D-III Southeast -- 2025-26

[Hookshot]

Since most players and coaches are now watching and not competing, what is the early projection for SE Ohio teams for next season? Will invite input for each division, starting with D-III this week. Pfloyd inched out there last Saturday (Feb. 22) in his final rankings post of this season.

Athens: Bulldogs will be improved in 2025-26. If roster information is correct, Weston Wheatley leads a group of underclassmen back, which also includes Zachariah Mullins, Collin Chapman, and Hayden Hughes. Look for Athens to inch over the .500 mark next season.

Chillicothe: Cavaliers played several top teams very close this past year (Warren, Miami Trace, Jackson) and were better than their .500 record would indicate. Should be stronger next year with Caydon Cox, Cooper Stoneking, Andrew Hammon and Noah Netter providing some experience and size. Could be really good next season.

Marietta: The Tigers 17-5 record this past season better than most could have expected and still lost two games by one point. Lose three key players but have a capable group coming back -- Zaiden Wittekind, Trey Hawkins, Owen Riley, Lucas Miller, Logan Grosklos, Braiden Plaugher.

Miami Trace:Trace loses some key personnel from its sensational season, but returns multiple key players who will help give the team another significant winning season. Key might be whether 4-star football recruit 6-7 Adam Guthrie sticks around for basketball or leaves early for college. Regardless, names like Bowers, Whitacre, Napier, Baker and Armstrong give them solid team.

Sheridan: Generals may have underperformed this season, but look for an improved season coming up with 6-2 Logan Russell (one of the best sophomores in the region this past season) and Tyce Whiteman and Owen Cains among others who will contribute significantly.

Warren: Warren loses more senior experience than anyone in the region, and will not be the same 20+ win team again. But they have numerous younger players who will now have their moment, and the Warriors will be more competitive than perhaps the roster vacancies might suggest.

Note: This is just an initial summary based on game stories and extensive live stream and in-person game observation. Please provide corrections and additional input on these teams. I am certain there are some errors. PFloyd, if you prefer your own thread on this I will abandon this one in deference to you.

[SouthEast Hoops Fan]

Seems too early for this, but the games and players are fresh in mind so some analysis now is good. I think Chillicothe could be in for 17 or 18 wins, and I haven’t seen enough of Sheridan to say. All of these teams will win more than half of their games, some substantially more.

** Coaching changes could impact these teams as well in undetermined ways. Not sure there will be any.

[Hookshot]

Seems too early for this, but the games and players are fresh in mind so some analysis now is good. I think Chillicothe could be in for 17 or 18 wins, and I haven’t seen enough of Sheridan to say. All of these teams will win more than half of their games, some substantially more.

** Coaching changes could impact these teams as well in undetermined ways. Not sure there will be any.

We might hear about coaching changes (retirements or decisions to go to a new coaching job) in the next couple of weeks. It's already happening in other areas of Ohio, just not much in the Southeast. And yes, those decisions could be impactful. Guthrie of Miami Trace has committed to Clemson. Will be interesting to see if he leaves early next school year (most 4-star recruits go to college in January) or stays to play basketball. I expect Dabo wants him there. Guthrie or not is a major factor for Trace's prospects next season.

[TheOHIOBully]

Seems too early for this, but the games and players are fresh in mind so some analysis now is good. I think Chillicothe could be in for 17 or 18 wins, and I haven’t seen enough of Sheridan to say. All of these teams will win more than half of their games, some substantially more.

** Coaching changes could impact these teams as well in undetermined ways. Not sure there will be any.

We might hear about coaching changes (retirements or decisions to go to a new coaching job) in the next couple of weeks. It's already happening in other areas of Ohio, just not much in the Southeast. And yes, those decisions could be impactful. Guthrie of Miami Trace has committed to Clemson. Will be interesting to see if he leaves early next school year (most 4-star recruits go to college in January) or stays to play basketball. I expect Dabo wants him there. Guthrie or not is a major factor for Trace's prospects next season.

