MaxPreps 2012-13 Ohio Boys Basketball Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard1. Thurgood Marshall (Dayton)
Head coach: Darnell Hoskins
2011-12 finish: 14-11, D-II Regional Semifinalist
The
Cougars might not reside in Ohio's largest classification, but just
because they're Division II doesn't mean they aren't legit. Marshall,
which has been D-II state runner-up twice in the last four years, is a
favorite for its first state title. The Cougars go 15 deep. Keeping the
team first is key. The leading returning scorer is senior
Mark Alstork
(6-4, 185 pounds, 14.5 ppg), while the leading returning rebounder is senior
Gerry Green (6-6, 260, 8 rpg), who is a major college football
prospect. Senior guard
Edmond Early Jr. (6-1, 165, 7.8 ppg, program's
best on-ball defender) and junior point
RaChaun Martin (5-10, 150, 3.7
apg) headline the backcourt. The wild card is 6-7 freshman
Derrick Daniels who is getting high-major D-I interest already. Said Hoskins,
who played collegiately at Wisconsin and Dayton: "High expectations are
being placed on us and with just cause. We understand that and are
ready to accept responsibility."
View the MaxPreps Preseason Xcellent 25 National Boys Basketball Rankings2. Central Catholic (Toledo)
Head coach: Jim Welling
2011-12 finish: 17-5, D-I District Semifinalist
The
Irish will try to ride the momentum of their highly successful football
team, which is making a deep postseason run. Getting into basketball
shape is the early hurdle. Louisville tight end commit
Keith Towbridge
(6-5, 240) is TCC's top returning scorer (14 ppg) and rebounder (8 rpg) and was first team All-Three Rivers Athletic Conference last year.
Also back are All-TRAC HM selections and seniors
Deontae Cole (6-6,
190, 8 ppg, Northern Kentucky commit) and Cliff Bussey (6-1, 175, 8 ppg).
Juniors
Deshone Kizer (6-5, 190) and
Nate Harris (6-6, 210) add depth.
Kizer is one of the country's top 2014 quarterback prospects and owns
mid-major basketball offers. Harris averaged eight points and seven
rebounds last year. Coming off the bench is senior
Jayme Thompson (6-2,
183) who is headed to Ohio State on a football ride.
View all of our Ohio boys basketball photo galleries3. Walnut Hills (Cincinnati)
Head coach: Ricardo Hill
2011-12 finish: 19-3, D-I District Semifinalist
According
to Hill this is "easily the most anticipated season in the history of
the school." The lineup is loaded. Senior Akron commit
Isaiah Johnson (6-9, 280)
returns after averaging 17 points and 12 rebounds en route to Fort
Ancient Valley Player of the Year honors.
Also back are a trio of All-Conference senior guards in
Sterling Gilmore
(6-1, 170, 9 ppg),
Ricardo Hill Jr. (5-10, 155, 8 ppg) and
Khari Burton
(5-8, 145, 7 ppg). The key addition is
Dontonio Wingfield Jr., a transfer from
Lockland and the son of former NBA player and University of Cincinnati
standout Dontonio Wingfield. Wingfield (6-6, 210) averaged 19 points and
eight rebounds last year and is committed to Ohio University. Keep an
eye on senior post
Jordan Tyson (6-10, 220) a move-in from Columbus who
was injured last season. Walnut Hills will test itself against a
schedule that includes Huntington Prep (W. Va.) and Roselle Catholic
(N.J.).
View last season's Ohio boys basketball stats leaderboard4. St. John's Jesuit (Toledo)
Head coach: Ed Heintchel
2011-12 finish: 15-7, D-I District Semifinalist
The
Titans have been to the state tournament six times under Heintchel but
are looking for their first title after three runner-up finishes. This
could be the year. St. John's returns a solid nucleus led by reigning
Three Rivers Athletic Conference Player of the Year and senior
centerpiece
Marc Loving (6-8, 200). The small forward is Ohio's top
prospect, has committed to Ohio State and is on pace to become the
school's all-time leading scorer and rebounder. Loving averaged 23 points and nine rebounds as a
junior. Keep an eye on senior
Austin Gardner (6-0, 12 ppg, 4 apg) and
junior
Anthony Glover (6-0, 5 ppg). Perimeter play is a strength.
View last season's Ohio boys basketball Freeman Rankings
5. St. Ignatius (Cleveland)
Head coach: Sean O'Toole
2011-12 finish: 16-6, D-I District Semifinalist
The
Wildcats will be led by senior posts
Derek Sloan (6-5, 13 ppg, 9 rpg)
and
Alec Papesch (6-7, 12 ppg, 8 rpg). Papesch is headed to New York
University. Senior guard
Francisco Santiago (6-1, 9.5 ppg) controls the
backcourt. A deep junior class that includes
Kyle Berger (6-3),
Eric Black (6-7) and
David Black (6-6) adds to the optimism. Keep an eye on
sophomore
Jaylin McDonald (6-4). Said O'Toole: "We consider our
strengths to be our size, scoring ability and depth. We can play 10
guys or more."
View last season's Ohio boys basketball playoff brackets