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270 Hoops Preseason Awards - Division I

By Zach Fleer, 11/02/17, 10:45AM EDT

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A look at preseason awards in Division I from 270 Hoops

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- November is here which means the high school basketball season will begin in just a matter of weeks. With teams holding tryouts and finalizing rosters, let's take a look at our Division I preseason awards in Central Ohio. 

Division I Player of the Year

Dane Goodwin (Sr. SG, Upper Arlington)

Fresh off a junior season in which he led all of Central Ohio in scoring, putting up 25.9 points per contest, Goodwin is the runaway winner of our preseason Division I Player of the Year. Improved in every facet of his game, Goodwin, a Notre Dame commit, will look to have another major scoring season, while leading Upper Arlington to a potential third-straight district title. Goodwin is the No. 1 favorite for Mr. Basketball in the state as well heading into the 2017-18 season.

Division I Underclassman of the Year

Dominiq Penn (Soph. PG, Dublin Coffman)

After leading all freshmen guards in scoring last season, Penn enters a sophomore year with high expectations. Earning an offer from Ohio State late last weekend, Penn will have an even bigger spotlight on him this year than last. With the potential to average more than 20 points per game, Penn leads Dublin Coffman into a season in which the Rocks will compete for an OCC-Central title. Returning all five starters from last season's district runner-up team, Dublin Coffman is a top five team in the area that starts and finishes with the play of Penn.

First Team All-Division I

Jeremiah Francis (Jr. PG, Pickerington Central)

Francis, a North Carolina commit, leads Pickerington Central into 2017-18 fresh off a state tournament appearance. Losing his top post option in Sterling Manley, Francis will be expected to carry an even bigger load for the Tigers. Look for Francis to have a chance to average more than 20 points, eight rebounds and eight assists per game this season.

Braden Norris (Sr. PG, Hilliard Bradley)

Norris, a four-year starter at Hilliard Bradley and Oakland commit, comes into this season after a junior year where he earned first-team All-Central District honors. A big-time shooter who just knows how to play, Norris will be relied upon to set the tone and make big shots for the Jaguars, who could end up representing Central Ohio at the state tournament.

Dane Goodwin (Sr. SG, Upper Arlington)

Ben Roderick (Jr. SG, Olentangy Liberty)

Roderick led all sophomores in scoring last season at 18.7 points per game. Roderick is third among returning players in scoring from last year, trailing only Goodwin and Pickerington North's Jerome Hunter. A three-level scorer with great length, Roderick will be 'the guy' for Olentangy Liberty this season, who is looking to compete for an OCC-Buckeye title. 

Jerome Hunter (Sr. SF, Pickerington North)

Hunter, an Indiana commit, is coming off a junior season in which he led Pickerington North to its first-ever district title and regional final appearance. One step away from the state tournament, Hunter is looking to lead the Panthers to new heights in 2017-18. Putting up 19.8 points per game a season ago, Hunter has improved in every area of his game and is firing on all cylinders right now.

Isaiah Speelman (Sr. PF, Hilliard Bradley)

Speelman, a Cedarville commit, has been arguably the most productive player in the 2018 class from start to finish. A highly skilled 6-foot-6 forward who can do everything on the floor, Speelman will be relied upon to stretch the floor and control the glass for Hilliard Bradley this season. Putting up 17.6 points per game last season, Speelman has big-time scoring ability and simply knows how to win.

Eli McNamara (Sr. PF, Pickerington North)

McNamara, a Miami (OH) commit, is the top post player in Central Ohio and is primed for a breakout season. A talented offensive player who can score inside with good footwork, as well as knock down perimeter jumpers, McNamara is coming off a junior season in which he was one of four Panthers to average more than nine points per game. Look for McNamara to control the paint area for North, who will have a tremendous chance to compete at the state tournament.

