D1 Northeast District Preview

Archbishop Hoban
26-3

Division I State Champions

Who is Back: Jonas Nichols (Sr)- Akron Commit- NE Player of the Year, Sam Greer (So), Kenneth Scott (Jr)- transfer from GlenOak, Ace Brown (So)

Who is Gone: Will Scott (1st Team All District), Logan Vowles, Andrew Griffith

Burning Question: Can Hoban replace 3 starters and defend their title?

Outlook: Nichols and Greer are a great 1-2 punch and can keep Hoban in the conversation with their defense. Replacing the 3 starters will be the biggest question mark, but the addition of Scott should help.

Brecksville-Broadview Heights
23-4 (Suburban League National Division)

Lost in District Finals 52-50 (OT) to St. Ignatius

Who is Back: Luke Skaljac (Sr)- Miami (OH) commit- NE Player of the Year, Brady Ganley (Jr), Junior Kambomba (Sr)- transfer from Lutheran West

Who is Gone: Chase Garito (2nd Team All District)

Burning Question: Is Skaljac able to carry the Bees past the District Finals?

Prediction: Bees return lots of scoring in Skaljac and Ganley. Addition of Kambomba brings defensive tenacity. Bees will be one of the best teams in the state and should be a contender to reach Dayton in March.

Brunswick
17-7 (Greater Cleveland Conference)

Lost in District Semifinals 63-56 to Cleveland Heights

Who is Back: Tommy Morgan (Sr)- 1st Team All District, Quinn Barnett (Sr), Albert Shaker (Jr), Trey Drexler (So)

Who is Gone: Maxx Dickinson (2nd Team All District)

Burning Question: Does Brunwick have the “it” factor to get past the Districts?

Outlook: The Blue Devils are going to be a favorite to win the GCC and will have enough experience to contend within the District.

Brush
13-11

Lost in District Finals 49-43 to Walsh Jesuit

Who is Back: Aliyy King (Sr), Daryl Bush (Sr), Yahir Hill (Sr), Damari Dammons (Jr)

Who is Gone: Tyler Williams (All District), Marlon Barnes

Burning Question: Will the Arcs get over the District hump?

Outlook: Brush has been a standout program in NE Ohio but is losing two fantastic players from that team. King has a chance to be a breakout player and has good core pieces around him

Garfield Heights
22-4 (Lake Erie League)

Lost in Regional Finals 50-38 to Toledo St. John’s

Who is Back: Marcus Johnson (So)- 1st Team All District, Calvin Little (Sr)- Fairmont State commit, Deandre Jones (Sr)- Kent State commit, Carter Jackson (Sr)- Canisius commit- transfer from St. Ignatius,  Germainn Marshall (Jr), Chris Hill (Fr)

Who is Gone: Jyles Brandon, Tommie Benn

Burning Question: Is this the year the Bulldogs get over the hill and get to Dayton?

Outlook: The Bulldogs are loaded with talent and bringing back so much. The additions of Jackson and Hill only make this team even more deadly offensively. Early favorites to reach Dayton.

Glenoak
18-7 (Federal League)

Lost in District Semifinals 81-46 to Archbishop Hoban

Who is Back: Ja’Corey Lipkins (Sr)- 2nd Team All District, Jaylen Mcelroy (Sr), Bryce Broom (Jr), Reese Zerger (Jr)

Who is Gone: Kenneth Scott- transfer to Archbishop Hoban

Burning Question: Do the Eagles have enough returning to compete in a loaded NE Ohio?

Outlook: GlenOak has one of the more exciting players in Lipkins and will bring back a core that should be one of the better teams in the Federal League

Louisville
19-5

Lost in District Semifinals 49-48 to Walsh Jesuit

Who is Back: Hayden Nigro (Sr)- 2nd Team All District, Beau Siegfried (Jr), Brayden Gross (Jr)

Who is Gone: Will Aljancic (1st Team All District)

Burning Question: Do the Leopards have the offensive firepower?

