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OCC-Cardinal Preview

By Zach Fleer, 10/28/16, 10:00AM EDT

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Dublin Jerome senior point guard Zach Watson leads the Celtics into 2016-17

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- High school basketball season is back and better than ever. Continuing our season preview series, we take a look at a brand-new OCC-Cardinal division that is widely different from last season. 

Arguably the most open division of them all in the OCC, the Cardinal is the only division with seven teams. Five of the seven could reasonably compete for a division title, which will make this high school season an intriguing one.

Let's take a look at the OCC-Cardinal season preview, only on 270 Hoops.

Preseason Awards


270 Hoops OCC-Cardinal Most Valuable Player

Zach Watson (Sr. PG, Dublin Jerome)

The Dublin Jerome floor general Watson is the OCC-Cardinal MVP pick for the preseason. After a very strong fall season, Watson, who has a chance to lead all of the area in scoring this season, leads a Dublin Jerome team into 2016-17 that is looking to repeat the major success of the past few years. With a quick first step, tremendous quickness in space, and a reliable outside jumper, there is not much on the floor that Watson can't do, which warrants his pick for MVP.

270 Hoops OCC-Cardinal Underclassman of the Year

Matt Allocco (Fr. PG, Hilliard Bradley)

It wasn't long ago that a freshman point guard by the name of Braden Norris entered the Bradley program and made an immediate impact in the backcourt next to a veteran junior guard. Two years later, Norris is that veteran guard and Allocco is the talented freshman drawing all the hype. Allocco is our pick for Underclassman of the Year, as he brings a level of leadership and calmness to the floor that is rare for a freshman. Also a knockdown jump shooter that can control the game, look for Allocco to contribute at high levels alongside the fellow sharp-shooting Norris.

270 Hoops OCC-Cardinal All-League Team

Zach Watson (Sr. PG, Dublin Jerome)

Braden Norris (Jr. PG, Hilliard Bradley)

Christian Carter (Sr. SG, Thomas Worthington)

Will Yoakum (Sr. SF, Delaware Hayes)

Isaiah Speelman (Jr. SF, Hilliard Bradley)

Season Outlook

(Buttons linked to team pages)

2015-16 record: 18-6 (11-3)

Result: Division I sectional finalist

Top returning players: Braden Norris (6'0 PG / 2018), Isaiah Speelman (6'6 SF / 2018), Matt Allocco (5'10 PG / 2020), Chris Mayfield (6'3 SF / 2018)

Question: With two new talented freshman in the fold, can Bradley take the next step into the spotlight in Columbus?

Outlook: Returning its top two scorers and welcoming in two of the best freshmen in Ohio, things are looking up for Hilliard Bradley this season. Starting with juniors Braden Norris and Isaiah Speelman, who have done nothing but produce since breaking onto the scene two years ago, Bradley has a chance to be one of the area's top teams this year. Norris and Speelman are the heart and soul of the Jaguars, as both can score in a variety of ways, while winning big this summer on the AAU circuit against the best talent in the nation. The Jaguars also benefit with the additions of freshman point guard Matt Allocco and freshman wing Chris Mayfield, who look to each have an instant impact this season. With four very good players, Bradley has the outside scoring it needs to be very good, but will the Jaguars be able to compete with the best of the best while lacking a true post presence? That will be the question that could determine Bradley's fate this winter. 

2015-16 record: 22-4 (12-2)

Result: Division I district finalist

Top returning players: Zach Watson (6'2 PG / 2017), Eddie Anders (6'3 SG / 2017), Lucas House (6'3 PG / 2018), Andrew Golda (6'8 PF / 2018), Kyle Burrier (6'2 SG / 2017)

Question: Jerome graduates its best class ever. Does Zach Watson have enough to continue a winning tradition for the Celts?

Outlook: Gone is Jerome's all-time best class and three 1,000-point scorers. Returning however is senior point guard Zach Watson who is primed to have a huge season. Watson is the consummate floor leader and point guard for the Celts, as he can do everything offensively, while remaining a high quality scorer. Outside of Watson, Dublin Jerome features talented guards in senior sharp-shooter Eddie Anders and junior facilitator Lucas House, who both bring quality size to the wing. Also back is senior guard Kyle Burrier, who has been a key piece off the Celtics bench for the last two seasons. In the post, look for junior power forward Andrew Golda to step up this season for the Celts, who are looking to take control of a Cardinal division that no longer features rival Westerville South. With the guard play to put up points, it will be interesting to see who else steps up for Dublin Jerome, who may be losing a large chunk of talent, but returning a considerable amount as well. 

