Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Teams to Watch in 2013


Although it’s only October, many of Ohio’s top AAU teams are busy building and upgrading rosters for an AAU season that will not start for another 5 months. So far this off season, no organization has worked harder to retool their roster than All Ohio. George Howard, All-Ohio’s top recruiter, has been working the phones and fall events, and has put together arguably the best collection of talent in the class of 2017 (8th grade).

Based on reports from Howard, only a few of the players who ran with the squad last summer will be returning, as the team will feature some of Ohio’s top players in the class. If reports are true, All-Ohio's 2013 roster will include: Tommy Schmock; Garcia Dixon; Jaylen Harris; Matt Davet; and Logan Hill. With the new additions, All-Ohio should compete with the 2 other elite teams in this class.

Next Level, Buckeye Prep’s #1 ranked 7th grade team last season has not overhaul their roster, but Brook Hall’s team has upgraded with the addition of Ethan Bradds and Floyd Scott, both of whom will provide more size and athleticism in the paint. According to Hall, the team will return Daniel Davis, Keegan Seban, L’Christian Smith and Ryan Profitt. With the returnees and upgrades, look for Next Level to remain as one of the top 2-3 teams in the class.

A potential wildcard for next season may hinge on where DB Hoops' top players land. As most of you know, DB Hoops-Martin featured Kelvin Calhoun IIJohn Williams and Derek Koch. According to Jerry Williams, who appears to be handling the group, he is confident he can keep his son, Calhoun and Koch together. If they form another team, and add some quality role players, the team could be solid. If the trio joins forces with one of the elite squads mentioned above as a package team, that squad could be special. I’m sure William’s phone will be blowing up in the near future.

In the 7th grade division, Buckeye Prep’s #2 ranked team last season was the Ohio Hoopsters. Although Tony Freeman’s creation will be joining Mike Duncan’s Ohio Basketball Club organization, they will retain the services of most of their top players, including: Tyrell Ajian, Trey Pugh, Antwon Smith Jr.; Dylan Dupler; and Grant Denbow. In addition, Tyler Knetch will reportedly be running with OBC full time next year. According to Freeman, the team will upgrade with the addition of 1 or 2 additional players, but he elected to keep their names a secret for the time being. In addition, there has been some suggestion that Ryan Peaks may be looking to change teams as well, and may be moving to All-Ohio. With their roster of returning players and the new additions, Freeman’s squad should compete for the top spot again next year.

Speaking of power moves, Kevin Jackson’s Murphy AC squad was already tough to beat last season, but with the return of all 5 starters (Jerry Higgins, Coryon Rice, Tyree Harris & Dwayne Cohill Jr.), plus the addition of Yael Hill from King James, and Derrick Veasley from Mr. Basketball Academy, Murphy could wrestle the #1 spot away from All-Ohio Purple. This team should be a monster next year, both in the state and on the national scene.

Lamonte Tillman’s Ohio Hoopsters’ roster will remain intact, as Ty Wiley, Cory Baker, James Madison, David Fitzgerald and Juan Elmore are all set to return to a team that was once considered the top team in the class. The addition of Hilliard’s Isaiah Speelman from the Pickerington Wildcats should add depth to the post.

From what I understand, and despite their success last season, the Pickerington Wildcats’ roster will look vastly different next season if they actually field a team. According to some of the people I talked to, Scott Bradley’s New Birth Warriors will be fielding a summer team, which will include Seth Goodson, Paul “PJ” Jones, Garrett Tipton and possibly Antwuan Johnson. Although Jordan Mitchell and Jeremiah Francis Jr. will be playing up with Bradley’s team in the winter, it’s unclear how long into the spring and summer the two 6th graders will be with the team. Most likely, one or both players may split time between Bradley’s team and All-Ohio Purple’s 6th grade squad. If both players stick around the entire summer, the Warriors could be a tough out.

I have received no word from Gene Ready about his SMAC squad. Most likely, he will return Sincere Carry, Cooper Crawford and Jaret Pallotta to a very solid team. Also, it is unclear if Kings James will be able to find a replacement for Hill, or whether they will suffer more defections.

