BPR Elite Showcase Initial Team Assigments and Game Schedule

To view the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase initial game schedule, rosters, and game rules, click on the link below.  The showcase is going to be SMOKING! To all the players, bring your game, not your name!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Central Ohio Middle School All-Star Game Recap

Team Red

The second game of the Central Ohio Middle School All-Star Game pitted the 8th grade Team Blue versus Team Red. Not only did Team Blue get on the board first, they ran out to a 12 point lead in the first half. Just when you thought this one was over, Team Red made a furious run to cut the lead to 30-28 with 2:45 left in the game. Although it intially looked like the game was going to be a blowout, Red came all the way back and went to win 32-30. Red was paced by Lamont Martin and D.J. Tyree, both of whom finished with 6 points. Canal Winchester’s Elanta Moore added 5 points.  Monroe’s Elijah Barber was impressive for, as he led Blue in scoring with 12 points. Behind him was JaQuan Harrison who finished with 6 points.

Team Red

D.J. Tyree Co-MVP

Andre Bradley 5’10 PG-Canal Winchester
Brian Lambright 6’1 C-Worthington Christian
Dashawn Nelms 5’1 PG Hamilton Twp
Elanta Moore 6’0 WG-Canal Winchester
Joey Palmer 6’1 PF-Groveport MS
Lamont Martin 5’9 SF Canal Winchester MS
Nicholas Bapst 5’10 WG-Jackson MS
Terronte Hutchins 6’0 C-Rosemore MS
Tre’von Potts 5’9 PG-Africentric MS
Tyaun Taylor 5’9 PG Hamilton Twp
D.J. Tyree 5’7 PG (7th)-Pleasantview MS

Team Blue

Elijah Barber Co-MVP

Anthony Anderson 6’5 C Africentric Early College
Elijah Barber 5’10 WF-Monroe MS
George Daniels 5’11 WF-Berwick Alt.
JaQuan Harrison 6’1 WF-Westmoor MS
Jamahl Williams 6’0 C-Champion MS
LaRon Senior 5’9 WG Berwick MS
Lavoris Brown 6’0 WF Johnson Park MS
Mikey Simmons 5’9 WG Johnson Park MS
Shawon Wilson 5’9 PG-Africentric Early College
Elijah Melhado 5’11 WG Berwick Alt.
Shadrick Kimble Jr. 5’7 PG-Medina MS

Team Purple

The final game of the event featured a showdown between team Purple and Team Black. As was the case in the earlier game, Team Purple jumped out to an early lead (17-10 at the half), only to see their lead cut late in the second half. The architects of Black’s run was Hilliard Weaver’s Michael Simon, who scored 7 straight points at one point in the game, and Groveport’s Tyrone Cherry who went to work off the dribble with several nifty ono-on-one moves. With the standout performance of Woodward Park’s Nateshawn Hargrove, Purple was able to pull out a 46-33 win. Hargrove finished with a team-high 13 points, followed by Quincy Storey (11), Anthony McKee (8) and Jaisen Johnson (6). As a side note, the matchup between Cherry and Storey was a good one, and will likely play out many times by the end of their high school careers. Look for many of these players at the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase at Central Crossing HS next Sunday!

Team Purple

Nateshawn Hargrove Co-MVP














Anthony McKee 6’1 C-Sherwood MS
Camden Taylor 5’0 PG-Berwick MS
Curtis Armstrong 5’5 PG-Mifflin MS
DeQuan Daniels 6’3 WF-Ridgeview MS
Isaac Anderson 6’2 SF-Groveport MS
Jaisean Johnson 5’8 WG-Monroe MS
Nateshawn Hargrove 5’8 WG-Woodpark MS
Quincy Storey 6’1 WG-Sherwood MS
Xavier Holston-Simms 5’6 PG-Monroe MS
Kyle Oglesby 5’3 PG-Berwick MS

Team Black

Tyrone Cherry Co-MVP

Anthony Myles 5’1 PG Spanish Immersion MS
Brendon Schneider 5’8 WG-Canal Winchester MS
Jaylyn Sanders 6’0 PF-Canal Winchester MS
Joshua Kremnitzer 5’8 PG-Worthington Christian MS
Lamarr Fisher 5’5 PG-Licking Hgts. MS
Michael Simon 6’5 C-Hilliard Weaver MS
Rael Windley 6’0 C-Lakeview Jr. High
Raymond Rhone IV 5’5 PG-Groveport MS
Seth McCoy 6’0 SF-Canal Winchester MS
Tyrone Cherry 5’10 PG/WG-Groveport MS

Others to Watch

Quincey Storey

 

Tony Anderson



Michael Simon

Columbus City League Downs OCC in Middle School All-Star Game

At the last minute, I got word that a middle school all-star game was being played at South High School. I quickly jumped into my car and hustled over the inaugural Central Ohio Middle School All-star Game. Upon my arrival, I discovered that the event included three games; a 7th grade all-star game pitting a team of Columbus City League kids against a group of Ohio Capital Conference (OCC) players; and two separate 8th grade all-star games.

