COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In an all-new OCC-Capital, Newark, Groveport and Canal Winchester come over to join traditional teams Big Walnut, New Albany and Franklin Heights. Newark and Groveport look to control things at the top this season. How will the rest of the league shape out? We take a look here.

BJ Duling (Sr. SF, Newark)

The best player in the league, Duling returns for his senior year to lead Newark into a highly-anticipated season. Returning the most out of any team in the Capital division and possibly in the entire area, Newark is primed for a big year, mainly because the dominance of Duling. As good of an athlete as there is, Duling is nearly impossible to keep off the glass and out of the lane, as the 6-foot-7 Kent State commit is the best slasher in Central Ohio. 

Keyshawn Heard (So. PF, Newark)

The best prospect in the entire division, Heard returns for a sophomore year where we see him making major strides. With great length, Heard is still figuring himself out as a player, and any contributions he can make will only benefit Newark in the long run. We are looking forward to watching him grow this season. 

Kobe Long-Weber (Sr. PG, Newark)

Corey Baker (Jr. PG, Groveport)

BJ Duling (Sr. SF, Newark)

Tommy McDonald (Jr. PF, New Albany)

Lony Francis (Sr. PF, Groveport)

2015-16 record: 18-7 (10-4)

Result: Division I district semifinalist

Top returning players: BJ Duling (6'7 SF / 2017 / Kent State), Kobe Long-Weber (5'10 PG / 2017), Justin Carter (6'3 SF / 2017), Hunter Dennison (5'11 PG / 2017), JT Shumate (6'4 SF / 2018), Keyshawn Heard (6'7 PF / 2019)

Question: Returning nearly the most of any team in Central Ohio, how do Quack and Co. put together a run in a new-look league

Outlook: The overwhelming pick to run through the Capital, Newark has its sights set on greener pastures this March. With a challenging non-league slate and a few tough league games, Newark will be battle-tested and ready come tournament time. With senior wing BJ Duling, the Wildcats have the best player, athlete and prospect in the division, as we see him putting up major numbers. Duling and fellow seniors Kobe Long-Weber and Justin Carter are very experienced and returning starters. Long-Weber is entering his third year running point, as the sharp-shooting senior and fellow senior guard Hunter Dennison look to control Newark's backcourt. Newark returns even more experience with junior wing JT Shumate, who is a jack of all trades with a winning pedigree. The x-factor could be on sophomore big man Keyshawn Heard, whose development could mean big things for the Wildcats late in the season. It's been eight years since Newark's last trip to the state final four, and we see the Wildcats being one of the three elite teams to have the potential to win the region. 

2015-16 record: 13-12 (5-9)

Result: Division I district finalist

Top returning players: Lony Francis (6'7 PF / 2017), Corey Baker (6'0 PG / 2018), Curtis Jacobs (6'0 PG / 2018), Tyreese Cherry (6'1 SG / 2018), Jared Moman (6'2 SG / 2017), Tony Butler (6'6 PF / 2017)

Question: Out of the OCC-Ohio, will Groveport have enough to make a run to a league title?

Outlook: Coming over from the Ohio division to the Capital, Groveport looks to finally be in a position to finish among the two best teams in its league. Starting with senior forward Lony Francis, who was the top breakout player this fall, the Cruisers will ride its versatile big man as far as he can take them. Francis is a force to deal with in the post and can rebound at a high level. The Cruisers will get additional help from junior guard Corey Baker, a player that we've known about for the last four years, and have seen him growing into his own as of late. Groveport is expecting junior guards Curtis Jacobs and Tyreese Cherry to make strides this season as well, as both could be surprise contributors by the end of the season. Also on the wing, senior guard Jared Moman could be due for a few big scoring games, as the Groveport staff is excited about him this winter. The Cruisers also receive additional length for the second half of the season with senior forward Tony Butler, who comes over from Pickerington Central. With enough talent to dominate the lower half of the division and compete with the very best, Groveport will look to exceed 15 wins this winter after a surprise run to the district finals last year. 

