Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase Returns September 7th & 8th

The fall edition of the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase is scheduled to return to Otterbein University on September 7th & 8th.  Once again, the event will feature Ohio North vs South and Ohio vs Michigan/Kentucky all-star games in several classes.  Those rosters are being developed now and will will include the top players in the state and all-star from past events.  To participate in the event you must register using the link below.  Additional information will be posted as we get closer to the event.  Don't miss the action!  Below is an email that went out to past participants today.  For additional information about the event contact us at either 614-502-9359 or BuckeyePrep@yahoo.com.


Information Page
Registration Link

Parents/Coaches,

We are now just about 6 weeks away from the fall session of Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase, and I’m currently developing the event format and schedule. As a reminder, the event is scheduled for September 7^th& 8^that Otterbein University located at 1 South Grove St. Westerville, Ohio 43081.  On that Saturday, registration will open by 7:30am and will run through about 3:30pm. After the all-star games, we will have opening remarks and the showcase games are scheduled to begin around 4:00pm (tentative).  For those players who will be participating in the Ohio North vs South or interstate rivalry games they will need to arrive at least 1 hour prior to the tip off of their game.  We will be posting the selectees for the North vs South and Ohio vs Michigan as soon as they are completed.  If selected, payment and forms must be received ASAP to retain a player’s spot.

I plan to have an initial draft of the rosters, team assignments and schedule posted on our website (www.buckeyeprep.blogspot.com) at least 1 week prior to the event.  The only names that will appear on the rosters will be those players who have registered and paid their fee. Although I have posted a tentative participant list on the website, that list is not official, so if your son/player’s name is listed there but you have not sent in the forms and/or fee, they will not have a spot in the event.  For those coaches who are bringing multiple players, we need registration forms from each of them as soon as possible. In addition, I have to place the jersey order at least 2 weeks prior to the event and I cannot order a jersey if we have not received the registration fee and forms. Therefore, you must act quickly if you want to get your son/player registered. Additionally, it’s very important that you continue to visit our website on a regular basis so you can follow any updates that may be posted.  There will be slight changes up until the day of the event so please follow the website for updates!

Finally, I’m in need of coaches for this session.  In addition to the satisfaction of working with young people, coaches receive free admission to the event ($20 value), a t-shirt and access to the Roosters media/coaches lounge where they can relax and enjoy complimentary food and drink the entire 2 days. Also, as a reminder, any player who has participated in past events, have been featured on our website or is ranked nationally on statewide is invited to all Buckeye Prep Events.  If you know of any player(s) who meets these criteria, please have them contact me at taylorobe@aol.comor 614-502-9359 for an invitation.

If you have any questions or concerns about the event, please feel free to email or call me at the number listed above.

Showcase Information Page: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X4CIserff98selJqtwFyl81Zdt2eRH-2rvnT1agnc8U/edit

Sincerely,

Rob Taylor

Event Director

Past Events:

2016 Fall Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase Rosters & Schedule
2016 Fall Elite Showcase Video
2016 Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase-Mardrecus Moreland Video
2016 Fall Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase All-Star Teams

Buckeye Prep Final Showcase Rankings

Buckeye Prep Specialty Awards

Buckeye Prep Recap #1

Buckeye Prep Recap All-Star Rosters

Buckeye Prep Photo Gallery

Prolific Performance Recap #1

Prolific Performance Recap #2

Prolific Performance Article #3

Next Level Basketball Academy Recap

Next Level Basketball Academy Recap #2

Middle School Hoops Day 1 Video

Middle School Hoops Video #2

D-Rich TV Video #1

D-Rich TV Video #2

D-Rich TV Video #3

D-Rich TV Video #4

D-Rich TV Video #5

D-Rich TV Video #6

D-Rich TV Video #7

Coast2CoastPreps.com Article

Showcase Video

HWBD Hoops Highlight Video

Next Level Recap #3

Next Level Recap #4

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X4CIserff98selJqtwFyl81Zdt2eRH-2rvnT1agnc8U/edit

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GrMwKL0swhgi2RIieyANc1lplPND-tXr2O2Xngo6J7s/edit

http://buckeyeprep.blogspot.com/2015/03/buckeye-prep-elite-showcase-recap.html

http://www.buckeyeprep.blogspot.com/2011/09/2011-buckeye-prep-elite-fall-showcase.html

