Pfloyd's Elite 8 of Southern/SouthEast Ohio-Preseason 2024-25

[pfloyd]

... here we are, finally!!! - Boys hoops season Below the Lancaster-Dixon Line ... imo there IS nothing better to do than follow high school basketball during the winter months in Southern/SouthEast Ohio ... not sure what the post season setup will look like with the inaugural season with schools divided into 7 division instead of the 4 we are accustomed to ... I have no idea as to whether there is a "Road to the Convo" this season - district play, regional play at the Convo???? I have no idea - hopefully some of the "in the know" folks who are close to the workings of the SEODAB can give us the scoop ...

... All I know is "official coaching" began this past Friday, Nov 1st ... the regular season tips off on Wednesday Nov 27th ... Feb 9 - Tournament draw ...Feb 17 - Tournament 1st games ... Mar 21 & 22 - State Finals ..... AND Sunday November 3rd @ 8p Pfloyd's Elite 8 of Southern/Southeast Ohio - Preseason Rankings will be posted once again ! ...

... a couple of things to keep in mind ; the Pfloyd rankings are put together to "guide discussion" about Boys Basketball in the SouthEast district during the regular season - yes, that means that "it is meant to give reason for agreeing and disagreeing" - I'm going to be wrong - at times- as to where I rank teams (especially in the Pre-season!) ... the Preseason is THE most difficult of the rankings as the committee of one - me - only has rosters from last season, records from last season, napkin stat "eyes on" notes from last season , coaching staffs from last year (we have a bunch of new head coaches this season) ... the Preseason Rankings are the committee of one's - mine- opinion based on what the committee of one - me - knows/or think it knows going into the regular season ... I HOPE people who read the rankings POST information that will change my mind on teams - there ARE 72 teams!!! - hard to know everything about 72 teams ... when readers give us information about players/teams etc. WE ALL WIN , WE ALL GET INFORMATION ... and that is the ultimate reason I see for this website - to give us information about players/teams in SEO, this allows us to showcase the names of players/teams/coaches who ARE the best in SEO ...

... I do what I do because I love doing what I do! ... I travel around Southern/Southeast Ohio for 4 months getting eyes on teams, players so that I can make the comparisons between teams that I rank ... I don't have a fancy formula for computing my rankings - it's based on what I know, what I see ... I'm old school, I'm old - closing in on 70 years old ... I feel I know "something" about basketball, what I do know is "good basketball when I see it" ... for 24+ years of reporting on SEO basketball between jjhuddle and SEOPreps I have tried to be positive about how I report on teams, players, coaches & officials - THAT will stay the same - I want all of my readers to WANT to get out and watch/support high school basketball in Southern/SouthEast Ohio ...

... I wish all of the teams, players, coaches, officials, schools nothing but the best in this 2024-25 season !!! I look forward to running into many of the friends in basketball I have made in my travels the last 24+ seasons following SEO hoops ...

... Pfloyd's Elite 8 of Southern/SouthEast Ohio - Preseason will be posted at 8p tonight! Nov 3rd ...

[peake71]

Looking forward to the rankings as you do a fantastic job keeping up with all the teams. No one else puts in the time and effort that you do.

[pfloyd]

Pfloyd's Elite 8 of Southern/SouthEast Ohio - Preseason Edition

1. Meigs
2. Warren
3. New Lexington
4. Jackson
5. South Webster
6. Minford
7. Eastern Brown
8. Marietta

TreeHugger Wannabees

Hillsboro
Zane Trace
Unioto
North Adams
Miami Trace
Logan Elm
Chesapeake
15
Wheelersburg
Circleville
Nelsonville York
Gallia Academy
Piketon
20
Waverly
Western Pike
Ironton
Fairfield Union
Symmes Valley
25
Sheridan
Logan
Fairfield Leesburg
Portsmouth
Chillicothe
30
Fairland
Southern
Portsmouth West
Westfall
Washington CH
35
Adena
Vinton County
Manchester
Eastern Pike
Southeastern
40
Athens
Trimble
Lucasville Valley
New Boston
South Gallia
45
Waterford
Peebles
Rdsville Eastern
South Point
Portsmouth Notre Dame
50
Federal Hocking
Lynchburg Clay
Paint Valley
Huntington
River Valley
55
McClain
Belpre
Rock Hill
Coal Grove
Northwest
60
Oak Hill
Ironton St. Joseph
Whiteoak
Wellston
Crooksville
65
Miller
Green
Portsmouth East
Ripley
West Union
70
Alexander
Portsmouth Clay

