COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Despite the new OCC realignment for this season, the Central division, dominated by Upper Arlington and Dublin Coffman in recent years, was not majorly affected.

Losing Olentangy Liberty and Thomas Worthington to the changes, six of the original eight Central members remained in the division. As Upper Arlington won the Central division a year ago, will the Golden Bears be able to repeat in 2016-17?

Let's take a look at the official 270 Hoops OCC-Central season preview. 

Dane Goodwin (Jr. SG, Upper Arlington)

Goodwin is the landslide choice for 270 Hoops OCC-Central Preseason MVP. After leading Upper Arlington to a district championship as a sophomore, Goodwin is looking to dominate the Central division a year later, after immense success on the EYBL circuit with All-Ohio Red. Goodwin's confidence and work ethic are at all-time highs, which mixed with his size, athleticism and scoring ability, make him a nightmare of a matchup for opposing defenses.

Max Martz (So. SF, Upper Arlington)

After playing a big role on Upper Arlington's district title team last season, Martz is expected to fill even bigger shoes in 2016-17. With great length and scoring ability, Martz will be the secondary scorer for UA behind Goodwin. Look for the 6-foot-4 wing to flourish this season, as he can hit every shot on the floor, and with Goodwin's presence, will be able to take advantage of mismatches this season. 

Nick Livingston (Sr. PG, Hilliard Davidson)

Antwon Hampton (Jr. SG, Central Crossing)

Dane Goodwin (Jr. SG, Upper Arlington)

Max Martz (So. SF, Upper Arlington)

Josh Daman (Sr. PF, Marysville)

2015-16 record: 23-4 (13-1)

Result: Division I regional semifinalist

Top returning players: Dane Goodwin (6'5 SG / 2018 / Ohio State), Max Martz (6'4 SF / 2019), Jordan Bailey (5'10 PG / 2017)*

Question: With a stable of young talent, UA continues to stay at the top of the Central. Can the Bears make another long run?

Outlook: Upper Arlington returns more talent than any team in the division. Obviously with Dane Goodwin, the Bears have the best perimeter guard in the area, and someone who really emerged last season in Upper Arlington's run to a district title. Goodwin is not a one-man show, however, as sophomore wing forward Max Martz has made great strides this offseason, receiving his first Division I offer from Western Carolina earlier in the month. Upper Arlington receives a great piece in the backcourt in the form of 5-foot-10 senior guard Jordan Bailey, who transfers in from Kenton Ridge, located near Springfield. Bailey is a quick and heady point guard who controls the pace, hits shots and defends. The UA big three, combined with complimentary pieces such as junior guard Will Grabovac, senior wing Justin Whitcomb, sophomore forward CJ Karsatos and emerging 6-foot-7 freshman forward Max Mollman, make the Golden Bears one of Central Ohio's elite teams. 

* = transfer

2015-16 record: 22-4 (12-2)

Result: Division I district finalist

Top returning players: Dominiq Penn (5'10 PG / 2020), Nick Carlson (6'6 PF / 2018), Trevor Grady (6'4 SF / 2018), Will Hunter (6'1 PG / 2019)

Question: Coffman's lineage of great point guards adds yet another, will Dominiq Penn's impact be enough to stop UA from the league title?

Outlook: The Central truly may be a one-team league in 2016-17, but as expected, Dublin Coffman will have something to say about that. While the Rocks lack the senior presence that they've had in years' past, Coffman is still talented, skilled and may have more depth than many are expecting. Freshman guard Dominiq Penn is an instant-impact player, regarded by many inside the Coffman program as the most talented freshman guard to ever come through the school. Expected to start from day one, Penn will be a huge boost to a Rocks program that does nothing but produce college-ready guards. Penn is joined by juniors forwards Nick Carlson and Trevor Grady, who the Rocks are expecting to contribute at high levels. Carlson is regarded by the Coffman coaches as having the potential to be one of the program's best scorers ever, while Grady brings length, athleticism and versatility. A guard Coffman is really excited about is sophomore Will Hunter, who will be among 10 or so guys that should be able to contribute this season for the Rocks. Coffman will be young and unproven, but do not count the Rocks out from making a second half season run at a league title. 