Hilliard Bradley's Isaiah Speelman (left) and Braden Norris (right)

Hilliard Bradley's Isaiah Speelman (left) and Braden Norris (right)

Second Team All-Division I

Julius Brown (Sr. PG, Westerville North)

Dominiq Penn (So. PG, Dublin Coffman)

Josh Corbin (Jr. SG, Gahanna)

JT Shumate (Sr. SF, Newark)

Max Martz (Jr. SF, Upper Arlington)

Adrian Nelson (Sr. SF, Pickerington Central)

Tre Williams (Sr. PF, Reynoldsburg)


Gahanna's Josh Corbin (Mitch Brown / Central Ohio Photography)

Third Team All-Division I

Jeremiah Keene (Jr. PG, Westerville North)

Matt Allocco (So. PG, Hilliard Bradley)

Brady Snyder (Jr. PG, Canal Winchester)

Jejuan Weatherspoon (Sr. SG, Northland)

Nick Carlson (Sr. PF, Dublin Coffman)

Von Cameron Davis (So. PF, Walnut Ridge)

Ben Wight (Jr. C, Thomas Worthington)


Northland's Jejuan Weatherspoon

First Team All-Freshman

Kobe Buford (PG, Upper Arlington)

Buford is a talented combo-guard who is ready to play varsity basketball from a physicality standpoint. With skills to compliment his 6-foot-2 frame, Buford will have an important role in Upper Arlington's backcourt this season. Look for Buford to be one of the area's most productive freshman guards. 

Isaac Settles (PG, Thomas Worthington)

Settles looks the part at 6-foot-4 and should have an immediate role in Thomas Worthington's backcourt. A talented two-way guard that is ready to play right now, Settles is the top prospect in a great group of freshmen for the Cardinals. 

Tyrese Hughey (PF, Licking Heights)

Hughey is the best freshman to pass through Licking Heights in quite some time and should see immediate action for the Hornets. At 6-foot-6, Hughey has great length and skills around the basket to be effective. Look for Hughey to have a breakout freshman year in the Licking County League.

Jack Pugh (PF, Hilliard Bradley)

Pugh is the most physically developed player in the 2021 class and is the top overall prospect at this time. At 6-foot-6, Pugh is a bruising forward who plays a very physical brand of basketball and should be a huge boost for Hilliard Bradley in the paint. In addition to having excellent post skills, Pugh can shoot it from deep and has enough perimeter skills to play all forward positions. 

Jack Sawyer (PF, Pickerington North)

Much like Pugh, Sawyer is a player who will throw his body around and won't care about the consequences. A physical post who will bang with you in the paint, Sawyer will fill an important role off the bench for Pickerington North, giving the Panthers even more size and physicality. A standout football player on a dominant team, look for Sawyer to be ready to contribute from a physicality standpoint on the first day of practice. 

Second Team All-Freshman

Henry Hinkle (PG, Olentangy Liberty)

AJ Mirgon (PG, Hilliard Bradley)

Andre Irvin Jr (PG, Olentangy Orange)

Makhale Massey (SF, Northland)

Garner Wallace (SF, Pickerington Central)

Division I Coach of the Year

Brett Norris (Hilliard Bradley)

Norris begins his fourth season at the helm of Hilliard Bradley's basketball program and this season should be the best yet. Returning its top contributors and adding a big-time talent like Pugh to the fold, Norris has his deepest group of talent since taking the job over. The Jaguars should run away with the OCC-Cardinal division and should compete for district and regional titles. 

Division I Most Improved Player

Ben Wight (Jr. C, Thomas Worthington)

Wight is a prospect that we believe in tremendously and see taking a huge leap this season. At 6-foot-8 with boat loads of skill and athleticism for his size, Wight is an intriguing post who is only getting longer and stronger. Averaging 5.1 points per game last season, look for Wight to potentially triple that figure this year. Capable of double-double numbers, Wight is also a shot-blocking force in the paint that can disrupt an offense.

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