Outlook: The Leopards defend well and run a half-court focused offense. A District title is not impossible, but will be tough without scoring.

Maple Heights
18-6 (Lake Erie League)

Lost in District FInals 40-39 to Medina

Who is Back: Kenyon Giles (Sr)- 2nd Team All District- transfer from Rhodes, Alan Mallory (Sr)- transfer from Lutheran East, Davan Aniton (Jr), King Young (Fr)

Who is Gone: Michael Lewandowski- transfer to Lutheran West, Darnell Aniton, Darius Davis, Jayvion Moore, Xavier Peterson

Burning Question: Will the incoming players replace a talented senior class?

Outlook: Mustangs look different with several incoming names to transfer and freshman but should be a competitive group.

Massillon Jackson
19-7 (Federal League)

Lost in District Finals 38-37 to Stow-Munroe Falls

Who is Back: Kyle Monterrubio (Jr)- 2nd Team All District, Anthony Fuline (Sr), Mitch Finefrock (Jr)

Who is Gone: Owen Woolbert (1st Team All District), James Bossart

Burning Question: Can the Polar Bears repeat another District run?

Outlook: Jackson is one of the better teams in NE Ohio year in and year out. Monterrubio could have a breakout season

Mentor
19-6 (Greater Cleveland Conference)

Lost in District Semifinals 64-58 to Nordonia

Who is Back: Ian Ioppolo (Sr)- Findlay commit- 1st Team All District, Matt Biddell (Sr)- Walsh commit, Ryan Calo (Sr), Conner O’Brien (Sr), Kobe Frasure-Azzano (Jr)

Who is Gone: Ryan Ioppolo

Burning Question: How far will Ioppolo lead the Cardinals?

Outlook: Mentor has plenty of seniors and is one of the best coached teams in the state. Could see this group winning a District title and battling for a Regional title.

St. Edward
21-3

Lost in Regional Semifinals 44-40 to Archbishop Hoban

Who is Back: Brian Sullivan (Sr), Wendell Henry (Sr), Max McClellan (Sr), Boden Grant (Jr)

Who is Gone: Cameron Grant (1st Team All District), Lucas Perusek (3rd Team All District), Danny Lavelle, Ryan Hargett, Bevyn Coleman

Burning Question: Who is the next big name to come out of Lakewood?

Outlook: The Eagles always find a way to compete and will have to replace 2 All-District players.

St. Ignatius
19-8

Lost in Regional Semifinals 38-37 to Garfield Heights

Who is Back: Reece Robinson (Sr)- Cleveland State commit, Sam Springer (Sr)- Air Force commit, Jack Zapolnik (Sr), Damon Friery (Jr), Quinn Woidke (Jr), Sammy Dari (Fr)

Who is Gone: Ace Buckner (1st Team All District)- transfer to La Lumiere (IN), Carter Jackson- transfer to Garfield Heights, Owen Macura, Bradyn Szczpaniak

Burning Question: Can Joyce lead the Wildcats to the state title after 2 straight state appearances?

Outlook: Iggy has the combination of guard play, size, and overall skill. Friery and Woidke have seen their stocks rise during AAU and the Wildcats have to be a favorite to reach Dayton yet again.

St. Vincent St. Mary
19-7

Lost in District Semifinals 42-37 to Brush

Who is Back: Jayson Walker (Sr), Sir Charles Gordon (Sr), John Whorton (Jr), Noah Chambers (Jr)- transfer from Shaker Heights, Aiden Monroe (Fr)

Who is Gone: Lance Hayes (1st Team All District), Kevin Hamilton (1st Team All District), Darius Stratford

Burning QUestion: Can the Irish replace a senior class that won 2 state titles during their run?
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Outlook: The Irish won’t look the same as previous seasons, but the addition of Chambers and Monroe as well as Whorton’s growth means the Irish will still compete for a District title.