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| Middle School Game Champions |
The 21stAll-Star Saturday All-Star Games tipped off on Saturday at the Bruce Howard Rec Center in Columbus and proved to be a huge platform for the 8th graders who made the games. In terms of the middle school game; it proved to have lived up to expectations! Not only did the game feature several of Ohio top players in the class of 2023, but also the players came to play and really put on a show. Best among them was Dayton’s Lawrent Rice who put on an impressive performance in the all-star game on his way to MVP honors. Rice is a silky smooth PG with height, who also has the ability to score the rock and/or make plays for teammates. Although his final numbers are unclear (scouring errors) we know he had a big game.
Almost as impressive was Cleveland’s Tyler Williams, who played above the rim and presented a problem for any player trying to finish near the cup. Williams has great length and bounce, which he displayed with numerous in-game dunks. At halftime, Williams used his explosiveness to wow the crown during the dunk contest, which he won. College coaches need to be tracking this legitimate post prospect now! The other big on the floor was Columbus’ Chase Walker, who put on an absolute show as well! Not only can Walker score on the low post, he can handle the rock in transition and he can step outside and knock down the 3-ball if left unguarded. We were really impressed with Walker's game!
We had not seen much of Dayton’s Kalerrio Reaves before this game, but what we saw on Saturday was very impressive. Reaves is an explosive athlete who can score at the rim. We also liked what we saw from Bede Lori, who came on late in the game and and just keeps getting better the more we see him! Lori had a good game and is a threat to shoot it from beyond the arc or get to and finish near the rim.
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| Rice, Williams, Cunningham, Walker, Reaves, Barnes, Shrout & Lori |
Although the game was primarily designed for 8th graders, Dayton’s Mason Shrout more than represented for the class of 204. Shrout is crafty, highly skilled, plays with great energy and is fun to watch. He can also score at all 3 levels and he just seems to understand the game. From what we’ve seen of Shrout over the past few years, he has D-I potential. Other players who played well included Majadi Cunningham, Marlin Barns Jr., Dre’Sean Roberts and Cody Head. All-in all, the middle school game was the highlight of the day.
Although not has highly anticipated, the high school game ended up being very competitive. Although there were several standouts in the game, Columbus’ Josiah Mobley was most impressive. So impressive was Mobley, that as an underclassman, Mobley balled his way to MVP honors. Mobley’s skill set is impressive, as his ability to create space for his jumper and/or beat his man off the dribble and get to the rim. This kid has continued to develop his skill set over the past several years and should play college ball at some level in a few years.
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| Josiah Mobley & Taylor Cafer |
We also have to give a shout out to Whitehall’s Taylon Cofer, who used his impressive hops to win the dunk contest. Other standouts included Wellington’s Dallas Patrick, Briggs’ Quinten Johnson, Harvest Prep’s Sole Hines, Harvest Prep’s Avonti Duncan, Whitehall’s Rshean Bagley, Walnut Ridge’s Meech Coble and Tramon Hairston. In addition to the Middle and High School games, the event featured games in the 6-8 and 9-11 year olds. The MVPs of this games were Wynter Ranson and Antonio Shows. Congratulations to all of the players in both games for be selected to this storied event.