In the 6th grade division, you know what they say; “The rich get rich and the poor get poorer.” Well that would appear to be the case with DeMarko Bradley’s All-Ohio Purple squad, as the team has reportedly inked the services of Jordan Mitchell and Jeremiah Francis Jr. from All-Ohio Red. Already blessed with a loaded roster with players like DeMarko Bradley Jr., Greg Tribble and Chris’Seon Stringer; Purple should retain their # 1 spot next season.

Unfortunately for All-Ohio Red, “The rich got poorer,” as their roster may be depleted by the time the season tips off in March. Despite all the success this team enjoyed over the past 3-4 years, it apparently was not enough to keep all of the talent satisfied; consequently, parents looked for greener pastures elsewhere. Although it is unclear where guys like Jadien Lipscome and Gerard Reynolds will end up, right now, it’s safe to say, it’s unlikely Red will retain or acquire enough talent to retain their place as one of the top teams in the nation.

In closing, what has been reported in October may not transpire in March; therefore, none of what I have predicted may come true, as parents may be hedging their bets, “double booking/promising” or may simply change their minds completely relative to where they place their child for next year. Stay tuned; it should be another exciting season come March!

Below is a link to my list of the top middle school teams including a list of the team’s top players. I will be updating the list day-to-day as more information surfaces. You will be able to follow the updates by clicking on the logo on the right side of the face page. If you are a coach or parent of one of the teams listed, and you can provide information about the roster, please email me at Taylorobe@aol.com so I can update my information.

Teams to Watch

48 comments:

  1. Any word on EXCEL? I know they were your #1 ranked team last season for quite some time. I think a majority of those kids are from Upper Arlington, so will they be able to stay intact or will they be losing some of their quality players?

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  2. Marcus Martin was the coach of the dbhoops 7th grade team last year. Jerry coached the 9th grade team!

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  3. Ive heard that VJ King is playing with AJ Harris on the Kings James 10 th grade team. Then I heard he is playing with Xavier Simpson, Roderick Caldwell and Derrick Daniels on the 9th grade Kings James squad. Rob talk to me...

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  4. I've heard the same thing. The only constant in AAU ball is change. Teams will change from year to year in oder to stay competitive.

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  5. me like basketbal too. i pretty good

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  6. I think the 8th grade class will end up being a very good one and very competitive. There will be some wars going down next spring so stay tuned!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    ALL OHIO RED WILL BE HAVING A 8TH GRADE OPEN GYM ON NOVEMBER 10th, TIME & PLACE TBA.

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  7. Can someone give me an estimate of what it costs to play on one of the higher level AAU middle school teams? I know it varies but I am just looking for an idea. Is travel included in the cost or that something the parents pay as they go? Do most parents travel with their middle schoolers? Thanks in advance for your help.

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  8. $300-500 is a safe bet if there isn't any sponsorship involved. The price will depend on the number of tournaments and cost of uniform. To give you an idea, most of the elite middle school tourneys are about $350. For simple math puposes 10 tournaments at that price is $3500. If u have 10 kids on a team that' $350 JUST for the entry fees. That's not including uniform or travel. Hope that helps

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    1. Thanks for your answer. So getting your kid to the tournament is up to the parent or do they take a van? Just share the hotel cost?

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  9. All Ohio Purple 9th grade has added some really good talent. We have a few spots still available for spring. Please contact Coach Brock at (937)266-5747 if interested.

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  10. Rob,Team Lima Kings will be a team the watch out for. Dak Prichard and Jarious Ward are now at Spencerville. Be Ready ill put this team up against any team in the state.

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  11. All ohio red 9th grade team they got keith griffin ,trevell beck,willie jackson,brandon peterson,james mans,big boy from NY the one that played with smac and DJ and seth towns and i heard king james got X, rodrick,derrick D,tre cobbs ,vj king,big boy from ft wayne and a couple from lima who going to be the beest this year i cant wait to see.

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    1. its not a guarantee trevell is playing with all ohio i talked to his coach O.B

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  12. That is a alot of talent on one team. How do you share the ball?

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  13. VJ King is playing up a grade on Kings James...

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  14. James Manns is playing with Nova village outta Columbus.

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  15. What is Coach George Howard phone number or E-mail address ?

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  16. LAMONT TILLMANS TEAM IS STILL THE TOP TEAM IN THERE CLASS

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  17. Jakari Tillman may be Lamont Tillman's son, I think.I expect the youngster to play for his dads' AAU team the next 4 years.