2015-16 record: 21-4 (12-2)

Result: Division I district semifinalist

Top returning players: Tommy McDonald (6'4 PF / 2017), Jalin Jackson (5'7 PG / 2018), Devon Lyles (6'0 PG / 2018), Antonio Watson (5'10 PG / 2018), Remi Martin (5'11 PG / 2018)

Question: The Eagles lost a ton to graduation. Can its young group of guards lead the Eagles back to prominence?

Outlook: A team that can't seem to make the leap past the district semifinals, New Albany returns to action in 2016-17 with a cast of young players. A deep 2016 class helped the Eagles win an eye-opening 21 games last season, as New Albany overachieved. Back this year for NA is senior forward Tommy McDonald, who has been a mainstay for the Eagles the last two seasons. McDonald is a tough scorer underneath who can also stretch the floor, as he should put up big numbers as New Albany's feature scorer. Outside of McDonald, New Albany has a ton of guards in the junior class, highlighted by starting point guard Jalin Jackson. Jackson, while undersized, is a tough competitor, can hit shots and has great quickness. Jackson will be aided in the backcourt by fellow juniors Devon Lyles, Antonio Watson and Remi Martin, who have all improved this offseason. Without a ton of size, New Albany will rely on its backcourt and execution to win this season, as we see the Eagles finishing third in the Capital, with second place being a best case scenario. 

2015-16 record: 4-19 (0-14)

Result: Division I sectional finalist

Top returning players: Matt Jones (6'8 PF / 2017), Stanton Smith (6'0 PG / 2018), Rodney Tucker (6'0 SG / 2017), Cameron Metzler (6'3 SF / 2017)

Question: In a more manageable league than in years past, will Canal take a step forward in 2016-17?

Outlook: Canal Winchester joins the Capital division after spending the last few years in the Cardinal with the likes of Westerville South and Dublin Jerome. The Indians should like their chances this winter as Canal should be able to compete and win against the teams below them, while also having a chance against the division's elite. Returning for Canal is senior big man Matt Jones, who has great size at 6-foot-8. Jones will be joined by fellow seniors in wing guard Rodney Tucker and wing forward Cameron Metzler, who contributed a lot last season. A player that we really like for the Indians is junior point guard Stanton Smith, who we see having a big year to lead the Indians to several more wins than a season before. 

2015-16 record: 4-19 (2-12)

Result: Division I sectional semifinalist

Top returning players: Alex Kelso (6'4 PF / 2017), Henry Von Hollen (6'7 PF / 2017)

Question: Is there any way Big Walnut can climb into the top three of the Capital?

Outlook: Big Walnut remains in the Capital and is looking to improve on last season. The Eagles return a cast of players that should help Big Walnut compete in the bottom half of the division. Starting with senior forward Alex Kelso, who brings solid size and athleticism, Big Walnut returns even more size with senior forward Henry Von Hollen, who stands at 6-foot-7.  Big Walnut has a cast of four young sophomores who should help the Eagles soar to new heights. With a few pieces to compete and get better, Big Walnut should see improvement from last season in 2016-17.

2015-16 record: 2-21 (1-13)

Result: Division I sectional finalist

Top returning players: Michael Avila (6'3 PF / 2017), Dominique Deleon (6'3 SF / 2017)

Question: In a top-heavy division, can Franklin Heights sneak a few wins out of a porous bottom of the division?

Outlook: After a tough 2015-16 campaign, Franklin Heights is looking to compete at a higher level in the Capital. The only team in the division that is west of James Rd on the east side (and Franklin Heights is wayyyyy west of James Rd), the OCC did the Falcons no favors during realignment. With a few returning contributors, Franklin Heights will look to battle against all odds. Senior forwards Michael Avila and Dominique Deleon are both back, and should be the Falcons' feature scorers this season. Avila is a high-energy player that plays around the rim, while Deleon is a bigger wing guard who can knock down shots. A breakout season from Deleon could help Franklin Heights compete in the lower half of the division and win more games than it won last year.