The first game of the day pitted Team Orange versus Team Green. Despite a huge game from Gahanna Middle School West’s Nic Ward, Team Orange (City League) easily defeated Team Green (OCC) 52-35 to claim bragging rights for City League middle school basketball. Pleasantview’s DJ Tyree had a monster game, as he dropped a team-high 17 points. Also playing well for Team Orange were James Mann (10), Marquez Hargrove (8) and Parell Tyler (6). Nic Ward was unstoppable in the post, as he scored 20 of his team’s 35 points. The next leading scorer for Team Green was Cole Heilman who finished with 4 points. The OCC squad might have had a better chance of getting a win had Westerville Blendon’s Jalani Rogers been on the bench instead of sitting in the stands watching the contest.

Team Orange All-Stars (City League)

DJ Tyree Co-MVP

Azende Johnson-Sherwood MS
Brandon Leuier-Westmoor MS
Isaiah Youncy-McCord MS
James Manns II-Buckeye MS
Kalib Younger Berwick ALT
Marquez A.I.M.S. MS
Michael Bell-St. James MS
Michael Morgan-Johnson Park MS
Otis Smith III-All Saints Academy
Parell Tyler-Africentric Early College
Alan Roberts-Buckeye MS
DJ Tyree-Pleasantview MS MVP

Team Green (OCC)

Nic Ward Co-MVP

Matthew Moyer-Dominion MS
Nic Ward-Gahanna MS West
Tre Cobbs-Lima South
Charles Aden-World Harvest
Houston Smith-Africentric Early College
Cole Heilman-Bexley MS
Dantez Walton-Lima North
William Maynus-Westerville Heritage MS
Sammy Tuckerman-Columbus Academy
Corey Benton-Westerville Genoa
Adrian Awuah-Monroe MS

To see the pictures I took at the event, visit the Buckeye prep Facebook Fan Page.

Taylor to Represent Team USA against Florida All-Stars

In terms of prestige, somewhere behind the McDonalds All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic is the Florida versus USA Hardwood Classic, currently scheduled for March 25th in Orlando, Florida. Based his significant hoops resume and national reputation, Gahanna Lincoln’s Stevie Taylor will represent Team USA as they face off against a team of Florida’s top basketball prospects.

Although the actual Hardwood Classic game is only in its 4th year, the event’s unsigned senior games (3 this year) have been around for 13 years. According to Jack Love, Event Founder and Executive Director, “the event started as a local unsigned senior game designed to generate exposure for kids from a 4-5 county area. The event has grown in prestige over the years.” Year five of the statewide event pitted East versus West all-stars, and 4 years ago, the Florida versus USA Hardwood Classic was formed. As proof of the event’s place on the national scene, for the first time in the event’s history, the Hardwood Classic will be played at the brand new Amway Center, home of the NBA Orlando Magic.

Love and his army of volunteers have grown this event from a 1-day showcase to the current 4-day format. Love is most proud of the numerous volunteers who have embraced the mission of the Classic. “People who work the event really treat the kids like their own kids; they treat them first class,” said Love. “It’s amazing how quickly the players and workers bond during the week,” continued Love. Love is also proud of the fact that the event is “fully sponsored by local business and organizations, is high quality and done with class.” Love added, “The event gives kids exposure to college coaches and provides the players with one last positive experience before they move onto college.”

For the 24 players invited to participate in the event, the list of activities is impressive, and include: a welcome reception for players and coaches; a trip to the NBA Center and Universal Orlando City Walk; attendance to the Orlando Magic and New Jersey Nets shoot around; attendance to Magic vs New Jersey Nets basketball game with half-time on-court recognition and three-point shooting and slam dunk contests. In addition to the above activities, the players will participate in education workshops, and will be involved in a community service appearance in the Orlando community.

