Superfriends Take USBA Nationals

2025 Superfriends-2019 USBA Nationals Champions

Already boasting of a fantastic 2019 AAU season, the 2025 Superfriends put a cherry on top of their 2019 campaign with another title at the USBA Nationals last month in Raleigh, NC.  The Superfriends’ run to the championship included wins over TM Elite (69-23) and BBA White (77-10) in pool play, followed by bracket wins over the JR Ballers (61-23), Knightdale Hustle Blue (70-41), UPlay Collective (55-53) and Blacktops NY (67-66).  

We had the opportunity to catch the Superfriends in action at our Buckeye Prep Invitational Tournament in March and could not have been more impressed with what we saw. Congrats to the Superfriends’ coaching staff and players for an awesome season!

Ohio vs Michigan All-Star Games Rosters Released

As has become custom over the past several years, the fall edition of the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase (September 7th & 8th) will once again feature the very popular Ohio vs Michigan all-star games. These games represent a platform where the top players from Ohio and Michigan compete in an effort to represent their respective states. Not only is state pride and bragging rights on the line, the players who were fortunate enough to receive the coveted invitations will follow in the foot steps of the some of the most elite players from the past.  Below are complete rosters for both games.  A review of the rosters will reflect the elite talent level amassed for theses games.  You don’t want to miss the action!  Also check out some highlight videos of some of the past Ohio vs Michigan games: (Video #1) (Video #2). To register for the elite showcase, click on the following link (Registration) (Information Page).  

2025 Ohio vs Michigan All-Star Game Rosters

Michigan All-Stars	Ohio All-Stars
Ahijah Eichelberger	Jerry Easter Jr.
Zyon Wimberly	Darrryn Peterson
Chris Mclavish	Arness Lawson
De’Querius Mayfield	Mykell Murphy
John “Trey” McKenny III	Kent Hairston
Torrey Burton	Trey Perry
Trey Dilliard	Mike Wright
Greg Lawson	Reed Simms
Jayden Savoury	Jessie Eubanks
Jase Becher	Christian Wilkins
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	Michael Maldanado
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	James Burnett
Coach: Al Eichelberger	Coach: Darryl Peterson
Coach: Greg Mcmath	Coach: Carlos Davis

2026 Ohio vs Michigan All-Star Game Rosters

Michigan All-Stars	Ohio All-Stars
Josiah Nash	Marcus Johnson
Brandon Mercer	T.J. Crumble
Taveon Vaughn	Cole Albers
Kae’Vion Wilson	Darek Whitfield
Cameron Ryans	Malsi Pearson
Cayden Ali	Dantrell Hughes
Markese Murray	Khani Thomas
Maurese Murray	Jaylen Mercer
Brayden Mack	Latrell Hughes
Mario Murray	Drake Ahrens
Mario Murray	Brycen Johnson
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	JR Bates
Coach Maurice Summerville	Coach: Mike Daniels

Coach: Kenjuan Wilson

Coach: TBD

Check out past elite showcase information and videos:

Buckeye Prep Final Showcase Rankings Next Level Recap #3

Buckeye Prep Specialty Awards         Next Level Recap #4

Buckeye Prep Recap #1         Get Me Recruited Recap

Buckeye Prep Recap All-Star Rosters Buckeye Prep Report Awards

Buckeye Prep Photo Gallery HWBD Hoops Highlight Video

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 

Johnson Commits to Buckeyes

Meechie Johnson 

According to numerous sources, Garfield Heights’ Meechie Johnson has committed to the Ohio State Buckeyes. Despite suffering a knee injury several months ago, Chris Holtman’s unwavering commitment to Johnson has paid off.  We are extremely excited for Meechie and his family, as he has participated in our Buckeye Prep Elite Showcases almost twice per year since he was in the 3^rd or 4^th grade.  Other than Lima's Xavier Simpson, no other player has supported the Buckeye Prep Report as much Johnson. Of course, Johnson was a perianal all-star at our events. Congratulations to Meechie and his family for this significant accomplishment.  We can’t wait to see him ballin for the Buckeyes!

Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase Returns (September 7th & 8th)

The fall edition of the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase is scheduled for September 7th & 8th at Otterbein University.  This event will host both boys and girls and will attract the best players in the state and region. As is the case every fall, the event will kick off with a series of boy's all-star games, which match up the best players from Ohio and Michigan. Right now, we have 2025 and 2026 Ohio vs Michigan games scheduled, and are working on the same games in other classes as well.  All participants in the early all-star games must be registered, paid and must participate in the showcase portion of the event.

