More Movement in Power Rankings After Weekend Results

Mid-Pumas  Blue-Bearcat 2020 Gold Champions

The 2016 travel basketball season is only a few weeks old so it’s only natural that we continue to see movement in our Power Rankings.  The biggest news this weekend centers on the Mid-Ohio Pumas Blue’s, a virtual “B team” 57-42 upset of the former #1 ranked NEO Shooting Stars in the Boys Gold North Division at the Bearcat Classic in Cincinnati.  Some suggested that after their win at the Buckeye Prep Invitational last week that the Chris Mayfield-led Pumas Black team should regain their spot atop the 2020 power rankings, but with this weekend’s upset, that spot now goes to the Puma’s Blue team for the time being. Jack Sawyer and AJ Mirgon led the team with double digit scoring. Of note is the defensive effort by Jake Curl who was tasked with stopping Darion Henry, and Noah Platfoot who was almost unguardable the entire tourney. In Sunday bracket play, the Pumas beat All-Ohio Black 49-48 before upsetting NEO Shooting Stars.  The Pumas finished 5-0 on the weekend and still have only 1 loss on their record since the beginning of the season.

In the South Division of the same tournament, an unranked Ohio Ballstars knocked off some heavyweights in nationally ranked George Hill and #3 ranked SMAC Primetime.  Max Land and Blake Lloyd led the way for the Ballstars.  We’re very familiar with Land’s talent, as he played his way to the all-star game and then grabbed top 5 honors at the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase in March.  Although they were not previously represented in our Power Rankings, I think we can find a spot for them.  In the same Silver Division of the same tournament, #8 ranked Dayton Swish defeated Honorable Mention MVP Dynasty 70-67.  In the semi-finals, Dayton Swish got by Mid-Ohio Pumas Silver (HM) 67-34.

Ohio Ballstars-Beacat Classic Champs (8th Grade)

Brian Farmer’s All-Ohio Red 2020 made a run to the semi-finals of the Nike Cup before being upended in the championship game by George Hill. Carter Gray, Luke Erwin and Jared McCorkle were all standouts.  For the record, there are 2 All-Red teams in the 8^th class, but Farmer’s team has established themselves as the top team so far this season.

In the 7^th grade Gold Division of the Bearcat Classic, Orlando Berry’s #1 ranked All-Ohio Purple downed SMAC Attack 63-40 in the championship game.  Purple’s trek to the title included wins over the #9 ranked Cincinnati Royals Blue (61-56) and the Mid-Ohio Pumas Black (68-47).  In the Silver Division, the Dayton Wolves (HM) lost to the George Hill All-Stars in the championship game.

All-Ohio Red 2021 notched another tournament championship at the All-Ohio Nike Cup this weekend, but it wasn’t easy.  Apparently, there is another elite 2021 team in northeast Ohio that has been flying under the radar.  All-Ohio Northeast has a roster that includes a couple of top 5 players in Noah Peoples and Jaden Hameed.  We’re still trying to contact the coaching staff to secure more details, but All-Ohio Northeast took All-Red right down to the wire before going down 55-50 on overtime.  Based on their semi-final run and a roster of studs, All-Ohio Northeast will break into out top 10 this week.  Brent Walker was selected as MVP while Isaiah May, Quincy Clarke and Wil Sizer all made the All-Tournament Team for Red.

The 6^th grade division of the bearcat Classic saw SMAC Premier take down the Mid-Ohio Pumas 46-28 to capture the crown.  On Sunday, SMAC defeated #6 Future Warriors (53-34) and #4 All-Ohio Blue Prep (55-45).  In the Silver Division, OBC lost to Tri-State Assault Red 59-40.  In the semis, OBC defeated ProCamps 41-30.  MVP Dynasty beat the Cincinnati Royals Blue 52-47 before loosing to Tri-State Assault in the semi-finals.  The #2 ranked Cincinnati Royals took down the George Hill All-Stars 46-39 to claim the 5^th grade championship.

Another competitive tournament this weekend included the All-Ohio Nike Cup here in Columbus.  In the 6^th grade division, Danny Young’s #9 ranked All-Ohio Northeast squad took home the title. All-Ohio defeated Central Ohio COBA 53-59 in the championship game. Preston Taylor and Deon Horn paced the team with 15 and 10 points, respectively. In the semi-finals, All-Ohio Northeast got by All-Ohio Black 45-29. Danny Young Jr. led all scorers with 15 points, followed by Tre Martin with 9 points.

EBA Hoops-Ashland Tip Off Tourney Champs

The 2022 EBA Hoops brought home the gold at the Ashland Tip Off Tournament in Ashland, Oh over the weekend. Jalen Wenger continued to light up the scoreboard with a 37-point explosion in the championship game.  Chris Smith is the other stud on that team. In that same tournament, SMAC Next Level won the 8^th grade division.  Brycen Holiday and Brennan Rains were catalysts in the win.

Bryon Ortrix’s Ginn Elite took home the 7^th grade title at the Battle of the Boards tournament in Cleveland on Sunday. Ginn Elite had to get by Hardwork Basketball in the semi-finals (82-80). Bryon Ottix Jr. had a big weekend averaging 23 points per game including a high of 26 points.

There you have it. We do our best to follow our ranked teams so we can accurately update our rankings; however, we need help from coaches and parents to get us credible and timely information. A review of our up dated ranking will reflect that we are now ranking teams down to 17, having done away with Honorable Mentions.  As a reminder, we will be selecting players for the prestigious All-State Teams as well as selecting players to participate in the Ohio North vs South All-Stars games in September.  Player and team information helps us with the important decisions.

Buckeye Prep Power Rankings