Though the final rosters will not be released until next week, some of the players already committed to this event include: DePaul bound, Shane Larkin (Fla); Western Kentucky commit, Cesar Guerrero (USA); Tyler Harris (USA); Adonis Barbage; Steve Moundou-Missi (USA); Wayne Martin Jr. (Fla), Kansas State pledge, Angel Rodriquez (Fla), UCF bound, Rod Days (Fla); Virginia Tech pledge, Robert Brown (Fla) and Temple commit, Will Cummings (Fla). Also, a few of the past participants include Miles Plumlee (Duke), Ian Miller (Florida State), Juwan Staten (Dayton), J.D. Weatherspoon (Ohio State), Glenn Rice Jr. (Georgia Tech), Travon Woodall (Pittsburgh), Jeremy Lamb (UCONN), Jared Swopshire (Louisville), Chandler Parson (Florida), London Warren (Dayton), Alec Ruoff (West Virginia) and Alonzo Gee (Alabama),

If you want to catch the action, the game will be broadcast on television and live-streamed throughout the world. Also, Buckeye Prep will be in Orlando to provide complete coverage of this prestigious event. To find additional information about the Hardwood Classic,  visit their Facebook page.

Ohio Capital Conference Announces Post-Season Awards Recipients

All-OCC Ohio

FIRST TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE

1. Stevie Taylor Gahanna Senior
2. Jamel Morris Gahanna Senior
3. Tyler Kelly Pick N Senior
4. Trent Waybright Pick N Senior
5. Wendell Davis Reynoldsburg Soph
6. Bret Woolard Newark Senior
7. Bobby Brown Grove City Senior

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Stevie Taylor Gahanna

COACH OF THE YEAR: Pete Liptrap Pick N/Tony Staib Gahanna

All-OCC Central

FIRST TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE

1. Brian Sullivan Upper Arlington Senior
2. Christian Heine Dublin Coffman Senior
3. Zack Riddle Dublin Coffman Senior
4. Davonte Peterson Davidson Junior
5. Wes Richter Upper Arlington Senior
6. Jordan Cowgill T. Worthington Junior
7. Carter Smith Upper Arlington Junior

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Brian Sullivan UA

COACH OF THE YEAR: Tim Casey UA/ Jamey Collins Coffman

All-OCC Cardinal

FIRST TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE

1. Traevon Jackson W South Senior
2. Jack Gibbs W. North Soph
3. Matt Rhodes W. North Junior
4. Ben Jones W South Senior
5. Andy Yazrombek O. Liberty Senior
6. Quentin Henderson W. Central Senior
7. Raneal Ewing D. Scioto Senior

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Traevon Jackson W. South

COACH OF THE YEAR: Ed Calo W. South

All-OCC Capital

FIRST TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE

1. Matt Bingaya Delaware Junior
2. Nick Sosh New Albany Senior
3. Ben Hoar Mt. Vernon Senior
4. Trent Weaver H. Bradley Junior
5. Jordan Combs O. Orange Senior
6. Michael Wells Delaware Soph
7. Ryan Mayle New Albany Senior

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Matt Bingaya Delaware

COACH OF THE YEAR: Sam Davis New Albany

Orginally published by Dispatch.com

On another note, to view the Cincinnati area Greater Catholic League awards winners, click on the highlighted link.

Boyd Leads Lakota East to School's First GMC Title

Mike Boyd

Much of Lakota East’s success this season can be attributed to the outstanding play of Mike Boyd, the team’s floor general. Boyd, a 6’0 point guard, led the Hawks to a 19-1 regular season, a 13-1 conference record, a Greater Miami Conference (GMC) championship, and a 6th place ranking in the latest AP state rankings.

According to the Lakota East website Boyd was selected "Player of the Week" during the season.  As justification for the award, the website states, "Michael is a senior on the boy's basketball team. Mike has been a key part of the team this year after rebounding from a knee injury. Michael scored a career high 20 points in an important win against Mason. He ranks 5th in scoring in the GMC, 1st in steals and 5th in assists."

Despite Boyd individual success this year, the Hawks are more than a one-man team. Lakota East is a well rounded team that has a lot of senior leadership and several young talented players. Boyd was supported by fellow seniors: Brian Evans, Cameron Lee, Jeff Cargill, R.J. Leppert and Jalen Goodwin. Junior Mark Minch has long been considered as one of the top players in the class of 2012, while Stedman Lowrey has shown a lot of potential.

The GMC conference award recipients have not yet been published yet, but many fans believe Boyd will get the nod as the Conference player of the Year. In addition, although Wayne’s Travis Trice will take home District Player of the Year honors, many SW District coaches felt that Boyd was his stiffest competition. Also, the Cincinnati Enquirer just named Lakota East the "City Champions."

The Hawks will open tournament play at Lakota West High School on Saturday February 26th against 31st seeded (5-13) Talwanda. To read more about the Hawks click on the highlighted link.

Lakota East Varsity Team