D2 Northeast District Preview

Buchtel
23-6 (Akron City Series)

Division II State Champions

Who is Back: Stevie Diamond (Jr), Zevin Gadson (Sr)- transfer from Firestone, Ebrahim Jabbi (Sr)- transfer from North Carolina

Who is Gone: Khoi Thurmon (1st Team All District), Amire Robinson (1st Team All District). Marcel Boyce (1st Team All District), Jayden Maxwell, Malsi Pearson- transfer to Lutheran East

Burning Question: Will the new additions replace 3 1st Team All District players?

Outlook: Buchtel will again be the favorite in the Akron City League, but defending their title will depend on if Gadson and Diamond can replicate the scoring gone.

Glenville
17-9 (Senate League)

Lost in Regional Semifinals 64-56 (OT) to Gilmour Academy

Who is Back: Damarion Witten (Sr)- Ohio State (football) commit, Ruel Tomlinson (Sr)- transfer from Walsh Jesuit, Lorenzo Staley (Jr), Theo Castro (So)

Who is Gone: Damareyon Oliver- 2nd Team All District, Jakobi Laster

Burning Question: How will the Tarblooders look with Castro out?

Outlook: The Tarblooders might have to wait depending on their football team’s success. Depending on how long Castro is out, Glenville could be a challenger in NE Ohio again.

Holy Name
21-2 (Great Lakes Conference-East)

Lost in Sectionals 71-59 to Benedictine

Who is Back: Max Bolin (Jr), Drew Styers (Jr)

Who is Gone: Josh Pineiro (All District), Joey Abraham (All District), Dorrian Pettway, Keegan Fernlund

Burning Question: Is Bolin ready to but the Green Wave on the map again?

Outlook: Holy Name is losing a lot of production from a 2-loss team last year. Bolin and Styers are a great combo to lean on and can lead the Green Wave to a District title

Jefferson Area
16-7 (Northeast 8)

Lost in Sectionals 51-46 to West Geauga

Who is Back: Joseph DeGeorge (Sr)- 2nd Team All District, Anthony Covetta (Jr)- 3rd Team All District

Who is Gone: Grant Hitchcock

Burning Question: Will the Falcons avenge their early loss in the postseason?

Outlook: Jefferson is returning their top 2 players from a season ago. NE Ohio is more open this year and the Falcons can be a sleeper team.

Lutheran West
25-4

Lost in State Championship 59-57 to Buchtel

Who is Back: Jayson Levis (Sr)- 1st Team All Conference, Derek Fairley (Sr)- 1st Team All Conference, Matthew Meyer (Jr), Tino Yli-Junnila (Sr)- transfer from Hudson, Michael Lewandowski (Sr)- transfer from Maple Heights, Dylan Bartchak (Sr)

Who is Gone: Boubacar Djigo, Junior Kambomba- transfer to Brecksville-Broadview Heights

Burning Question: Is there a team in NE Ohio with the depth of the Longhorns?

Outlook: If there is a favorite to start the season in Division II, it has to be the Longhorns. They have the depth and talent of any team in Division II. Preseason favorites to claim a state title.

Tallmadge
15-9 (Suburban League)

Lost in Sectionals 61-52 to East Cleveland Shaw

Who is Back: Kaden Davis (Jr)- 2nd Team All District, Paul Rusinko (Jr)

Who is Gone: Collin Dixon, Ty Hurst

Burning Question: Can the Devils rebound from an early postseason exit a season ago?

Outlook: Some of Tallmadge’s top talent were underclassmen last year. Now those guys are juniors and Davis had an exceptional Spring. Tallmadge might be a year away but could be a sneaky team

Ursuline
22-3 (Steel Valley Conference)

Lost in District Finals 74-68 to Gilmour Academy

Who is Back: Jaden Payne (Sr)- 1st Team All District, Jared Klucinec (Jr), Jaylen Gunther (Fr)

Who is Gone: Terrance Pankey (1st Team All District), Vinny Faluto (2nd Team All District), Dashaun Will

Burning Question: Will the young players alleviate the loss of 2 All-District players?
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Outlook: Payne’s return will be huge for the Irish as they will have some young players to lean on this year. A return to the District title is completely doable.