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FZATN6wj4p25kWbacnlRhONH8h0XCnyxprnE31D5908/edit?hl=en_US

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/7025875/buckeye-prep-showcase-recap

http://tripledoubleprospects.com/2011/09/26/buckeye-prep-report-fall-showcase-recap/

http://cincyprephoopsreport.blogspot.com/2011/09/buckeye-prep-fall-showcase-recap.html

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150306773130642.336227.279831560641&type=1

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150306813720642.336236.279831560641&type=1

https://picasaweb.google.com/108664119871257662129/2011BuckeyePrepEliteShowcaseStandoutPlayers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=893OrZogNGE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55gLOI91ByM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeL2XvHv3iA&feature=youtube_gdata_player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvvtsNZ22pI&feature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69cJqWAEfSE

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/basketball/mens/news/story?id=6193367

http://buckeyeprep.blogspot.com/2011/03/buckeye-prep-elite-showcase-top.html

http://buckeyeprep.blogspot.com/2011/03/buckeye-prep-elite-showcase-all-star.html

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150103523780642.273664.279831560641

https://docs.google.com/document/d/104-TrmBO97SpdtzsbOOuTCwuGgrsH42C-26LW_o4Qpo/edit?hl=en#

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VaSjL8TAlxmX8K2-ENQu_fA5N3VV_PzUfczSkq6alFU/edit?hl=en_US#

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZnEhfIiYvvVLb0IMqcl5_PlQyhzmN8hK-SANUrmFwMI/edit?hl=en_US#

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JWoyKBSNq9GmD4Ns40Y6EiCnr4ilCW0wfI0OtAlioO8/edit?hl=en_US#

Team Dose Falls a Game Short of Title

Team Dose 2027-Runner-Ups 10 & Under AAU Nationals

Although their run to the championship game of the 10 & Under AAU Nationals in Greensboro, NC last week was nothing short of magical, the Columbus-based Team Dose 2027 was still disappointed they could not bring a national championship back to Ohio. Despite his disappointment, Coach Tony Cornett, Sr. is proud of his team's accomplishments, is very optimistic about the 2020 season, and expects all of his kids to return. "We'll be right there to win it in Orlando next year," stated Cornett.

In pool play, Team Dose finished 2-1, with wins over Nova/94feet (43-21) and the Hampton Hoyas (46-34); and a 60-49 loss to the Houston Hoops Blue Chips.  In the Blue Chips game, Dose was up by 15 points into the 4th quarter before Cornett's short-handed squad simply ran out of gas. In bracket play, Team Dose went on a 3-game winning streak, notching wins over DMG Elite (42-32), #10 ranked Riverside Hawks (49-24) and #20 ranked Team Takeover-Black (52-39).  In the championships game, Dose was presented with an opportunity to revenge an earlier pool loss to the Houston Hoops Blue Chips, but got tripped up again by the eventual champions by a score of 52-37. 

From, what we understand, Dose’s run to the championship was a total team effort; however, as is customary with such success in competitive events, there were a few standouts, including Jeffery Reynolds (15 ppg), Tony Cornett Jr. (10 pug) and Landon Evans (10 ppg).  Coach Cornett also mentioned the Maurice Hamerick Jr. came up big in the Riverside Hawks, where he knocked down 4 treys in the win. Albert Moore was described as "key," and was responsible for doing "the dirty work," according to Cornett. The rest of the Dose roster included Michael Daniels Jr., and Jamar Keys.

In terms of the 2019 season, Team Dose has enjoyed tremendous success, with a resume that includes a 60-7 win/loss record, and an earlier win over Indiana Pride, the then #1 ranked team in the nation.  We would have to think that the previously unranked Dose will be rewarded when Coast 2 Coast Preps updates their 2027 team rankings.  Congrats to Coach Cornett and his squad for repping the Buckeye State!

While we're talking about outstanding runs, we have to give a shout out to Coach Drew Mitchell's 2026 Much Greater Elite (MGE) squad, who finished 6-1 and brought home 9th place at the 5th Grade AAU Nationals in Orlando last week. MGE defeated Orlando Team Jayhawks 40-31 to finish in the top 10.  MGE had a chance to finish much higher, but a mised free throw with 1 second remaining led to a 1-point loss and a trip to the 9th/10th place bracket.

