All-Ohio Nike City Series Championship-Day-One

Trey Burke-2011

Although the competition was fierce last week during the opening weekend of the All-Ohio City Series, the play at Whitehall-Yearling High School today took it to the next level. As promised, all-star teams from Cincinnati, Dayton, Cleveland and Toledo descended on central Ohio and the battle for state bragging rights was on. Despite the fact that Cleveland was not well represented at the event in terms of some of the top ranked players, northern Ohio was still able to field teams in each division. In a majority of the four divisions, Columbus dominated day-one of the event. Other than Columbus, the Cincinnati teams appeared to be the most competitive, and the stage is now set for some serious battles tomorrow!

In terms of the format, there were six teams per division from 9th thru 12 grades. Each of the 24 teams played 3 games on Saturday, and will play two additional games on Sunday including championship games in each division. The Saturday games featured two 24 minute halves with a running clock. Although each city brought a team in each division, Columbus had enough interest and talent for two teams in each division. In addition to the competition, exposure opportunities were plentiful, as ESPN’s John Stovall, JJ Huddle’s Kurt Stubbs and Ty Kish were in the house documenting the action. I also saw a handful of small college coaches in the house searching for talent.

In the 12th grade division, the backcourt duo of Trey Burke and Stevie Taylor proved to be too tough for their opponents, as Team Columbus went 3-0 on the day. Add to that a solid performance from Miami-bound Brain Sullivan and ODU verbal Steve Bridgeman; Columbus could be the favorite heading into Sunday. Florida State commit Aaron Thomas arrived in Columbus late, but after he hit the ground, he went to work. Thomas put up big numbers in impressive style. Toledo’s Rob Davis was the man on his squad, as was Dayton’s Keontrae Brown. Cleveland’s Damone Peterson and Robert Morgan were consistently good on day-one as well.

Dayton’s Tyler White was one of the top juniors today, as was his backcourt teammate Andre Yates and big man Jacob Rossi. Rossi, a 6’8 center from Franklin HS, is a big body who has a nice touch and finishes well around the cup. Westerville South’s Isaiah Rogers continued his solid play for the second weekend in a row, and is quietly seeing his stock rise locally and statewide. Northland’s Jalen Robinson and Devon Scott took turns controlling the paint and Westerille South’s Matt Rhodes got his stroke back today. Marion Franklin’s Elijah Macon rolled thru late in the day and wasted no time throwing down crazy dunks. Team Cincinnati is deep with talent with Orlando Berry Jr., Willie Moore in the back court. I also saw some flashes from Josh Lemons. I have to give a shout out to South Charleston’s Ott Elmore, who shot the leather off the ball in the last game of the night and finished with an impressive six treys.

One of the best performances of the day regardless of division was the outstanding play of Cleveland Heights’ Maurice O’Field. Although O’Field is big, strong and powerful, he is highly skilled and playes hard. I had heard a lot about O’Field in the past, and his stellar play today lived up to the hype. I was equally impressed with Kevin Johnson a smooth PG from Cincinnati. I watched this kid several times today and he was consistently good. Johnson has a bag of dribble moves and a superior handle which he employs to beat his defender and score the ball. Gahanna’s Aaron Jackson continues his fall ascent to the top of his class in central Ohio. You know I like point guards, and Dayton’s Jaaron Simmons is fast becoming one of my favorites. I watched him a lot this summer on the AAU trail and I continue to be impressed with his ability to run a team. 6’7 Evans Bradds logged in an impressive performance and continued to knock down perimeter shots all day long. Toledo’s Demetrius Woodley has ton of talent and a bright future if he continues to work on his game.

Cincinnatis seems to always be blessed with guards, and Teonte Robinson is living up to that reputation. Robinson is crafty with the rock and has a whole bag of tricks he uses to get his defender off balance. His Team Cincinnati teammate Macio Teague, only an 8th grader, has game, and has the potential to be one of next top guards to come out of the Natti. Although Big Marcelleous Jones does not play above the rim, and may not project as D-I post player, the kid is getting it done in the post. Simply put, the kid is too big to move and he has a knack for finishing around the bucket. For the second straight weekend I was impressed with the play of Pickerington Central Jae’Shon Tate. I love this kid’s motor and the aggressiveness he shows every time he takes the court. Tate can really score the ball, and if he gets his father’s height, it’s over! I also liked Dayton’s Jermichael Blanton. Below is a more complete list of some of the top players I saw on Saturday.

