Warriors Cruise to another Tournament Championship

New Birth Warriors-Tournament Champions

This past week, the New Birth Warriors dominated the competition at the Southern Ohio Prep Shootout held at the Kingdom Sports Center in Franklin, Ohio. With their lopsided wins during the event, New Birth ran their season-long unbeaten streak to 15-0. On their trek to the title, the Warriors defeated Mason Elite (46-26), Middletown Middies (68-30), Cincinnati Buckeyes (44-21) and Mason Elite in the championship game (47-17).

The fact that New Birth faced off against Mason Elite in the championship game was a bit of surprise, after Mason upset a stacked Middletown team which featured big EJ Williams, a 6’5 center from Middletown, and a couple of players from a talented Dayton Airmen team. Standout performers for the Warriors included PJ Jones, Jordan Mitchell (5^th grade), Seth Goodson, Ty Wiley, Jeremiah Francis III (5^th grade) and Garret Tipton.

Head Coach Scott Bradley credits his team’s success to talent and depth. “We go 10 deep,” said Bradley. As most central Ohio fans know, Bradley has been blessed with a lot of talent and a lot of great teams over the years, and he ranks his current squad as one of his best. “Right now, this team ranks in the 3 [teams he has coached],” added Bradley.  The Warriors will return to league play on Wednesday, and will compete in the Dayton Airmen MLK tourney in February. Congratulations to Coach Scott Bradley, his players and fans for bring the title back to central Ohio.

Wilson Seeks another Championship

A'Shon Riggins-5'11 SG Wilson Jr. High

According to head coach Jimi Sizemore, his Wilson Jr. High 8th grade Knights squad has a good chance at repeating as Greater Miami Conference Champs (GMC) this season. Although another undefeated season will be tough (finished 17-0 last season), Sizemore hopes his team’s defense, speed and team-oriented play will prevail over tough league rivals such as Lakota Plains and Lakota Hopewell. With all but one starter returning from last season, the Knights are off to a 4-0 start so far this season. “We have a very good chance of repeating, but [going] undefeated; everybody is out to get us,” said Sizemore. With respect to the GMC tournament, “We will be tough to beat,” added Sizemore.

Although the Knights are enjoying balanced scoring (in 4 games there have been 3 different leading scores), the team leader is A’Shon Riggens, a 5’10 combo guard who is listed among Buckeye Prep’s Top 30 players. According to Sizemore, “A’Shon could average 20 plus points per game if he was not so unselfish.” Riggins is certainly no stranger to Buckeye Prep, as we have seen him play at a high level an both AAU events and at our elite showcases. With his play, Riggins has continued to make his case for the top spot in his class. The other starters on that Knights' team include: Ryan Robinson (5’8 PG), Landon Stephens (5’11 SG), Brooks Robinson 5’10 PF) and Isiah Murph (6’1 PF). Good luck to the Knights and their fans as they pursue their second consecutive championship.

Gibbs Suffers Season Ending Injury

Jack Gibbs-Junior Guard 

Less than one minute into the game with Dublin Scioto on Friday night, junior guard Jack Gibbs went up for a layup, twisted his body awkwardly, and was later diagnosed with an ACL tear.  According to Jack Gibbs Sr., Jack junior could be sidelined for up to 9 months recovering from the injury. A MRI yesterday confirmed the injury, and a surgery could be scheduled within a week. As previously reported by Buckeye Prep, Gibbs was being heavily recruited my several MAC schools. Our prayers and well wishes go out to Gibbs and his family for a quick and complete recovery!!

7th Grade Knights Dominate Early

7th Grade King Jr. High Knights

With a front line featuring players 6’3, 6’2 and 6’2, it’s perfectly understandable why King Jr. High’s 7th grade squad has dominated its competition so far this season. The suburban Cincinnati school is already 4-0, with four, 40+ point victories, including a 69-8 drubbing of Wilmington yesterday. Coach Kenny Anderson’s team has wins over Bishop Fenwick, North College Hill, Springboro and Wilmington. The Knights’ size, superior guard play and unselfish approach has them off to a fantastic start to the 2011/2012 basketball season.


Tyler Knecht-6'2 WF King Mills Jr. High

Up front for the Knights are 6’3 Jaden Sayles, 6’2 Tyler Knecht and 6’2 Matt Sichterman. In the backcourt is Tyler Mitchell, a dynamic guard with excellent vision and creative passing and Foster Martin. Buckeye Prep is very familiar with Mitchell and Knecht, as they both participated in the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase in September, where their stellar play garnered them all-star game nods, MVP honors, and solidified their place among the top thirty 7th graders in the state (updated rankings coming soon). Sayles has also been identified as one of the state’s top 7th graders. The rest of the Knights’ roster includes: Gabe Stacy (4'1 G), Kyle Philpot (5'6 G), Marguire Stinson (5'6 G), Avery Roe (5'6 F), and Dan Sichteman (6'1 G/F). Congratulations to coach Anderson and the Knights for their early success.

Tyler Mitchell 5'4 PG King Mills Jr. High


Highlight Videos:

vs Bishop Fenwick
vs North College Hill
vs Springboro
vs Wilmington

Warriors Off to a Fast Start

New Birth Warriors-Tournament Champions

With his most talented team in the last couple of years, Scott Bradley has his 6th grade New Birth Warriors squad off to a fast start, as evidenced by the team’s convincing wins at the Thanksgiving Pre Season Tournament at the Kingdom Sports Center last week.

