COLUMBUS, Ohio -- While AAU season has come to an end, there are still four months until the high school basketball season kicks off. However, it is never too early to take a look ahead at the season to come. Who will be the teams to beat and the early favorites in Central Ohio? We dive into that here.

1. Newark

2015-16 record and result: 18-7 (10-4), district semifinalist

Top returning players: BJ Duling (6'6 SF, 2017), Kobe Long-Weber (5'11 PG, 2017), Justin Carter (6'3 SF, 2017)

Possible breakout players: JT Shumate (6'4 SF, 2018), Keyshawn Heard (6'6 PF, 2019), Jakim Murphy (6'2 SG, 2017)

Newark is the most experienced team in Central Ohio, and the Wildcats are not short on talent, either. With Kent State commit BJ Duling leading the charge, Newark is a band of seniors that are looking to avenge an upset district semifinal loss to Hilliard Davidson last March. With Duling, Kobe Long-Weber and Justin Carter leading a deep unit, the Wildcats are poised for a run to a regional title, which would be their first in eight years. Out of the OCC-Ohio, Newark looks to be the bully in the OCC-Capital, where Groveport and New Albany figure to be the Wildcats' only real competition. 

2. Westerville South

2015-16 record and result: 26-4 (13-1), state champion

Top returning players: Kaleb Wesson (6'10 C, 2017), Antoine Smith (6'6 PF, 2017), Anthony Mills (6'2 PG, 2017)

Possible breakout players: Cameron Caldwell (6'2 SF, 2018)

The defending state champions return to 2016-17 with three of its top seven from last season, but the Wildcats will have a ton of production to replace from a historic 2016 class. Luckily for coach Ed Calo, he still has the massive Kaleb Wesson in the middle, and two very good complimentary pieces in seniors Antoine Smith and Anthony Mills. The question will be who will step up from the rest of the roster, which will determine how far the Wildcats can go in 2017. We see Westerville South rolling through a realigned OCC-Buckeye in league play.

3. Pickerington Central

2015-16 record and result: 22-5 (12-2), regional semifinalist

Top returning players: Sterling Manley (6'10 C, 2017), Jeremiah Francis (6'2 PG, 2019), Darius Coker (6'4 SF, 2017), Jah Blevins (6'4 SF, 2018)*

Possible breakout players: Adrian Nelson (6'5 SF, 2018), Coleton Landis (6'6 C, 2019), Josiah Fulcher (G, 2020)

Arguably the area's most talented team, Pickerington Central looks to be the clear leader in a realigned OCC-Ohio. With the big two in Sterling Manley and Jeremiah Francis back, the Tigers have depth at every position, and plenty of size and skill off the bench. Francis and senior Jalen Horton provide for a dynamic backcourt, while Manley is the man in the middle. A player we think can be very good is rising junior wing Adrian Nelson, who offers great length and versatility. With the addition of talented wing Jah Blevins from defending state champ John Glenn, another district title seems in store for the Tigers. 

* = transfer

4. Hilliard Bradley

2015-16 record and result: 18-6 (11-3), sectional finalist

Top returning players: Braden Norris (6'0 PG, 2018), Isaiah Speelman (6'6 SF, 2018), Kory Taylor (6'6 PF, 2018)

Possible breakout players: Matt Allocco (6'0 PG, 2020), Chris Mayfield (6'2 SG, 2020)

One of the area's most intriguing teams, Hilliard Bradley returns Central Ohio's top scoring duo in Braden Norris and Isaiah Speelman, who have been nothing short of spectacular for the last two seasons. Who the Jaguars surround their talented rising junior combo with will tell the story for Bradley, as rising freshmen Matt Allocco and Chris Mayfield will have a chance to see the floor early. The OCC-Cardinal is Bradley's to lose, as the Jags look to be the early favorites in 2016-17.

5. St. Charles

2015-16 record and result: 22-2 (7-1), district semifinalist

Top returning players: Nick Muszynski (6'10 C, 2017), Tavon Brown (6'8 PF, 2017), Braden Budd (6'1 PG, 2017)

Possible breakout players: Bryce Todd (6'2 SG, 2018)

After winning a second-straight Central Catholic League title, St. Charles returns to the floor with a real chance to win a district championship. With one of the state's biggest front lines between 6-foot-10 Nick Muszynski and 6-foot-8 Tavon Brown, the Cardinals are not hurting for size, as inside scoring will be one of St. Charles' strong suits this season. An intriguing player to watch is senior guard Braden Budd, who was the Cardinals' heart and soul a season ago. In a talent-heavy CCL that could potentially feature three district title winners, St. Charles will have eight tough league games on tap, which should prepare them for district tournament play.