12th Grade Division

Aaron Thomas-2011

Steve Bridgeman-6’5 Team Columbus-Bloom Carroll
Keontrae Brown-6’4 Team Dayton-Dunbar
Trey Burke-6’2 Team Columbus-Northland
Rob Davis-6’2 Team Toledo-Bowsher
Joby Jackson-6’3 Team Dayton-Jefferson
Demarkio Lyshe-5’10 Team Columbus-Westerville South
Robert Morgan-6’3 Team Cleveland-Ginn Academy
Damar Peterson-6’0 Team Cleveland-Brush
JR Rayford-6’0 Team Toledo-Start
Rico Spears-6’3 Team Columbus-Walnut Ridge
Brian Sullivan-6’0 Team Columbus-Upper Arlington
Maurice Taylor-6’3 Team Toledo-Start
Stevie Taylor-5’10 Team Columbus-Gahanna Lincoln
Jaihen Teague-6’1 Team Cincinnati-Middletown
Aaron Thomas-6’6- Team Cincinnati-Withrow

11th Grade Division

Jacob Rossi-2012

Roy Alexander-6’4 Team Columbus-Walnut Ridge
Orlando Berry-5’7 Team Cincinnati-Taft
Ott Elmore-6’3 Team Columbus-South Charleston (Wva)
DJ Hall-6’4 Team Cleveland-HS unknown
Damon Jones-6’0 Team Cleveland-St Peter Chanel
Willie Moore-6’2 Team Cincinnati-Aiken
Matt Rhodes-6’5 Team Columbus-Westerville North
Isaiah Rogers-5’8 Team Columbus-Westerville South
Jacob Rossi 6’8 Team Dayton-Franklin
Carter Smith-Team Columbus-Upper Arlington
Jared Sturt-6’3 Team Toledo-Maumee Valley CD
Tyler White-6’1 Team Dayton-Lima Senior
Andre Yates-6’1 Team Dayton-Trotwood

10th Grade Division

Maurice O'Field-2013

Evan Bradds 6’7 Team Dayton-Greenview
Austin Gardner-5’10 Team Toledo-St. Johns
Jack Gibbs-5’10 Team Columbus-Westerville North
Aaron Jackson-6’4 Team Columbus-Gahanna Lincoln
Kevin Johnson-6’2 Team Cincinnati-Summit
Marquice Lawrence-Team Columbus-Marion Franklin
Maurice O’Field-6’4 Team Cleveland-Cleveland Heights
Deondre Martin-6’5 Team Toledo-Lima Senior
Jaaron Simmons-6’2 Team Toledo-Alter
Mark Williams-6’5 Team Cleveland-Benedictine
Demetrius Woodley-6’3 Team Toledo-Lima Senior

9th Grade Division

Jae'Shon Tate-2014

Jermichael Blanton-6’1 Team Dayton-Thurgood
Jon Elmore-6’2 Team Columbus-South Charleston (Wva)
Dymier Finch-6’1 Team Columbus-Walnut Ridge
Omari Hicks 6’0-Team Toledo-St. Johns
Rosel Hurley-6’4 Team Cleveland-Shaker Heights
Marcelleous Jones-6’4 Team Cleveland-Glenville
Rashaun Martin-5’6 Team Dayton-Dayton Christian
Mike Mitchell 6’3 Team Toledo-St, Johns
Austin Riddle-Team Columbus B-Dublin Coffman
Teonte Robinson-6’1 Team Cincinnati-Macon
Jae’shon Tate-6’3 Team Columbus-Pickerington Central
Maicio Teague-5’7 (8th) Team Cincinnati-Princeton
Jeff Thomas, Jr.-Team Toledo-Norwalk
Reginald Thomas, Jr.-Team Columbus (B)-Gahanna Lincoln
Timothy Williams-Team Cleveland-Benedictine

Te see pictures I took at the event, visit the Buckeye Prep Facebook Fan Page