Monday, February 25, 2019

Buckeye Prep Invitational Tournament to Sell Out


NEO Youth Elite Showcase Day-Two Standouts

Carter, Ward, Allen, Whitfield, Johnson & Keel
On Sunday at the NEO Youth Elite Showcase, a number of other players separated themselves from the pack and logged in standout performances. Below is a list of some of the standout players we saw on day-two of the event.  Congratulations to Sonny Johnson and his staff for putting out a great event!

Day-Two Standout Performers

Name
Grade
Height/Position
City/State
Jaylohn Allen
6thGrade
5’3”/PG
Ypsilanti, MI
Jordan Dean
6thGrade
5’3”/PG
Kansas City, MO
Luke Wilson
6thGrade
5’8”/C
Loraine, OH
Charles Steward
6thGrade
4’5”/PG
Milwaukie, WI
Warren Keel
6thGrade
5’1”/PG
Boston, MA
Peyton Kemp
5thGrade
5’1”/PG
Clinton Twp, MI
Darek Whitfield
5thGrade
4’9”/PG
Columbus, OH
Howard Williams
5thGrade
5’5”/WF
Chicago, IL
TJ Crumble
5thGrade
5’11”/C
Cleveland, OH
Jahvon Johnson
5thGrade
5’2”/PG
Milwaukie, WI
Elijah Carter
8thGrade
6’0”/PG
Pickerington, OH
Quadress Ward
8thGrade
5’9”/SG
Canton, OH
Amari Tran
7thGrade
5’4/CG
Boston, MA
Tamar Washington
6thGrade
4’11”/PG
Boston, MA
Joseph White
7thGrade
5’7”/PG
Chicago, IL
Malsi Pearson
5thGarde
4’11”/PG
Akron, OH
Brayln Albritton
5thGrade
CG
Milwaukie, WI
Scoop Smith
5thGrade
PG
Pennsylvania
Takis Tyler
5thGrade
PG
Milwaukie, WI
Charles Vabderlin
8thGrade
Unknown
Ohio
Jujuan Ray
8thGrade
Unknown
Ohio

Sunday, February 24, 2019

NEO Youth Elite Day One Standout Performers

Darryn Peterson, Marcus Johnson, Jerry Easter Jr., Jordan Langford & King Young
On Saturday, we had the opportunity to check out the day one action at the NEO Youth Elite Showcase at Garfield Heights HS near Cleveland, OH.  Once again, Sonny Johnson and his staff attracted a talented field of statewide and national players.  One of the better players we saw all day was Darryn Peterson (5’8”/PG/2026/Canton) who dominated the 5th grade division. Blessed with great size for his position, Peterson showed the ability to score at 3 levels.  He also handles the ball well, plays with good pace and shoots from beyond the arc at a high rate.  Bottom line, this kid has loads of potential!  Any discussion of domination has to include Marcus Johnson (5’3”/PG/2026/Cleveland), who, although just a 5th grader, had his way in the 6th grade division.  A pure score best describes what we saw on Saturday.  Johnson shoots it well, and is strong enough to finish near the cup.  Johnson more than lived up to his hefty national reputation.

The book has long been written on Jerry Easter Jr. (6'0”/PG/2025/Toledo). A nationally know talent for several years, Easter delivered on opening day.  Super skilled with a high basketball IQ is what we saw.  Easter is clearly one of the best players in his class nationally. We were also really impressed with the ball skills of Aidan Enoch (5’2”/PG/2023/Hermitage, PA), who wowed the crowd with his ability to handle the rock and to create space from his defender.  He’s not just a showman with the ball; he can knock down deep treys off the bounce, he’s crafty, and is an able and willing passer. We also saw some good things from Quintin Walton (6’0”/WF/2023/Akron), who has good length, is a fluid athlete, has great court vision and loves to attack the basket.

We spent a lot of our time with the 3rd/4th grade division and we were pleased with the depth of talent of the youngest group at the event.  One of the best players we saw was Kamari Roberts (SG/2027/Louisville, KY), who showed an elite skill set and ability to play with pace and poise beyond his years.  Roberts has good size, is already changing speed and direction like a much older player, and exhibited solid ball skills. King Young (4’6”/PG/2027/Maple Heights, OH) was another good young player with advanced skills and understanding of the game. Young is quick, savvy and he already understands how to change speeds.  We plan to keep an eye on Jamar Keyes Jr. (5’3”/PF/2027/Barberton, OH).  Keyes was the biggest player in the division, and he used his great size to dominate the boards.  He also showed the ability to either push the rock in transition or outlet the ball for easy layups.  If he continues to grow and develop, keyes could be a good one.