6. Pickerington North

2015-16 record and result: 11-13 (7-7), district semifinalist

Top returning players: Jerome Hunter (6'7 SF, 2018), Eli McNamara (6'8 PF, 2018), Dondre Palmer (6'3 SF, 2018)

Possible breakout players: Ty Wiley (5'10 PG, 2018)

For the first time in years, Pickerington North has a chance to not only crack the top two of the OCC-Ohio, but compete for a league title. Led by rising junior Jerome Hunter, who by all accounts, has been one of the area's most dominant players this summer, Pickerington North has size, versatility, and most important, experience. The young pups of the past have grown and matured, and will look to have the type of season that we have believed they could have for the past two years. The Panthers will good as far as Hunter can take them. Look for breakout seasons from rising juniors Eli McNamara and Dondre Palmer as well. 

7. Upper Arlington

2015-16 record and result: 23-4 (13-1), regional semifinalist

Top returning players: Dane Goodwin (6'5 SG, 2018), Max Martz (6'3 SF, 2019)

Possible breakout players: Will Grabovac (6'1 PG, 2018)

While graduating a deep and successful 2016 class, Upper Arlington still has Dane Goodwin, and luckily for the Golden Bears, he may just be the best overall player in the area. Enjoying a huge summer where Goodwin skyrocketed to among the nation's top 50 players in the 2018 class, Upper Arlington likes its chances atop the OCC-Central. Alongside Goodwin is talented rising sophomore wing Max Martz, who enjoyed a breakout freshman season, while rising junior point guard Will Grabovac could be one of the area's better breakout guards. 

8. Northland

2015-16 record and result: 21-3 (15-0), district semifinalist

Top returning players: Jejuan Weatherspoon (6'3 SG, 2018), Quentin Jones (6'8 C, 2017), Brandon Waugh (6'0 PG, 2017)

Possible breakout players: William Mfum (6'2 SG, 2019), Gabe Towns (6'7 PF, 2018)

The darlings of the Columbus City League return to the court without a bonafide superstar for the first time in a decade. The Sullingers, Burkes, Robinsons and Towns of the world are long gone, as Northland enters a season that will be different than in years past. While still the most talented team in the City League, the Vikings are young and inexperienced, and will need an alpha dog to step up and take the team by storm. We could see that being Jejuan Weatherspoon this season, or even rising sophomore William  Mfum, who may just be the best prospect in the entire City. We see Northland winning yet another City League title in February. 

9. Reynoldsburg

2015-16 record and result: 9-14 (6-8), sectional semifinalist

Top returning players: Reece Strohm (6'6 SF, 2017), Jamiel Goliday (6'0 PG, 2018), Joe Cooper (6'4 SF, 2017)

Possible breakout players: KJ Walker (5'10 PG, 2018), Ben Fort (6'2 SG, 2019)

While last season was a bit of a disappointment for the Raiders, there is reason to believe 2016-17 will be good to Reynoldsburg. Returning a lot of experience from last season, the Raiders will be improved from a year ago, as three-year letterman Reece Strohm will lead a team that will compete in the top half of an OCC-Ohio that is still as strong as ever. 

10. Gahanna

2015-16 record and result: 25-3 (12-2), regional runner-up

Top returning players: Jordan Mitchell (6'7 SF, 2019)

Possible breakout players: Josh Corbin (6'2 SG, 2019), Chase Rankin (5'10 PG, 2018), Nate Ward (6'4 SF, 2018)

With only one player returning with starting varsity experience, Gahanna is one of the area's least experienced units. However, the Lions are not short on young talent and will take its bumps and bruises early, but a deep tournament run is in the realm of possibility. Featuring arguably the area's most talented player in Jordan Mitchell, Gahanna will have an alpha dog to rely on in big games, as its young group of guards and wings will need to mature quickly. The addition of senior power forward Connor Collins will help the Lions from a depth standpoint, as we expect big contributions from Corbin, Rankin and Ward, among several others. 

On the fringe: Worthington Kilbourne, Groveport, Briggs, Thomas Worthington, Westerville North, Dublin Jerome, Dublin Coffman, Delaware, New Albany, Central Crossing