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OCC-Buckeye Preview

By Zach Fleer, 10/28/16, 12:00PM EDT

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Ed Calo and Westerville South return as defending state champions

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Buckeye division is back after going away for a few years when the OCC was relegated to four divisions. In a brand-new division with three Westerville and Olentangy schools, the Buckeye is led by future Buckeye Kaleb Wesson and defending state champion Westerville South.

Returning three of its top seven from last season, is Westerville South the sure-fire pick to run away with the Buckeye? We take a look here with the OCC-Buckeye season preview, only on 270 Hoops.

Preseason Awards


270 Hoops OCC-Buckeye Most Valuable Player

Kaleb Wesson (Sr. C, Westerville South)

Kaleb Wesson is the landslide pick here and it's not really close. The most dominant big man in Central Ohio, Wesson is back after playing a major role in Westerville South's state championship a season ago. The 6-foot-10 big man has lost a considerable amount of weight, becoming more mobile, athletic and explosive, which is only a nightmare for the rest of a Buckeye division that has no matchup for him.

270 Hoops OCC-Buckeye Underclassman of the Year

Jeremiah Keene (So. PG, Westerville North)

One of the very best young guards in Ohio, Keene is an easy pick for Underclassman of the Year in the Buckeye. A high-level scorer with athleticism, length and motor, Keene is coming into his own more and more each day. Primed for a breakout sophomore season, Keene could be the difference for a Westerville North team looking to return to relevancy. 

270 Hoops OCC-Buckeye All-League Team

Jeremiah Keene (So. PG, Westerville North)

Anthony Mills (Sr. PG, Westerville South)

Drew Rosi (Sr. PF, Olentangy Liberty)

Antoine Smith (Sr. PF, Westerville South)

Kaleb Wesson (Sr. C, Westerville South)

Season Outlook


2015-16 record: 26-4 (13-1)

Result: Division I state champion

Top returning players: Kaleb Wesson (6'10 C / 2017 / Ohio State), Antoine Smith (6'7 PF / 2017), Anthony Mills (6'2 PG / 2017), Cameron Caldwell (6'3 SF / 2017)

Question: As the defending champs, how does WS cope with the target on their back, losing a big chunk of what made their run?

Outlook: Defending their state championship will be a tough task this season for Westerville South, who has as tough of a non-conference schedule as any team in the state. With the target on theirs backs, the Wildcats will rely on a stellar senior trio that is the best in the area. Starting with 6-foot-10 big man Kaleb Wesson, who was downright unstoppable at times last season, Westerville South will look to him early and often this year as he has dropped considerable weight and enters this season much more explosive. Wesson's mate in the front court is senior 6-foot-7 forward Antoine Smith, who was one of the area's best three-point shooters last year. A versatile wing forward who can score inside and out, and serve as a brick wall of a frontline for the Wildcats down low, Smith and fellow senior guard Anthony Mills bring quality experience for the Wildcats who haven't lost a postseason game vs. a team from Franklin County since 2013. While South has arguably the most talented top three of any team in the area, the Wildcats don't appear to have a whole bunch of depth, which could play a key role in games against elite teams this winter. Junior wing Cameron Caldwell is back after serving as a reserve perimeter player for the Wildcats last season, showing promise at times with his athleticism in the open floor. Can Westerville South run the table once again and make it to the state tournament for a third-straight season? That could very well come down to its supporting cast that comes in unproven, but with a lot of optimism. 

2015-16 record: 13-11 (6-8)

Result: Division I sectional finalist

Top returning players: Jeremiah Keene (6'2 PG / 2019), Julius Brown (5'10 SG / 2018), Julian Malone (6'1 PG / 2018), Malik Sammons (6'3 SF / 2017), Austin Bennett (6'4 SF / 2017), Connor Ledford (6'4 PF / 2017)

Question: Westerville North has been a "young team" for two years. Will the Warriors grow up in 2016-17?

Outlook: Westerville North has a whole bunch of quality guard play, led primarily by emerging sophomore point guard Jeremiah Keene. Keene, who has been receiving heavy recruiting interest from regional Division I programs, is primed for a breakout season, which could help Westerville North rise back to the top of its division. Joining Keene in the backcourt is sharp-shooting junior guard Julius Brown, who can really fill it up from three, while also having the ball-handling and quickness to score in the lane. Returning from a season-ending knee injury is junior point guard Julian Malone, who is as tough as they come and a natural leader on the floor. A healthy season from Malone could really help North take a major leap forward, as the Warriors will have as good of a backcourt trio as nearly any team in the area. On the wing, senior wing forward Austin Bennett is emerging by the day, and brings nearly elite-level athleticism, and brings it on both ends of the floor. The x-factor for North could rely on the shoulders of senior forward Malik Sammons, who is as bouncy and athletic as they come. A strong senior season from Sammons, who is a consistent motor away from being a really intriguing prospect, could put North over the top. Senior power forward Connor Ledford has drawn rave reviews from famous North graduate and Davidson standout Jack Gibbs, and could really help this team with a strong season. With enough talent and depth to be a contender in March, Westerville North will need to block out the noise and focus on coming together as one in order to do just that. 