... we have 3+ weeks before the regular season tips off ... between now and then we have scrimmages/foundation games to help give us an idea of who the "newcomers" - freshmen/sophs/juniors , last seasons JV players moving up to varsity who will be an impact on teams play this season ... the hope is that many of you WILL post names/teams who may be ranked down the list who are considerably better than last season and this preseason's rankings ... any information on the bottom 1/3 of the teams is appreciated ... I KNOW of some players that have injuries from soccer/football season or I have information of players who are not playing (some choosing to focus on another sport, some leaving high school early to start careers at the next level) I didn't let this information hurt teams in the preseason rankings - yet ... this will come when regular season play starts and the committee takes those things into consider based on the outcome of games/play on the court ... let the beatings begin!!!

Welcome Back !!! enjoy the hoops Below the Lancaster-Dixon Line in 2024-25 !!!

[danicalifornia]

Looks good. I’d probably shuttle around the SVC a bit, but I think it’s good overall.

I’d go:

ZT
Unioto
Westfall
Southeastern
Piketon
Huntington
Adena
Paint Valley (unless Robertson is able to play)

Adena and Piketon had their top returners transfer out, but I think Henry can help Piketon be more competitive. And Robertson may not be able to play for PV depending on the severity of his football injury, so it could be tough for them if he can’t play. If he can, move them up a couple of spots.

[peake71]

I think it looks good, of course I think the Peake should be a little higher but will have to prove it.
Meigs will be tough to handle with the new coach and the returning players. Now you add a 6'8" player like Carson Davis they will be the team to beat. IMO

[Ironman92]

So Meigs is #1….the next best team listed in TVC Ohio is Nelsonville. VC low as I’ve ever seen you have them. Wellston, RV and Alexander bad.

Hope their non conference preps them for tourney run, but then again their are like 15 divisions so that stuff shouldn’t matter as much.

[danicalifornia]

So Meigs is #1….the next best team listed in TVC Ohio is Nelsonville. VC low as I’ve ever seen you have them. Wellston, RV and Alexander bad.

Hope their non conference preps them for tourney run, but then again their are like 15 divisions so that stuff shouldn’t matter as much.

Well, could make for a more difficult draw if they use RPI again…but, then the Cincinnati schools could complain again like they did in soccer and get it wiped out here too.

[Ironman92]

Jackson at #4….that will take some time 3 key starters are still playing football. Not sure if big sophomore Crabtree is able to play from injury. Key guard off the bench broke ankle in football.

Jackson will be prepped and ready, but it’s going to take some time I’d imagine.

[danicalifornia]

Unioto at #11 is probably close to where they’ll end up, but could be a slow start

I’m not sure when KB Perkins will be able to play, but he is playing after an injury in baseball. Also, a new style with Coach Combs, even with Coach Easterday sticking around with the coaching change should help a good bit to make it an easy transition.

I think the rest made it through football healthy besides bumps and bruises, thankfully.

[pfloyd]

Jackson at #4….that will take some time 3 key starters are still playing football. Not sure if big sophomore Crabtree is able to play from injury. Key guard off the bench broke ankle in football.

Jackson will be prepped and ready, but it’s going to take some time I’d imagine.

... Coach Morrow's Ironmen will definitely be playing catchup for the first half of the season with Seimetz/Woodard/Wolford going deep into the football post season ... I'm assuming Jax Carroll is the "key guard" off the bench with the broken ankle / Crabtree at 6-4 was going to be THE size for JHS ... still, on paper, THAT group of sophs - once they get into hoops shape - are outstanding, make the Ironmen a top 8 team ...