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  18. WHO CAN REALLY STOP LAMONT'S TEAM THEY ONLY BEEN WITH EACH OTHER THAT ONE SEASON AND WILL BE EVEN BETTER WHEN THEY START BACK UP

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  19. Pay no attention to team rosters at this point. nothing matters until the season starts. watch it change up, and some of those names for 2016 All Ohio are wrong already.

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    1. You right! Seth Towns is committed to VCC Ohio Warriors!

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  20. These rosters will draw conflict for a lot of players with big egos. They will want more minutes and more points than everyone else.

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  21. Coach Howard number is 614-625-3325

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  22. Omari Spellman Is Still With SMAC. So is Sincere and every other good player etc...... that other programs want.

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  23. I'm just saying give me some facts. That's all. Sorry if you took it the wrong way. I will discuss DB Hoops.

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  24. VJ King on King James 9th or 10th grade? Where is NuNu playing at? King James or All Ohio?

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  25. From what I hear, All-Ohio (2017) has picked up Ryan Peaks (5'7/PG Columbus), and OBC has picked up Jaiden Sayles (6'6/C Cincinnati). Both pickups should strength already solid teams. On another note, at my Buckeye Prep Invitational Tournament the weekend of April 5-7th, I plan to have a super pool with the 3-4 top Ohio teams in the 2017 division so that the top teams can go head-to-head early in the season! Let's see who's who right from the jump!!

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  26. HEY ROB JUST TO PUT A BUG IN YOUR EAR BROOKS HALLS NEXT LEVEL PROGRAM IS OUT RECRUITING ALOT OF THE TOP 7TH GRADERS IN THE SURROUNDING DAYTON AREA SO IF IT WORKS OUT WOW!!! THEY MIGHT HAVE TWO TOP CLASSES IN OHIO

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    1. Who are they getting players from ? Metro, Pilots, Nets ?

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  27. The top 7th graders in Dayton and surrounding areas? There are only a handfull of 7th graders from that area that even play basketball competitively that you can count on one hand. The 7th grade class as a whole in Ohio has nowhere near the amount of talent that the 11th, 10th, 9th, and 6th grade classes have. There are only a few Dayton parents who are not afraid to put their child in top notch competitive situations, those kids already are signed and pretty much sealed with other programs.....so good luck with that Next Level!

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    1. Who is big EJ Williams from middletown playing for this year? I think he ended the season with the Ohio tarheals but not sure if they are having a team this year?

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  28. Why doesn't Next Level's so called "good" 8th grade team play in the "big" tournaments....did they go to nationals?

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  29. ohio's 7th grade class is very strong i think it maybe the best middle school class in the state!

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  30. Ohio's 7th grade class is terrible.......anytime you have 6th graders that always play up and dominate.....ala AOP/AOR....that's really all you need to know. Some decent individual talent, but as a class, no way its in the top classes in the state.

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    1. there are more 7th graders than just in columbus and cincy my man lol northeast ohio is stacked you wont find any 6th graders playing up and dominating around here. maybe you should get out more!

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  31. I'M HEARING KING JAMES SHOOTING STARS 7TH GRADE JUST PICKED UP JORDAN COVERT , ANTWUAN JOHNSON AND THE GUARD FROM UP NORTH I THINK HIS LAST NAME IS CURRY

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    1. Oh oh no you didnt,!! He's a smac kid and they said nobody's leaving

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    2. wow smac u got smacked up lol

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    3. Thats a pretty big hit to AOP. Covert was their best post player.

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  32. what about those two kids James Shanklin and Shawn Reid

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  33. Brooks Hall added another 8th grade team, they should be just ass good! With the back court of Chris Jackson from dayton dumbar and Storm from Piqua. That's a nice back court .

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    1. Who else is on the second team? Who is replacing Saben on point?

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    2. Hey, Rob

      Dayton Elite is Salvation Army. They change their name.

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  34. Dont forget about That kid Anthony Christian from King James shooting stars i can attest to the fact he doesnt get the shine he's suppose to..this kid can do it all he is definitely one of the best in the nation the kid is the truth!!!

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  35. There is a new upstart Dayton Dream team. They have some jv players who aren't getting minutes on varsity. Should be a decent team

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