2015-16 record: 10-13 (6-9)

Result: Division I sectional semifinalist

Top returning players: Ben Roderick (6'5 SF / 2019), Drew Rosi (6'4 PF / 2017), Brendon White (6'2 SF / 2017), Ethan Novy (5'8 PG / 2017)

Question: Can Liberty compete with the Buckeye's best in their first year in the league?

Outlook: Coming over from the Central division, Olentangy Liberty enters this season with high expectations. Returning a large chunk of last season's production, the Patriots feature a cast of intriguing prospects that could really solidify a strong season for Liberty. Starting with intriguing sophomore wing guard Ben Roderick, who is one of the very best in 2019, the Patriots could see a breakout sophomore season from its smooth small forward. A knockdown three-point shooter, Roderick could be the breakout guy that the Patriots need to return to being a legitimate contender in March. Outside of Roderick, juniors Drew Rosi and Brendon White are back to form for a solid trio for the Patriots. Rosi is a bruising power forward who can really score inside, while White is equally as bruising on the wing, evidenced by the fact that he's a defensive back commitment to Ohio State on the gridiron. With three solid returning players in Roderick, Rosi and White, the key for Liberty will be on the rest of its supporting cast, who could either make or break this team. Don't be surprised if Liberty ends up second in the Buckeye division by years' end. 

2015-16 record: 8-15 (5-9)

Result: Division I sectional semifinalist

Top returning players: Thomas Hickman (6'0 PG / 2018), Solomon Wells (6'4 SF / 2018), Cameron Schroeder (6'6 PF / 2018), Josh McDaniel (6'3 SF / 2018), Baylee Combest (5'8 PG / 2018)

Question: After a disappointing 2015-16 season, does a younger WC team have enough to push to the top three of the Buckeye?

Outlook: While not necessarily lacking for talent, it has been a rough last two years for Westerville Central basketball. In 2016-17, the Warhawks return to the floor with optimism and a deep junior class complete with talent at every position. Starting in the back court, junior point guard Thomas Hickman has been a mainstay since his freshman year, and is looking to break out this winter. A talented ball-handler that can score, Hickman must develop into a true point guard in order to be most effective in getting the ball into the hands of a lengthy and talented supporting cast. Junior wing Solomon Wells is developing into a solid prospect on the perimeter, as he provides length and an ability to stretch the floor. Wells is complimented on the wing by junior small forward Josh McDaniel, who had a strong AAU season alongside junior power forward Cameron Schroeder, who is polished and skilled underneath. With several contributors who could really blossom this season as juniors, Westerville Central might have enough to make a push to the top three of the division, and a deeper run in the district tournament. 

2015-16 record: 18-5 (12-2)

Result: Division I sectional finalist

Top returning players: Zack Stablein (5'9 PG / 2017), Cam Barron (6'3 SF / 2017), Alex Eha (6'0 PG / 2017)

Question: With three solid seniors returning, will Orange be able to duplicate the breakout success that was 2015-16?

Outlook: Olentangy Orange returns this season after a very surprising season last year in which the Pioneers won 18 games and a share of the OCC-Capital title. Losing its top two scorers, Orange will look to bounce back behind a solid senior trio of Zack Stablein, Cam Barron and Alex Eha, who were each rotation players a season ago. Stablein is a stellar shooter who can stretch the floor, while Barron is an athletic wing who could really have a strong senior year. Eha is expected to run the point for Orange, who has several younger role players that will be looking to find their niches this winter. Fifth may end up being too low for Orange, a team that is always well-coached and disciplined. 

2015-16 record: 12-12 (8-6)

Result: Division I district semifinalist

Top returning players: Jason Sieve (5'10 SG / 2017), Sean Marks (5'9 PG / 2019)

Question: Is the cupboard as bare as it seems for Olentangy and its first-year coach?

Outlook: Gone are nine seniors for Olentangy that helped the Braves upset Hilliard Bradley in the district tournament and finish at .500. With only two returning varsity players, this winter will be a revealing one for an Olentangy program that is always competitive and well-coached. Returning are two pieces in the backcourt that will run the show for the Braves, starting with senior guard Jason Sieve, who has been a contributor for two seasons. Sieve will likely be the Braves' top scorer this season, while sophomore point guard Sean Marks could be poised for a breakout year. Very talented with the ball, Marks has a chance to really put up quality numbers this year, as the Braves will need every ounce of production that it can get from its backcourt. 

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