... on a side note - IT'S DARN GOOD TO SEE A POST FROM YOU I92 ! the FAC & SHAC information/voice of reason guy - good to see you! and congratulations on another great Fall season!

[pfloyd]

So Meigs is #1….the next best team listed in TVC Ohio is Nelsonville. VC low as I’ve ever seen you have them. Wellston, RV and Alexander bad.

Hope their non conference preps them for tourney run, but then again their are like 15 divisions so that stuff shouldn’t matter as much.

Meigs is loaded - size starting with Carson Davis at 6-8 , 6-5 in Dustin Vance ... perimeter shooting in Cayden Gheen/Owen Tracy/Landon Dewees as well as Carson Davis ... Davis is a legitimate D1 next level recruit ... deep off the bench ... saw them at the Logan summer shootout - I just shook my head and thought "Wow" ... Coach Ryan Davis courtside gives Meigs the nod at the top imo ... athletes/basketball players/shooters/rebounders/inside, outside game ... I'll see them during the scrimmage season and early in the season vs Gallia the opening week ... Vinton County - I had a hard time putting them where I did in the rankings - Cobra Sharp is one of the best pgs in SEO, scorer of the dribble, creates for himself ... Hadyen Reynolds returns as the 2nd starter BUT that's it ... Nash Yates played JV, got a some varsity minutes/not many ... no size returning to varsity unless they have some coming up ... they lost so many offensive pieces - I have to see where the scoring is going to come from for Coach Kight - a great coaching staff will bring along the newcomers for the Vikings ... Nelsonville York is very talented/athletic/ hardnosed rebounders - I was impressed with Coach Gabriel's Buckeyes over the summer - they lost 2 seniors - Keagan Swope will definitely be missed but "they have peoples" with experience/talent ...

[pfloyd]

Unioto at #11 is probably close to where they’ll end up, but could be a slow start

I’m not sure when KB Perkins will be able to play, but he is playing after an injury in baseball. Also, a new style with Coach Combs, even with Coach Easterday sticking around with the coaching change should help a good bit to make it an easy transition.

I think the rest made it through football healthy besides bumps and bruises, thankfully.

Unioto should be solid with Blake Fitch (jr) PG - outstanding, especially if his range gets him taking/hitting more 3's ... Blake Hoops is as tough off the dribble & getting to the rim as anyone in SEO - last season it took him a few weeks into the season to "transition" to being/looking like a basketball player ... I wasn't sure where KB Perkins stood with the injury (heard he might not play basketball - so he WOULD BE ready for baseball) ... Caden Cutright has varsity experience ... question mark as to size and how far along Dawson Mitchell at 6-6 or more has come ... lots of athletes at the U ... excellent JV squad last year again so - there are bodies to fill out a good roster for Coach Combs & Co. ...

[pfloyd]

Looks good. I’d probably shuttle around the SVC a bit, but I think it’s good overall.

I’d go:

ZT
Unioto
Westfall
Southeastern
Piketon
Huntington
Adena
Paint Valley (unless Robertson is able to play)

Adena and Piketon had their top returners transfer out, but I think Henry can help Piketon be more competitive. And Robertson may not be able to play for PV depending on the severity of his football injury, so it could be tough for them if he can’t play. If he can, move them up a couple of spots.

... I knew I probably had Piketon too high ... it ALWAYS seems I rank them too high in the preseason as it never fails that they play .500 ball during the regular season and finish in the 35 to 40 spot in my rankings ...

[danicalifornia]

Looks good. I’d probably shuttle around the SVC a bit, but I think it’s good overall.

I’d go:

ZT
Unioto
Westfall
Southeastern
Piketon
Huntington
Adena
Paint Valley (unless Robertson is able to play)

Adena and Piketon had their top returners transfer out, but I think Henry can help Piketon be more competitive. And Robertson may not be able to play for PV depending on the severity of his football injury, so it could be tough for them if he can’t play. If he can, move them up a couple of spots.

