D3 Central Distrcit Preview

Africentric
23-6 (Columbus City League-South)

Lost in State Semifinals 48-47 (2OT) to Ottawa-Glandorf

Who is Back: Cortez Freeman (Sr)- 2nd Team All District

Who is Gone: Dailyn Swain (District Player of the Year), Preston Steele (3rd Team All District)

Burning Question: Will the Nubians have enough to keep their state streak going?

Outlook: Africentric loses a generational player in Swain and will miss his scoring output. Freeman however could be a leader on the offensive end and keep Africentric in the running for a District title.

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Columbus Academy
21-3 (Central Buckeye League)

Lost in District Finals 78-56 to Africentric

Who is Back: Theo Falkenheim (Jr)- 1st Team All District, MJ Jackson (Jr)- 3rd Team All District

Who is Gone: Charlie Heywood

Burning Question: Is this the year CA gets a District title?

Outlook: Columbus Academy had underclassmen leaned on a year ago and still made the District Finals. Now a year older, this group is a scary team going into the year and are a favorite to contend with Harvest Prep/Worthington Christian.


Harvest Prep
22-7 (Mid State League-Cardinal)

Lost in State Semifinals 65-44 to Lutheran East

Who is Back: Brandon Roddy (Jr)- 3rd Team All District, Adonus Abrams (Sr), London Foggie (Sr), Khalil Daniels (Jr)

Who is Gone: Nyelle Shaheed (1st Team All District), Zyaun Hutson, Chris Towns, Judah Haynes-Lee

Burning Question: Will the Warriors have enough talent around Roddy to go back to Dayton?

Outlook: The Warriors have one of the better guards in Central Ohio in Roddy and have surrounded him with experience from the State Final 4 team last year. Should again be one of Central Ohio’s top teams.

Northridge
18-6 (Licking County League-Cardinal)

Lost in District Semifinals 64-44 to Harvest Prep

Who is Back: Carter Mallernee (Sr)- 1st Team All District, Ethan Payne (Sr)

Who is Gone: Justin Townley, Ian Travis

Burning Question: Can Mallernee lead the Vikings to a District title with the depth in Central Ohio?

Outlook: Northridge looked solid during the season and is returning their top guy in Mallernee. While there are some other pieces lost to graduation, the Vikings could still be a tough team in the LCL.


Worthington Christian
21-5 (Mid State League-Ohio)

Lost in District Finals 61-44 to Harvest Prep

Who is Back: Sam Johnson (Sr)- Cedarville commit- 1st Team All District, Jonah Lewis (Sr)- 3rd Team All District, Michael Redd II (Jr)

Who is Gone: Correll Amsbaugh

Burning Question: Can the Warriors repeat their feat with a new coach?

Outlook: Quintin Aden joins the Warriors from Independence and will take over a team with plenty of talent after a District runner up finish. Will be one of the best teams and makes a case to be a District champion.