On their run to the tournament championship, the Warriors defeated the Centerville Hustle (71-29), Cincinnati Royals (59-39), Lebanon Warriors (45-7) and Centerville Hustle (50-13). The regular starters (so far) on that team include: Ty Wiley (Columbus), Jordon Mitchell (Blacklick), Seth Goodson (Gahanna), Garrett Tipton (Teas Valley), Randy “Trey” Overson (Gahanna) and Jeremiah Francis III (Berwick). Congratulations to Coach Bradley and his team.

Ohio's Top Multi-Sport Athletes

Nigel Hayes-6'7 Junior Toledo Whitmer

As most of you have heard by now, a couple of weeks ago Cincinnati’s Taft’s Aldolphus Washington chose football at Ohio State, over solid D-I basketball offers. Although Washington was a beast on the hardwood, he was even more imposing on the football field. A look at some of Ohio’s top ballers clearly reflects a number of players who possess the skills and/or size to compete in multiple sports at the college level.

Below is Prep Spotlight’s John Stovall’s list of the top 12 players in the Buckeye State that currently play multiple sports, and who have the ability to play those sports at the next level. To make his list, players must meet the following prerequisites: 1) Player must be a "star" in both sports; 2) They should also have D1 interest in both sports; and 3) the list is based on level of college interest in each sport combined.

Alolphus Washington-6'4 Sr. OSU Commit

Top 12 Multi-Sport Athletes:

1. Nigel Hayes 6'7 Jr. Toledo Whitmer - Basketball/Football
2. Adolphus Washington 6'4 Sr. Cincinnati Taft - Football/Basketball - committed to Ohio State football
3. Zach Garber 6'8 Jr. Vanlue - Basketball/Football
4. Reggie McAdams 6'6 Sr. Elida - Basketball/Football - signed with Akron basketball
5. Deshone Kizer 6'5 So. Toledo Central Catholic - Football/Basketball/Baseball
6. Jae'Sean Tate 6'4 So. Pickerington Central - Basketball/Football
7. Jordan Lauf 6'4 Jr. Napolean - Basketball/Soccer
8. Pharoah Brown 6'6 Sr. Lynhurst Brush - Football/Basketball
9. Matt Bingaya 6'4 Sr. Delaware Hayes - Basketball/Football - signed with Morehead State basketball
10. Taylor Decker 6'8 Sr. Vandalia Butler - Football/Basketball - committed to Notre Dame football
11. Leroy Alexander 6'0 Sr. Toledo Whitmer - Football/Basketball
12. Dwayne Stanford 6'5 Sr. Cincinnati Taft - Football/Basketball - committed to Oregon football

Stoval's 12 Breakout Players

Rasheed Brooks 6'4 WF'G  Logged in a Big Fall

Prep Spotlight’s John Stoval has put together a list of his “12 breakout players for this year.” Below is his list:

1)  Rasheed Brooks 6'4 Sr. WF/WG - Lexington: After a great fall Brooks could have a huge winter for Lexington. He is a long, athletic and skilled wing that is hard to handle on the high school level. He has already gained a lot of momentum from college coaches.

2) Crishawn Clark 6'2 Jr. WG - Huber Heights Wayne: With graduation having taken the majority of the scoring from last year's Wayne team, Look for Clark to take on a much bigger role this year. Clark is long, athletic and improving all the time.

3) Devantah Williams 6'3 Sr. WG - Canton McKinley: Williams is another long and athletic wing with a penchant for scoring. He had a decent year last year but has improved and could explode in 2012.

4) Carter Smith 5'9 Sr. PG - Upper Arlington: Solid PG that has had a secondary role at UA so far. He should be option 1 this year. Summer and Fall performance says he is ready for the role.

5) Devonte Isom 6'4 Sr. WF - Cleveland East Tech: A lefty wing that is athletic and has solid skills. A good scorer that should be able to destroy the Cleveland City League.

6) Allen Harper 6'4 Sr. WF - Cleveland Central Catholic: With Anton Grady gone someone must step up. Harper has the talent to be good. If he is more assertive college coaches will come a calling too.

7) Roy Alexander 6'2 Sr. WG - Columbus Walnut Ridge: The pieces have come together for Alexander. A strong and athletic guard that can score inside and outside.

8) Mike Davis 5'11 Sr. WG - Garfield Heights : Mike has always been good but he now has the opportunity to turn Garfield Heights into his team this year. He is explosive.

9) Austin Gardner 5'11 Jr. PG - Toledo St. John: Smooth PG has really improved. He will be a key for St. John this year. I think he is ready for the big time.

10) Marquiez Lawrence 6'7 Jr. PF - Columbus Walnut Ridge: Long and athletic post played behind Elijah Macon last year. Has a chance to show his talent this year.

11) Aaron Jackson 6'4 Jr. WF - Gahanna Lincoln: Even though he is the tallest player on his team, Jackson is best on the perimeter 17 feet and in. The offense should go through him this season.

12) Eric Tivis 6'3 Jr. WF/WG - Cincinnati Princeton: After moving to St. Louis for a year Tivis returns and Princeton needs him. He is an athletic wing that can score.