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| Lawson, Murphy, Ivery, Cornett, Tucker & Youngblood |
On Sunday, we spent a few hours at the Douglas Recreation Center in Columbus checking out several Central Ohio Boys Basketball (COBBA) games. In addition to some players we had seen previously, we found several other players who deserve some recognition.
The 3 games we watched involved the teams Renaissance University programs in grades 3rd-6th. Game #1 pitted the 3rdgrade Reynoldsburg Raiders against Renaissance. For the second time in as many weeks, we had the opportunity to watch Reynoldsburg’s Gabriel Tucker (4’7”/PG/2028/Reynoldsburg) put in work. As was the case the last time we saw him play, Tucker proved to be the best player on the court. Highly skilled, Tucker again demonstrated the ability to score on all 3 levels. He may be able to get his team buckets, but Tucker is also an elite on ball defender who can also get find teammates for easy buckets. We really like this kid!
Tucker’s teammate, Evan Allgood (4’8”/WF/2028/Hamilton Twp) is a big time scorer as well. We liked Allgood’s aggression to the cup and his ability to use his size and strength to put points on the board. In fact, when we release our 2028 Player Watch List next week, All-good’s name will be listed among the top 40 players in the state. We also saw some good things out of Isaiah Giavana (SG/2028/Grandview heights), who showed a nice skill set, which included a nice handle, ability to knock down treys and an attacking attitude toward the cup.
For Renaissance, we were also really impressed with the play of Brandon Youngblood (4’4”/PG/2028/Columbus), who was quick, crafty, and had the rock on a string. He’s smaller, but he got everywhere he wanted to get to, and either scored with layups or found open teammates for easy shots. Youngblood is gritty, is the clear leader on his team, and was the primary scoring option for his squad. With continued growth and development, Youngblood has a chance to be really good!
We’ve heard some good things about Winfield Garnett IV (5’1”/PF/2028/New Albany), and his play on Sunday confirmed his place among the best players in the class in Ohio. He’s big, rebounds well, and cannot only initiate the fast break, but he can dribble the rock coast to coast and finish. Based on his father’s size, Garnett has a good chance of being a long-term post prospect going forward.
We’re going to put it out there right now; keep an eye out for Tyson Cornett (SG/2029/Westerville). Although he’s only a second grader, you could not tell it from his play. Great size and length for his age, Cornett impacted the game in a positive way. From what we saw, Cornett has a chance to be special. Finally, we saw his parents, and they both have good size!
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| Cornett, Hodges, Turner, Brooks, Giavana & Peterson |
Ivery was not the only stud for Renaissance, as Tony Cornett III (4’8”/PG/2027/Westerville) showed great upside potential as well. Like his younger brother, Cornett has good size for his position and excels at scoring the ball. He’s athletic, aggressive and should also show well in the North vs South game in March.
Newark may have been a bit over matched as a team, but Ty Brooks ( 4’2”/PG/2027/Newark) and Kolton Peterson ( 4’5”/WF/2027/Newark) were able to compete. Peterson is a skilled floor general with a tight handle, while Peterson is a bigger guard who can handle the rock, and he uses his size to power his way to the cup. Both players were extended invitations to the Buckeye Prep Elite showcase based on what we saw on Sunday.
The final game of the day featured a matchup between the 6thgrade New Birth Warriors and Renaissance. To be honest, there was little doubt the undefeated Warriors would get the win, however, we were excited to get a look at the individual players. As expected, Arness Lawson (5’2”/CG/Columbus/2025) was simply dominant! We’ve seen him on several occasions at our elite showcases, and from what we saw on Sunday, Lawson has continued to grow and develop. We did not catch the final scoring numbers, but we have to believe Lawson was the leading scorer in the game. Lawson appeared powerful to the cup and he feasted on transition buckets. He’s not only an elite scorer, but he has great vision and is a willing and able passer. Finally, we were very impressed with Lawson‘s game, and he should be an early contributor to a varsity squad in a few years if he continues to work hard!
We were also really impressed with Mykell Murphy (6’0”/C/2025/Columbus), who is an athletic big who rebounds well, runs the floor like a dear, blocks shots and finishes at a high rate around the rim. We love his length, motor and soft touch! If he continues to grow, Murphy could represent a long-term post prospect down the road. When new Birth went with their second waive of players, Amari Hodges (5’3”/WF/Columbus/2025) provided the scoring. We intend to keep an eye on Hodges going forward. Other players to watch include Nasir Turner (5’6”/CG/2025)/Columbus), Jaden Calloway (5’2”/CG/2025/Columbus), Antwon Pollard (PG/Columbus/2027), Trey Thorpe (WF/2027/Columbus). Look for many of the above players to be participating in the March 9thBuckeye Prep Elite Showcase.
Standout Players
Arness Lawson (6th Grade)
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Mykel Murphy (6thGrade)
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Nasir Turner (6thGrade)
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Caden Ivery (4thGrade)
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Tony Cornett III (4thGrade)
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Gabriel Tucker (3rdGrade)
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Winfield Garrett IV (3rd Grade)
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Evan Allgood (3rdGrade)
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Isaih Giovana (3rtd Grade)
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Brandon Youngblood (3rd Grade)
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Tyson Cornett (2ndGrade)
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Ty Brooks (4thGrade)
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Kolton Peterson (4th Grade)
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Amir Hodges (6thGrade)
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Antown Pollard (4thGrade)
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I'm the proud Glamma of Triple Threat Nasir Turner that's what I call him because he always put up 3's to get the opposing team attention. I remember on two occasions when Nasir would visit me and asked me if I would play basketball with him. He would jump off my porch as I feed him a alley hoop and he would catch and slam the ball. Another time we were at his barber waiting for a haircut during the winter and he put his gloves together and asked me to play basketball in the shop. I said you don't want me Nasir was very persistent I was reading a Jet magazine and wasn't interested in playing. I asked where's the hoop he pointed to the sink bowl. So i obliged my grandson he planted his feet and I shot the glove/ball sitting down and Nasir feet left the floor with his eyes were focus on the glove it went in but I was hoping that I would have missed. Nasir showed good sportsmanship and said good job Glamma and gave me a big hug. So at 3 Nasir showed potential in the bball game and has continued to improve as well as shown leadership and a good teammate Nasir is very respectful and fun to be around. He takes his education serious and always help me and others when asked. Nasir hard work has paid off and his future is bright. You can't forget that all this exposure in the game without his mom being a strong person in Nasir's corner since birth. She has set a strong foundation for her son and always look after his best interest. His Grandpa Dave Watkins have invested countless hours time and finding the right League to put Nasir in and the best cost money but he doesn't mind because he did the same with his children. With that being said Nasir grandmother's shows their support aunts uncles and cousins because of the love and kindhearted person Nasir shows towards others he gets it honestly from family. The scout has chosen an exceptional young man who would give his all to show them thathe was a good pick. Good luck grandson and like always I'll fly from Atlanta to cheer you and your team to a W. Love you my big man and have fun on this journey that will continue to mold you into an exceptional person ball player
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post "Glamma!" We will keep an eye on Nasir's progress and development!
ReplyDeleteGreat share!
ReplyDeleteTop Ranked Arlington Network Support
We might be looking right now for future basketball superstar
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