2015-16 record: 15-9 (8-6)

Result: Division I district semifinalist

Top returning players: Christian Carter (6'2 SG / 2017), Jake Montgomery (6'8 PF / 2017), Jaedyn Carter (6'0 PG / 2018)

Question: The Carter brothers have been middle of the road mainstays in the Central, but with a brand-new league, does TW have enough to break out?

Outlook: Moving over to the Cardinal division from the Central, Thomas Worthington is looking to build on a relatively successful 2015-16 campaign. Returning to lead the charge are seniors Christian Carter and Jake Montgomery. Carter is a do-it-all bulldog on the wing, who brings toughness, competitiveness and surge-like scoring when he catches a rhythm. Montgomery, at 6-foot-8, has quality size and is improving by the day, which could be intriguing for the Cardinals. In the backcourt, junior guard Jaedyn Carter could be primed for a breakout season, as he was very productive a season ago as a sophomore. With three main contributors to lean on, the x-factor for the Cardinals will rest on the remainder of the roster, as Thomas Worthington will look for role players to step up and contribute. 

2015-16 record: 14-8 (10-4)

Result: Division I sectional finalist

Top returning players: Gabe Watson (6'1 PG / 2017), Carson Van Lynn (6'6 PF / 2017), Zach Wilson (6'1 SG / 2019)

Question: After a heartbreaking end to 2016, does Kilbourne's senior class lead the Wolves back to league contention?

Outlook: One crazy buzzer-beater away from a district semifinal appearance, Worthington Kilbourne returns to 2016-17 with revenge on its mind. While the Wolves lost a large chunk of production to graduation, Kilbourne's top two guys in seniors Gabe Watson and Carson Van Lynn are back. Watson is a stellar point guard who competes and can really facilitate, while Van Lynn brings quality size and scoring ability in the post. Kilbourne will be looking for increased production out of sophomore guard Zach Wilson, who is one of the area's better shooters in his class. Outside of the main three, Kilbourne will look for its cast of role players to step up and help the Wolves rise to the top of the Cardinal division. 

2015-16 record: 9-14 (6-8)

Result: Division I sectional semifinalist

Top returning players: Will Yoakum (6'5 SF / 2017), Terin Kinsway (6'5 SF / 2019), Kameron Brockman (6'2 SG / 2017)

Question: It's Will Yoakum's team now. Can the 6'5 swingman put the Pacers over the top?

Outlook: After a rather disappointing 2015-16 campaign, Delaware Hayes returns again as a young unit, but one that is not lacking for talent. Starting with senior wing Will Yoakum, who finally is 'the man' on this Pacers team, Delaware will look for big numbers out of its athletic 6-foot-5 wing. Capable of putting a ton of points on the board, combined with a highlight dunk here and there, Yoakum will be Hayes' primary scorer, while sophomore wing forward Terin Kinsway is back after starting every game as a freshman. With size and strength, Kinsway could be primed for a big season for the Pacers. Delaware also gets a transfer from Upper Sandusky in senior guard Kameron Beekman, who the Pacers' staff have been raving about all fall. With enough talent to seriously compete, will Hayes break through in 2016-17? Consistency will be the key for the Pacers to do just that. 

2015-16 record: 8-15 (5-9)

Result: Division I sectional semifinalist

Top returning players: Brandon Vertolli (6'0 PG / 2017), Jake Wehder (6'4 SG / 2017)

Question: Can Dublin Scioto climb into the middle of the Cardinal pack behind its senior class?

Outlook: It has been a rough couple of years for Dublin Scioto basketball, but the Irish are looking to turn things around in 2016-17. Behind talented senior guard Brandon Vertolli, who has a chance to put up big numbers this season, the Irish are looking to improve on a 2015-16 season in which Scioto competed closely with some of the area's best teams. Losing a considerable amount of production to graduation, the Irish will be looking for consistent production to compliment Vertolli, who is the main guy for Scioto this season. Senior wing Jake Wehder could be that complimentary scorer that Scioto needs in order to climb into the top half of the Cardinal. 

2015-16 record: 7-16 (4-10)

Result: Division I sectional finalist

Top returning players: Jose Deleon (5'11 PG / 2017)

Question: Can Darby arise from the bottom of the Cardinal division this season?

Outlook: Hilliard Darby returns to the floor in 2016-17 looking to improve on a rough last couple of years for the program. With one of the area's hardest working coaches, Darby starts off this season with unfortunate circumstances, as top returner and senior forward Isaiah Wheeler is out for the season with a knee injury. Senior point guard Jose Deleon will likely have to take over scoring in Wheeler's absence, as Darby will be searching for consistent production out of the rest of its roster in order to compete. Darby looks to be a really young team with a lot of question marks at this point, as 2016-17 could be another rebuilding year for the Panthers. 

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