and today we will look at the D2 teams that will be bumping down to join the party.

Here is a brief reminder of some of the teams moving up from D4:
Oak Hill, Worthington Christian, Columbus Africentric, SE Charleston, Hamler Patrick Henry, Plymouth, Georgetown, Manchester, East Canton, and Tipp City Bethel.

Teams moving out of D3 up to D2:
Cincinnati North College Hill, Northwestern, Columbus Bishop Hartley, and Indian Valley.

Teams with 225 boys, which is just two over the limit to be in D3:
Milan Edison, Keystone, Dayton Thurgood Marshall, and Upper Sandusky.

Thurgood Marshall will still be a major player in D2, but may even be better with Taft moving to D3.

Teams moving down to D3:
Cincinnati Taft, Orrville, Amanda-Clearcreek, Pomeroy Meigs, Galion, Fairview Park, Youngstown Liberty, Cortland Lakeview, and West Muskingum.

Taft is a heavy favorite with all its talent, but don't sleep on Orrville. The Red Riders return three starters including 6-foot-1 senior Jacob Bolyard (20.2 ppg.), 6-foot-6 junior Zach Wasson (14.8 ppg.), 6-foot-3 senior Chase Hoobler, and 6-foot-6 junior Max Pirman who has a ton of talent.

For Taft, Cameron (14.3 ppg.) and Kevin Mitchell return at guard along with 6-foot-8 senior Cory Hunter, 6-foot-5 senior Shawntez Johnson, and 5-foot-9 junior Marquez Johnson.

By the way, the Senators will welcome three new additions including 6-foot-6 sophomore Adolphus Washington (12.7 ppg.), sophomore guard Orlando Berry, and sophomore big man Dwayne Stanford. Those are three of the highly touted freshman class of Cincinnati Roger Bacon. Josh Lemons, one of the others, is now at Cincinnati Lasalle, and Daryan Martin has not yet relocated to my knowledge.

Division III was less than exciting last season, but count on 2010 to deliver in Ohio's underappreciated division.

Early favorites in no particular order:
Cincinnati Taft
Orrville
Cleveland Central Catholic
Middletown Madison
Liberty-Benton
Plymouth
Oak Hill
Smithville
St.Henry
Ottawa-Glandorf
Wheelersburg
Anna
Centerburg
Piketon
Zane Trace
Peebles
East Canton
Twin Valley South
Campbell Memorial

This is just a few to keep an eye on.