Other talented 4th graders included Jordan Langford (4’8”/PG/2027/Perrysburg, OH). Langford has a solid handle and was strong enough to avoid being knocked off the ball.  He also demonstrated the ability to execute the step back jump shot at an early age.  We were also impressed with Darian Shy (4’6”/SG/2027/Louisville, KY), who was one of several standout ballers from the Bluegrass State. Shy was strong with the ball in transition and while driving to the cup, and demonstrated the ability to knock down 3-pointers and hit the midrange shot.  Other young standouts included Abraham Howard (4’11’/PG/2027/Berea, KY), Donovan Ford (4’9”/WF/2028/Bouie, MD), Peyton Howell (4’11’/PG/2027/NEW York, NY). Jeremy Presley (PG/2027/Louisville, KY), Marlon Jackson (PG/2028/Cleveland, Oh). There were a number of day-one standouts that we saw and did not see.  Below is a complete list of the players who separated themselves on opening day.  Tomorrow we will try and get a better look at older players.  Stay tuned.
Day-One Standouts

Name
Grade
Height/Position
City
Darryn Peterson
5th
5’8”/SG
Canton, OH
Marcus Johnson
5th
5’3”/PG
Garfield Heights, OH
Jerry Easter Jr.
6th
6'0”/PG
Toledo, OH
CJ Thomas
6th
4’8”/PG
Chicago, IL
King Young
4th
4’6”/PG
Maple Heights, OH
Jamar Keyes Jr.
4th
5’3”/PF/C
Barberton, OH
Abraham Howard
4th
4’11”/PG
Beria, KY
Donovan Ford
3rd
4’9”/WF
Bouie, MD
Carlos Vaughn Jr.
4th
5’4”/WF
Cleveland, OH
Peyton Howell
4th
4’11”/PG
New York, NY
Jordan Langford
4th
4’8”/PG
Perrysburg, OH
Blake McPherson
4th
4’8”/PG
Chicago, IL
Darian Shy
4th
4’6”/SG
Louisville, KY
Ja’Neal Baker
3rd
4’11”/WF
Akron, OH
Braylon Johnson
7th
6’0”/WF
Painesville, OH
Payton Kemp
8th
5’1”/CG
Clinton Township, OH
Jailen Outlaw
8th
5’4”/PG
Cleveland, OH
TJ Crumble
5th
5’11”/PF
Cleveland, OH
Quinton Walton
8th
6’0”WF
Akron, OH
Aidan Enoch
8th
5’2”/PG
Hermitage, PA
Jeremy Presley
4th
PG
Louisville, KY
Braylon Anderson
4th
PG
Louisville, KY
Kamari Roberts
4th
SG
Louisville, KY
Marlon Jackson
3rd
PG
Cleveland, OH
Jedaiah Pettaway
7th
Unknown
Ohio
Jalen Teamer
6th
Unknown
Ohio
Deontae Macey
7th
Unknown
Michigan


Sunday, February 17, 2019

Last Call For Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase


Below is an email that was sent out yesterday announcing the last call to register for the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase.  If you'er interested in sending your child/player to the event, you must act quickly!  Don't miss the action!

"Parents/Coaches,

We are now just 3 short weeks away from the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase! If you still intend to send you child to the event you must register ASAP!  I have to order jerseys next week and I cannot order jerseys for players who have not registered and/or paid.  Please use the link below to register your child.  Also, we are still looking for volunteer coaches.  As always, coaches get into the event for free ($10.00 value), receive an event t-shirt, and will have access to the media/coaches lounge where they can eat and drink during the course of the day.  Also, it’s a chance to work with the most talented kids in the state!

Also, in grades boy's 3rdand 4th, we will be hosting Ohio North vs South All-Star games. Invitations have been extended and those players invited have to register for the event ASAP!  Those games will precede the showcase.  We will be posting final rosters by the end of next week.

Also please note that there has been a venue change.  The event will now be held at the recently opened Gahanna Sports Factory located at 176 Morrison Rd. in Gahanna.  Registration will open at 8:00am and will run through the start of the event.  For players participating in the North vs South games, you should plan to arrive at the gym at least 1 hour prior to your game in order to complete the registration process, get your jersey and warm up. For everyone else, you will not need to show-up until about 45 minutes before the start of the showcase. I will be posting a detailed schedule, rosters and team assignments 1 week prior to the event, so it’s important that you continue to visit the website for updates.  

As always, my staff and I are working hard to create a competitive and enjoyable event.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at buckeyeprep@yahoo.comor call us at 614-502-9359.  We hope to hear from you soon!"

Rob Taylor
Founder
Buckeye Prep Report