Ohio Teams Excel at George Hill Tourney

Mid-Ohio Pumas-George Hill Invitational Champions (2020)

Coach Greg Allocco’s 2020 Mid-Ohio Pumas squad traveled to Indianapolis, IN this past weekend to participate in a loaded field at the George Hill Invitational and ended up running the table on the way the the 8^th grade championship.  Let the truth be told, the Pumas faced little resistance as they mowed through some pretty tough teams.  While we were there, we caught some of their blowouts. In their wake were teams like Chicago’s Prodigy, the storied Mac Irvin Fire, Louisville Magic, and arguably the #1 team in the country, George Hill Rising Stars.  In the championship game, Matt Allocco drained 6 treys in the victory.  Other standouts for the Pumas included: Jack Pugh, Chris Mayfield and Cameron McCreay.  At some point, people are just going to have to accept the fact that the Pumas are for real, and list them among the best teams in the class of 2020!

Tony Kynard’s 2022 Toledo Wildcats team ran their season record to an impressive 37-4 after a 6-0 run at the George Hill Invitational in Indianapolis, IN. this past weekend.  With lopsided wins over Wisconsin United (81-18), Indiana Gametime (56-30), Stag Elite (38-11) Missouri Pressure (56-36), Louisville Focus (52-36) and Indiana Rise (42-29), the Wildcats captured yet another tournament championship and solidified their place among the nation’s elite. Toledo was powered by the outstanding play of Michigan’s Emoni Bates and Genesis Kemp, both of whom logged in dominate performances.  Also playing well for the Wildcats were Dior Connor and Demarko Craig.  With yet another title under their belt, the Wildcats have to be the favorite to win Buckeye Prep’s Team of the Year!

In Ohio AAU action, with only six players suited up for the weekend, Malcolm Walters’ 2020 NEO Shooting Stars went 6-0 on their way to the D-I AAU State Championship.  In an epic battle with All-Ohio Black, down 8 points with a little more the 1 minute left, Walters’ squad pulled out a 2-poimt victory on the strength of defense, big shots and free throws.  Stepping up for the Shooting Stars were Darion Henry, Grant Huffman, Devontae Blanton and Isaiah Kennedy.

Another Level  2020-Shoot the Rock Spring Classic Champs

Ozell Dobbins’ Another Level (2020) team took home some hardware as Shoot the Rock Spring Classic Champions. Another Level was led in scoring by O’mhan Dobbins who averaged for 22 points and 7 assists on his way to MVP honors. Anthony Maxie dominated defensively, averaging 14 rebounds and 6 blocked shots per game over the weekend.  In addition, Conner Boclear (6’4/WF/Cleveland) emerged over the weekend, averaging 15 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks.

Eddie Norrills’ Team Toledo Flash are AAU State champs after taking down Chris Anthony’s Ohio Bulldogs 64-56. Toledo was powered by Dominique Cole (6’5/WF/Toledo), who went for 18 points and 11 rebounds in the championship game. Also coming up big for Toledo were Jonzell Norrills, who finished with 10 points and 7 assists, Caleb Smith (14 points), Dimtri Mitsopouls (8 points) and Jaedyn McKinstry (6 points).  The Bulldogs displayed a balanced attack, but were led in scoring by Dominq Penn (14 points), Von Cameron Davis (12 Points) and CJ Anthony (10 points).

Brian Farmer’s All-Ohio Red squad made the Gold Bracket in the All-Ohio Super 16 Tournament this past weekend before being knocked out of the event with losses to the NEO Shooting Stars and Murphy AC. Two weeks ago, All-Ohio finished in second place at the Eddie Guice Memorial Tournament here in Columbus. All-Ohio was upended in the championship game by VCC Nova Village by 3 points.  

EBA Hoops 2022 captured their 3^rd championship of the spring with a 5-1 run o the title of the Varsity AC Mayhem tournament in Massillon last weekend. EBA’s trek to the crown went through  the Ohio Bluejays (52-51 loss), All Out Sports (65-13), Air Attack-McAfee (47-37), Air Attack-Vaughn (75-30), Ohio Storm (64-33) and Air Attack-McAfee (41-39).  Jalen Wenger was the leading scorer in each of the 6 games, averaging an eye-popping 29 points per game. Behind him in scoring were Chris Smith, Braylen Wenger and Jaiden Malone.  For the season, EBA Hoops is 24-8.

Toledo Wildcats 2023-George Hill Invitational Champions

Scott Bradley’s New Birth Warriors (2022) finished as runner-ups at the D-II AAU State Qualifier in Cincinnati over the weekend. New Birth finished 2-2, and went down to Ohio Varsity for the second time in tournament in the championship game.  Standouts for the Warriors were Isaiah Wilkins (5’7/WF/Columbus), Drey Carter (5’7/WF/Bell Fountain) and Dan Washington (5’3/SG/WF/Columbus).

Ohio Basketball Club’s 2021 team won the silver division bracket of the NYBL this past weekend. Also, a shout out goes to All-Ohio Red 2026 for representing the Buckeye State at the George Hill Invitational this past weekend and bringing the title back to Ohio.  Congratulations to all of the teams, coaches, players and parents for a job well done!

