City Series Attracts Ohio’s Best

Cleveland 2023 Champs

Although we were unable to attend, from what we’ve heard, Jerry Watson’s Nike City Series attracted many of the state’s top players this past weekend for the series final.  For the 2^nd consecutive year, Akron Grey won the 2022 division.  This year, the 8-person squad made up by Daniel Young Jr., Deon Horn, Jordan Huff, Bryce Cunningham, Jonah Dieterle, Aidan Cunningham, Rod Coffee and Emanuel Wilson finished the series 6-0, with wins over Toledo (67-36), Columbus (110-43), Cincinnati (63-53), Cleveland (forfeit), Dayton (80-40) and Toledo for a second time (79-56).  Akron was powered by the outstanding play of Young, Horn, Dieterle, Cunningham and Huff.  Deon Horn took home MVP honors, while Young, Deterle and Huff made the All-Tournament Team.

In the 2023 division, Cleveland claimed the title with wins over Cincinnati (+20), Toledo (52-47), Akron (25-10) and Columbus (53-31).  Cleveland’s lone loss came at the hands of Columbus (39-46) in the second game of a back to back. Jayvion Moore turned in a MVP performance, while Adias Molton II, Andre Wheeler, Cody Head, Daniel Farmer and Bedi Lori made the All-Tournament Team.

Finishing with a 5-1 record, Cincinnati took home the gold in the 8^th grade division after avenging an earlier loss on Saturday with a win over Akron in the championship game. MVP honors went to Paul McMillian IV who was a 7th grader playing up in the 2021 division, while Cameron McKenzie, Malik Jackson and Kaden Warner were all selected to the All-Tournament Team.  Congratulations to all of the players who participated in what sounded like a very competitive event.