... I knew I probably had Piketon too high ... it ALWAYS seems I rank them too high in the preseason as it never fails that they play .500 ball during the regular season and finish in the 35 to 40 spot in my rankings ...

Honestly, it makes sense. Well coached and usually have some athletes returning. But, two of their top returners have left, which will have them being very inexperienced. However, Bo Henry is a load and has gotten into great shape, so if the young guards can adjust to varsity quickly, they may be alright.

[novavoyager]

Thanks for the information.

[MightyIronOakFan]

Good list and information as always. I concur with ironman92 about Jackson. Early season may be tough coming off of football and trying to build those connections on the floor with transfer Garrett Legg. I do think he gives them some size that will allow Charlie Woodard to move around a little more than he has been able to in the last 2 years. Top 6 players will be solid with the lone senior Legg, and 5 Juniors Woodard, Seimetz, Wolford, Jenkins, and Carroll. After that is a BIG question mark as Soph. Crabtree is still injured and Soph. Kallner (who was a summer staple on the court) has the broken ankle from football.

[SHACFan]

SHAC looks about right to me, I do think the league will be very competitive this season, other than West Union, but I look for them to be improved as well. Eastern, North Adams and Fairfield could have some separation from the others, but time will tell.

[bbjunky81]

Honestly, it makes sense. Well coached and usually have some athletes returning. But, two of their top returners have left, which will have them being very inexperienced. However, Bo Henry is a load and has gotten into great shape, so if the young guards can adjust to varsity quickly, they may be alright.

Where did their top 2 returners go? Where did Adena's top player go?

[Ukfanatic]

There it is. The best sign that high school basketball is about to tip off. Thanks for all of your hard work and all of the incredible information you provide to all of us fellow basketball junkies. You are the absolute best at keeping us all informed I will wait for the first games to play to tell you where you are wrong. lol. Great job brother!

[Hoopster98]

Pfloyd's Elite 8 of Southern/SouthEast Ohio - Preseason Edition

1. Meigs
2. Warren
3. New Lexington
4. Jackson
5. South Webster
6. Minford
7. Eastern Brown
8. Marietta

TreeHugger Wannabees

Hillsboro
Zane Trace
Unioto
North Adams
Miami Trace
Logan Elm
Chesapeake
15
Wheelersburg
Circleville
Nelsonville York
Gallia Academy
Piketon
20
Waverly
Western Pike
Ironton
Fairfield Union
Symmes Valley
25
Sheridan
Logan
Fairfield Leesburg
Portsmouth
Chillicothe
30
Fairland
Southern
Portsmouth West
Westfall
Washington CH
35
Adena
Vinton County
Manchester
Eastern Pike
Southeastern
40
Athens
Trimble
Lucasville Valley
New Boston
South Gallia
45
Waterford
Peebles
Rdsville Eastern
South Point
Portsmouth Notre Dame
50
Federal Hocking
Lynchburg Clay
Paint Valley
Huntington
River Valley
55
McClain
Belpre
Rock Hill
Coal Grove
Northwest
60
Oak Hill
Ironton St. Joseph
Whiteoak
Wellston
Crooksville
65
Miller
Green
Portsmouth East
Ripley
West Union
70
Alexander
Portsmouth Clay

... we have 3+ weeks before the regular season tips off ... between now and then we have scrimmages/foundation games to help give us an idea of who the "newcomers" - freshmen/sophs/juniors , last seasons JV players moving up to varsity who will be an impact on teams play this season ... the hope is that many of you WILL post names/teams who may be ranked down the list who are considerably better than last season and this preseason's rankings ... any information on the bottom 1/3 of the teams is appreciated ... I KNOW of some players that have injuries from soccer/football season or I have information of players who are not playing (some choosing to focus on another sport, some leaving high school early to start careers at the next level) I didn't let this information hurt teams in the preseason rankings - yet ... this will come when regular season play starts and the committee takes those things into consider based on the outcome of games/play on the court ... let the beatings begin!!!

Welcome Back !!! enjoy the hoops Below the Lancaster-Dixon Line in 2024-25 !!!

The Titans to are pretty low in your rankings. It will eventually play out.