Standouts for MGE were Tristian Colemer, Taylor Kinney, Kasen Daeger and Malachi Ashford. For the season, MGE finished with an impressive 61-9 overall record, which is huge for a 2nd-year team.  Props to Coach Mitchell and his MGE squad. You can catch the top players from both of the above teams at the September 7th & 8th Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase.  It's going to be another very competitive event!

Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase

Hardwork Wins National Championship

Hardwork Basketball-5th Grade AAU National Champions

On the strength of an impressive 7-0 run, Coach Sonny Johnson’s 5^th grade Hardwork Basketball squad (HWB) was the last team standing at the 5^th Grade AAU Nationals in Orlando, FL. last week. Of note was the fact that Johnson’s team had to take down 3 nationally ranked teams (4^th, 9^th, & 11^th) in order to claim the championship.

With a bolstered roster that included players from area teams and neighboring states, as well as 3 of Buckeye Prep’s top 10 ranked players, HWB finished both pool and bracket play unblemished. HWB’s trek to the title included pool play wins over Minnesota Steel (75-24), Sequin Wolves (84-17), YAACE-Canada Elite (57-53); and bracket wins over ASA Steel (69-52), Next Page Force 2026 (51-33), STL Knights (77-45) and Young Bucks NYC (61-44).  

Although Johnson’s team was loaded with talent, several players stood out among the rest. Marcus Johnson, the #1 ranked 5^thgrader in the country according to Coast 2 Coast Prep, logged in an impressive performance. Word has it that Johnson averaged 28 points and 5 assists per game.  In addition, in 3 games, Johnson reportedly scored an eye popping 30 points per game.  

 

Will "Scoop" Smith, Peyton Kemp & Marcus Johnson

Also playing well for HWB were TJ Crumble, who averaged a double/double (15 points, 11 rebounds & 3 blocks), and Bradon Fogle, who was described as “Mr. Do It All,” and averaged 6-10 points and 5 rebounds per game. With his outstanding play, Crumble has now built a case as one of the top big men in the country.  Pittsburg’s Will Smith was electric and added great guard play for Johnson, as did Columbus’ Darek Whitfield and Payten Kemp. Smith also played great defense and his work in Orlando established himself as one of the top floor generals in the country. HWB’s full roster included TC Crumble, Samar Dari, Braden Fogle, Derreon Gray, Marcus Johnson, Peyton Kemp, Greg Price, Will “Scoop” Smith and Darek Whitfield.

If what Coach Johnson told us was correct, Hardwork, although unranked one week ago, will rise to #2 in the country when Coast 2 Coast Prep updates their 2026 team rankings.   In addition, Johnson expects to keep this team together next year and to play in major events. In fact, you can catch them in at the Buckeye Prep Invitational next March! Also, many of HWB’s top players will be competing in the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase scheduled for September 7^th& 8^that Otterbein University in Columbus. 

Next up for Johnson’s team is a trip out to Las Vegas for the Big Foot tourney where the team will again face great competition. Congratulations to Coach Johnson and his team for making the Buckeye State proud!

Easter Secures Early Offer

Jerry Easter Jr. Class of 2025

According to his father, despite being only a 6^th grader and 4 years away from playing high school basketball, Toledo’s Jerry Easter Jr. reportedly has recently received a scholarship offer from Bowling Green University.  It has been reported that Head Coach Michael Huger extended the non-binding offer last week during an elite camp at the school.  

Although we have previously reported on early offers, usually for players in middle school, rarely do elementary school aged players get any attention from college programs, let alone an actual offer!  Of course we know there will be significant skepticism about the reported offer, and the unlikelihood Easter will ever commit to Bowling Green, but from where we stand, it’s still noteworthy any time such a young player garners this type of early attention. 

As most of our readers know, Easter has been known nationally for many years, and is widely considered to be one of the top players in the nation in the class of 2025. If that’s not enough, his Super Friends travel team is currently ranked #1 in the nation by Coast II Coast Preps. Based on his current length and skill set, we can imagine Easter’s substantial reputation has drawn the attention of BG’s coaching staff. In fact, we’ve seen Easter excel at our Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase for many years, and we have always considered him to be the best in the state in his class.  Congratulations to Easter and his family for the recognition, and we can only assume there will be more offers to come with continued growth and development.