COLUMBUS, Ohio -- We continue our preseason awards series with a look at Division II in Central Ohio. With competitive balance intact, Division II loses usual powers Whitehall (D1) and Johnstown (D3) this season, which makes this a 22 team division. 

Let's take a look at our preseason awards here.

Jelani Simmons (Sr. G, Beechcroft)

This could be 'the year' for Beechcroft and no player will be more important for the Cougars than Simmons. The first player in Ohio's 2018 class to commit to an in-state program (Youngstown State), Simmons is a big-time wing guard talent who can score from all over the floor. A natural leader who will take a deep Beechcroft team into what looks to be a long tournament run, we see Simmons and the Cougars winning its first City League North division title since 1994 this winter. 

Marcus Johnson (So. F, South)

After helping lead South to its first City League title in more than 30 years as a freshman, Johnson returns as the top sophomore in Division II. An elite-level athlete who gets after it on both ends of the floor, Johnson has a chance to end up being South's leading scorer this winter. Johnson is a big-time talent who should have another productive season for the Bulldogs.

Jelani Simmons (Sr. G, Beechcroft)

Taevion Kinsey (Sr. G, Eastmoor)

The reigning Central District Division II Player of the Year, Kinsey returns to this season with a deep group of talent surrounding him at Eastmoor. The top athlete in Ohio, Kinsey gets after it on both ends of the floor and will look to lead the Warriors to its third trip to the state tournament in the last four years.

Garrett Tipton (Sr. G, Bishop Hartley)

A breakout AAU performer this past summer, Tipton leads Bishop Hartley into a season in which the Hawks are the favorites to win the Central Catholic League. A three-level scorer with above-average athleticism, Tipton will be a difficult matchup all season long in the CCL. 

Morgan Safford (Jr. G, Bishop Hartley)

Much like his teammate Tipton, Safford is a player who really emerged in the offseason. The best volume scorer in the 2019 class in the area, Safford is capable of putting up points in a hurry. A nearly elite-level athlete attacking the rim, look for Safford to have a chance to lead the entire CCL in scoring this winter.

Justin Curtis (Sr. G, East)

The reigning leading scorer in the City League, nobody in Division II scored more points than Curtis last season. A talented wing guard with great size at 6-foot-4, Curtis is on the verge of having his best season yet. As East returns its most talented cast in the last three years, look for Curtis to lead the Tigers to the top half of the City League North this winter.

Tre Watkins (Jr. G, South)

The key cog in South's City League championship last season, Watkins is back to help the Bulldogs defend its crown. A scoring guard who can stretch the floor with his perimeter shooting, Watkins is looking to improve on a breakout sophomore season from a year ago. 

Faizon Tucker (Sr. F, Linden-McKinley)

After leading the City League in field goal percentage as a junior, Tucker is back as an improved player in all areas of his game. A talented slashing scorer who can really finish at the rim, Tucker is looking to lead Linden-McKinley to a City League title this winter. At 6-foot-3, Tucker is a matchup problem for smaller guards and bigger wings. 

Datrey Long (Sr. G, Beechcroft)

Jaedyn Carter (Sr. G, South)

Jimmy Patton (Jr. G, Bishop Watterson)

Kayin Derden (Jr. G, DeSales)

Tariq Brown (Sr. F, Eastmoor)

Marcus Johnson (So. F, South)

Therron Jennings (Sr. F, Beechcroft)

Sean Tyson (Sr. G, Centennial)

Marqui Langford (Jr. G, Marion-Franklin)

Teon Jennings (Sr. G, Beechcroft)

Elijah Bishop (Sr. F, Beechcroft)

Tim Smith (Sr. F, Eastmoor)

Stanley Williams (Sr. F, Eastmoor)

Benjamin James (Jr. F, Independence)

Chance Groce (G, Linden-McKinley)

The top freshman in the City League, Groce is a huge addition to Linden-McKinley's backcourt. At 6-foot-4, Groce is a special athlete that comes to compete on both ends of the floor. Groce will have a chance to start every game for the Panthers and put up big numbers.

Desmond Watson (G, DeSales)

If Groce is the top freshman in the City League, Watson is likely the top freshman in the Central Catholic League. A talented 6-foot-2 guard who can really play on both ends, Watson will be relied upon to contribute greatly early on as DeSales graduates the vast majority of last season's production.

Jaylin Gilbert (F, Centennial)

After playing a full season as Centennial's starting quarterback, Gilbert will be more than ready to lead the Stars on the basketball floor. A big-time athlete with great length, Gilbert could be a breakout freshman this season, as Centennial will give him plenty of minutes this winter. 

Humphrey Simmons (Beechcroft)

After leading Beechcroft's young teams the past three seasons, the Cougars are finally an experienced group of seniors and Simmons has been here for every step of the process. Ready to unleash his deep group of two-way athletes on the City League, Simmons is our pick for Division II Coach of the Year, as we expect Beechcroft to have its best season since the early 2000s this winter. 

Wesley Williams (Sr. F, South)

After playing primarily on the JV team all last season, Williams is much improved and taller at 6-foot-7, as the stretch forward recently committed to Division II Saint Leo. A natural shooter who can affect a game in a variety of ways, Williams has made a bigger rise than any other player in Division II in the last 12 months. The play of Williams will be critical in determining if South can defend its City League title or not.