For more information about the event and to register, please visit our event Information Page using the link below. Also, below is an email that went out this morning to everyone we have on our bulk email list.  If you have not received the email send us your email address.  This event will be very well attended and will offer a significant level of competition and exposure.  Register now!

Information Page

Registration Link

Parents/Coaches,

We are now just about 3 weeks away from the fall session of Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase and I’m currently putting the finishing touches on the event format and schedule. As a reminder, the event is scheduled for September 7^th& 8^ththat Otterbein University located at 160 Center St. Westerville, Ohio 43081. On that Saturday, registration will open by 7:30am and will run the start of the showcase. After the boy’s all-star games have concluded, we will have opening remarks and the showcase will tip off.

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. Although I will be posting a tentative participant list on the website, that list is not official, so if your child’s name is listed there but you have not registered or paid the fee, they will not have a spot in the event. 

Finally, I’m always in need of coaches for these events if you’re interested on know someone who may be interested please let me know.  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 media/coaches lounge where they can relax and enjoy complimentary food and drink the entire 2 days. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at buckeyeprep@yahoo.comor 614-203-2929 for an invitation.  Hope to see you there!

Showcase Information Page

Sincerely,

Rob Taylor

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 Michigan Roster is set for Ohio vs Michigan Game

Maurice Murray-2026

Although it’s still early, the roster has already been set for 2026 Team Michigan and the Ohio vs Michigan all-star game, which will proceed the September 7^th & 8^th Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase.  As we have done for several years now, in addition to the very popular Ohio North vs South all-star games and the showcase, we will be hosting several interstate rivalry games in multiple classes as well. Plans are currently underway for a 2025 game between Michigan and Ohio and possibly a Kentucky game as well in at least one class.

Thanks to the efforts of Coach Maurice Summerville, the State of Michigan will field a deep team composing of at least 5-6 of the state’s top 2026 players.  The complete roster includes: Josiah Nash, Brandon Mercer, Taveon Vaughn, Kae’Vion Wilson, Cameron Ryans, Cayden Ali, Markese Murray, Maurice Murray, Mario Murray and Braden Mack.  Based on their performance at the Spring showcase alone, we know that at least 3 players on the Michigan roster can go (Maurice Murray (#3), Keyshawn Summerville (#8) & Kae’Vion Wilson (#18), as all three were ranked among the top 18 in the final showcase rankings in March. Coach Summerville and Coach Kenjuan Wilson will coach Team Michigan.

Team Ohio’s roster is still under development, but we already know a few names including Marcus Johnson, the state’s top 6^th grader, T.J. Crumble, one of the top 2 bigs in Ohio, Darek Whitfield, and two of the state’s elite PGs, and Cole Albers.  Once we have locked down the final commitments from the other invited players we will release the final roster.  This should be a highly competitive game as the top players from both states will square off on the same court.  We can’t wait!

Johnson is Special

Marcus Johnson-2026

Last week we reported that Sonny Johnson’s Hardwork Basketball (HWB) squad won the AAU Nationals in Orlando, FL and were lead by Marcus Johnson (5'5"/CG/2026/Garfield Heights, OH), the nation’s #1 ranked player.  This week, we’re pleased to report that Johnson’s team won the Big Foot Tournament in Las Vegas, NV, and once again was led by Marcus Johnson (avg 33 ppg).  As much as we would like to gush over the loaded HWB team and their 7-0 trek to the title, this piece is all about Marcus Johnson, who has established himself as the badest 6^th grader in the country.  After viewing the video below, we reached out to Sonny Johnson, Marcus’ father, for some insight. According to the elder Johnson, “...the best part of Marcus’ game is his ability to score 30 points unselfishly, while also making everybody better around him.”

As the highlight video below clearly reflects, Johnson is highly skilled, which includes the ability to knock down catch and shoot threes with high consistency. In addition, he can create his own shot; he has excellent vision and passing skills, and he impacts the game in multiple ways.  Moreover, his pace of play, and his change of speed and direction are elite, as is his ability to score at all three levels.  Johnson has good size for his position, and because he is the son of a high school basketball coach, Johnson has a high basketball IQ and is poised and aggressive. 

Not only is Johnson elite on the hardwood, he’s also getting it done in the classroom, where he is a consistent 3.0 student.  His other interests include soccer, and his ultimate goals include the NBA and owning his own business one day. Johnson is currently attending St. Michael Elementary School and will join his father at Garfield Heights in a few years. From what we see in Johnson’s game right now, there is no reason he should not follow in his father’s, cousin’s and brother footsteps and play division I basketball in a few years.  We look forward to catching Johnson in action at our September 7^th & 8^th Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase and the 2026 Ohio vs Michigan All-Star Game! We expect big things from Johnson!

Highlight Video