As a fan i was in denial.
But I agree i would be shocked if he plays BBall next year.
Without Guthrie they will still be top 3 in FAC, with him the win it.
If Miami Trace can get either Grant Guess ( Alter )and Lucas King (Hamilton Township ) to comeback that would be great

[danicalifornia]

Seems too early for this, but the games and players are fresh in mind so some analysis now is good. I think Chillicothe could be in for 17 or 18 wins, and I haven’t seen enough of Sheridan to say. All of these teams will win more than half of their games, some substantially more.

** Coaching changes could impact these teams as well in undetermined ways. Not sure there will be any.

We might hear about coaching changes (retirements or decisions to go to a new coaching job) in the next couple of weeks. It's already happening in other areas of Ohio, just not much in the Southeast. And yes, those decisions could be impactful. Guthrie of Miami Trace has committed to Clemson. Will be interesting to see if he leaves early next school year (most 4-star recruits go to college in January) or stays to play basketball. I expect Dabo wants him there. Guthrie or not is a major factor for Trace's prospects next season.

As a fan i was in denial.
But I agree i would be shocked if he plays BBall next year.
Without Guthrie they will still be top 3 in FAC, with him the win it.
If Miami Trace can get either Grant Guess ( Alter )and Lucas King (Hamilton Township ) to comeback that would be great

King gonna hit 3 high schools in 3 years?

[TheOHIOBully]

We might hear about coaching changes (retirements or decisions to go to a new coaching job) in the next couple of weeks. It's already happening in other areas of Ohio, just not much in the Southeast. And yes, those decisions could be impactful. Guthrie of Miami Trace has committed to Clemson. Will be interesting to see if he leaves early next school year (most 4-star recruits go to college in January) or stays to play basketball. I expect Dabo wants him there. Guthrie or not is a major factor for Trace's prospects next season.

As a fan i was in denial.
But I agree i would be shocked if he plays BBall next year.
Without Guthrie they will still be top 3 in FAC, with him the win it.
If Miami Trace can get either Grant Guess ( Alter )and Lucas King (Hamilton Township ) to comeback that would be great

King gonna hit 3 high schools in 3 years?

No, but i can hope.
If these kids stay at Miami Trace we would still be playing
Lucas King
Grant Guess
Christian Heath

[SouthEast Hoops Fan]

I expect one less team in Southeast D-III next year, and further that the Southeast and East may combined for tournament purposes. If true, we really should consider the East schools for comparative purposes. Hook, you seemed to have had a fair handle on the Southeast/East region all season — what about East teams which are Steubenville, New Philly, Tri-Valley, Dover, Zanesville?

[Ironman92]

Seems too early for this, but the games and players are fresh in mind so some analysis now is good. I think Chillicothe could be in for 17 or 18 wins, and I haven’t seen enough of Sheridan to say. All of these teams will win more than half of their games, some substantially more.

** Coaching changes could impact these teams as well in undetermined ways. Not sure there will be any.

We might hear about coaching changes (retirements or decisions to go to a new coaching job) in the next couple of weeks. It's already happening in other areas of Ohio, just not much in the Southeast. And yes, those decisions could be impactful. Guthrie of Miami Trace has committed to Clemson. Will be interesting to see if he leaves early next school year (most 4-star recruits go to college in January) or stays to play basketball. I expect Dabo wants him there. Guthrie or not is a major factor for Trace's prospects next season.

Good call

[Meech]

Will Maddux return?

[Whs95fan]

Hopeful we get bumped back down to DIV but doubtful.

[Hookshot]

Hopeful we get bumped back down to DIV but doubtful.

I was informed it was likely Warren would be D-IV next year. Just ask coach or the AD what they know. By the way, I'm not certain D-IV would be any easier next season.

[PikeCo23]

I don't know why they did not go to the southwest and pull a team or two from there. In football they do. Western Brown would be one they could grab. Two brown county schools already play in the southeast and they play Chillicothe, Miami Trace, Jackson, and Hillsboro during the season already. They played Western Latham and also had a game at Shawnee State this season, as well.