2015-16 record: 13-11 (8-6)

Result: Division I sectional finalist

Top returning players: Josh Daman (6'7 PF / 2017), Brodie Eberhart (6'0 PG / 2019), Marshall Francisco (6'6 C / 2018)

Question: Marysville is a perennial third place team in the Central. Can the Monarchs break into the top two?

Outlook: A program that seems to linger outside of the top two of Upper Arlington and Dublin Coffman, Marysville is looking to break through in 2016-17. While losing a lot of production to graduation, Marysville, a program that relies greatly on a JV system that has done well at producing varsity-ready talent, will lean on senior power forward Josh Daman, who has really improved as an inside and outside scorer this fall. Daman is the only returning varsity player, however the Monarchs are expecting great things from sophomore point guard Brodie Eberhart and junior center Marshall Francisco, who will look to have a great impact for Marysville. If the Monarchs' young players can mesh well with the senior forward Daman, Marysville could be a challenging threat late to compete in the Central division. 

2015-16 record: 6-17 (4-10)

Result: Division I Sectional semifinalist

Top returning players: Antwon Hampton (6'3 SG / 2018), Keason Lowe (5'9 PG / 2018), Mike Woods (6'3 SF / 2018)

Question: Central Crossing has a chance to set a program record for wins. Will the Comets follow through?

Outlook: Returning the great majority of its production from last season, led by junior guard Antwon Hampton, who exploded onto the scene as a sophomore, Central Crossing has more hype surrounding its basketball program this season than ever before. With the potential to set a program record for wins, Central Crossing's coaches are confident that the Comets can compete with anyone in the division. In order for them to do that, Hampton will need to score at a high level, but also be efficient, as fellow junior and point guard Keason Lowe is one of the division's best and forms for a solid supporting cast. Junior wing Mike Woods enters his third season of varsity action, and provides for consistent knockdown shooting on the wing. The Comets will need to figure out who can produce for them outside of the top three, and if they will be able to win big games without a true post presence. 

2015-16 record: 14-12 (5-9)

Result: Division I district finalist

Top returning players: Nick Livingston (6'2 PG / 2017), Travis Moore (6'0 SG / 2017), Ryan Royer (5'11 SG / 2017)

Question: After a surprise run to the district championship last season, can Davidson keep the momentum going?

Outlook: Nobody expected Hilliard Davidson, a No. 17 seed in last year's district tournament, to make the run that they did to the district finals. Davidson was in fact the last team to lead eventual state champion Westerville South after the first quarter. Gone with that surprise run is a deep senior class that made head coach Cort Hamilton's second year on the job a success. Returning, however, is senior point guard Nick Livingston, who stepped up his level of play in last year's district tournament. Livingston is surrounded by senior wing guards Travis Moore and Ryan Royer, who both played key roles on last year's Davidson team. Will the Wildcats have enough scoring to seriously compete with the league's best? That will be the key question for Davidson in 2016-17. 

2015-16 record: 4-19 (1-13)

Result: Division I sectional finalist

Top returning players: Amirah Johnson (6'2 SF / 2017), Ben Harris (5'9 PG / 2017)

Question: Does the OCC realignment hurt or help the Cougars, or does it even matter?

Outlook: The last three years have not been good to Westland, as the Cougars have won just 12 games in that span after winning 18 games in the 2012-13 season alone. Unfortunately for the Cougars, 2016-17 doesn't appear to be much better. Westland had problems with discipline, effort and attitude last season, while lacking the talent that other teams in the division possess. Returning for the Cougars is senior forward Amirah Johnson, who has been a primary contributor for two years, while senior guard Ben Harris was one of Westland's best scorers a season ago. In a division that will be tough to climb out of the cellar in, Westland's outlook is not looking great in 2016-17.