George Hill Invitational Day 2 Report

Mid-Ohio Pumas vs The Prospectors

We had the opportunity to spend a day at Mike Saunders’ George Hill Invitational Tournament in Indianapolis, IN on Saturday and needless to say, there were a number of elite players and teams in the gym.  Although we concentrated most of our efforts on the Ohio-based teams, we were able to catch glimpses of some of the other nationally ranked teams participating in the event.  One of the first games we watched was the 2020 Mid-Ohio Pumas vs the Prospectors.  Like most of their games on Saturday, it wasn’t even close, as the Pumas easily dealt the Prospectors a 53-27-loss.  The Pumas were paced by the 3-headed monster of Chris Mayfield, Jack Pugh and Matt Allocco, who finished with 15, 13 and 11 points, respectively. Later in the day, the Pumas matched up against the Indiana Red Storm, and again, it’s wasn’t even close, as the Pumas cruised to an easy 54-17 win.

The 2022 Toledo Wildcats have had a fantastic 2016 champagne so far and from what saw in Indy on Saturday, they were the clear favorites to win it all on Sunday. In a pool play game against GameTime, Toledo enjoyed a height advantage at every position, and was simply to big for the much smaller GameTime.   In fact, the score was 20-0 with 8:20 left in the first half, and the Wildcats would go on to a 59-33 win.  As has been the case this entire season, Michigan’s Emoni Bates was dominate.  Bates, at a long 6’4, can play every position on the court.  Although his length allows him to play in the post, his coach and skill set often has him handling the ball out front.  Consequently, Bates’ combination of size and ball skills make him a special athlete with tremendous upside potential. With the addition of Genesis Kemp (6’1/PF/Grand Rapids, MI), who is also big, athletic and skilled, the Wildcats are a tough match-up.  The other stud on a loaded Wildcats team is Dior Conners who provides defensive pressure but can also score the ball when needed.

We got our first look at Alvin Mobley’s 2021 All-Ohio Red squad as they matched up with the Gary, Indiana Panthers. The game was never really close, as All-Ohio maintained a 20 plus point lead for most of the game, and would go on to win it 45-26. The top guy on that team appears to be Alvin “AJ” Glover (6’0/WF/Reynoldsburg) who is best at slashing to the rim.  Glover has good length, athleticism, a solid handle and he defends well.  In the post is big Trey James (6’9/C/Inez, KY) who is a space eater, rim protector and a high volume rebounder.  At the point is Josiah Mobley (5’4/PF/Columbus), who has great ball skills and is always in attack mode.  Mobley can also score the ball and is a great on-ball defender.  We hope to get a better look at Mobley’s team at the Buckeye Prep Summer Showdown June 17-19^th.

Pugh, Sibley, Jackson, Bates & Louden

In the 4^th grade division, we watched the Columbus-based C.Y.E.C. Monarchs take on the Western Kentucky Wildcats.  The Monarchs were not much of a match for the hot shooting Wildcats, and would eventually go down 56-30 by the time it was all said and done. The Wildcats had a bit of an Ohio flavor, as Jerry Easter (5’2/PG/Toledo) was on the roster. As he has done for a number of different teams this season, Easter was the floor general that found open shooters on the perimeter and handled the Monarchs’ defensive pressure. Easter is highly skilled, poised under pressure, and although he is a solid playmaker, he can get his own shot as well.  From what we have seen this season, Easter is clearly one of the top players in the country in his class.  At the end of the day, everywhere the kid goes his team wins championships! For the Monarchs, we were really impressed with LB Towns (4’8/PG/Columbus), a dynamic little PG with a mature game beyond his year. Towns has elite ball skills and an array of dribble moves that allow him to create separation and get his shot off.  In addition, Towns has great vision and is able to deliver passes on target and into tight spaces. He’s poised, confident and the kind of kid you want running your team.  We have not watched a lot of 4^th graders this year, but Towns has to be one of the best 4th graders in the state.  We plan to keep a close eye on his development going forward.

In addition to watching the Ohio teams, we had the opportunity to get a look at several other really talented teams.  The Indiana Rise vs The Family (2022) match-up was not very competitive early, but by the time the horn sounded the Rise had won 47-35.  We really liked John Louden (5’11/WF/Indianapolis) and Caden Whitehead for the Rise. Louden’s length athleticism make him versatile and able to play and defend multiple positions.  We didn’t see him shoot much, but he sure got to the cup on a consistent basis.  Caden Whithead (4’10/PG Indianapolis, IN) ran the point for the Rise.  White is a small guard with ample quickness, court vision and superior passing ability.  He’s also very crafty with an elite handle.  For The Family, the backcourt duo of Bryce Eaton (4’10/PG, Detroit) and Jamarion Wilson (5’0/PG/Pontiac, MI) is a good one.  Eaton is a smallish floor general with blinding quickness and a big time playmaker.  As soon as you settle in on his ability to find open guys with precision passes, Eaton will pull up for the trey and knock it down.  In addition, Eaton always probing the defense for a crack so he can exploit it with a dime or floater. Finally, he’s hella small, but his confidence and production are huge.  We also like Wilson who also had solid ball skills and could score getting to the basket.  The Rise’s 7^th grade team has a few studs as well, but Jaden Thomas (6’0/WF/Indianapolis) caught our eye on Saturday. Thomas is long and appears to be more of a slasher than a perimeter from what little we saw on Saturday.

Allocco, Docks, Whitehead, Glover, James Towns, Kemp, Eaton & Easter

We watched the 2022 Michigan Prospectors absolutely man handle the Heroes by 20 plus points. We could not have been more impressed with the play of Mason Docks (5’4/PG/Lansing, MI), who is one of the best 6^th grade PGs we’ve seen all spring. Along with an elite handle and a high basketball IQ, Docks is quick, understands the game and just seems to always make the right play.  Oh he can shoot it, but he prefers to make the pass first, which is just what you want in a floor general.  Like his brother Chris Harrison-Docks, who played at Butler and is now at DePaul, Docks has an excellent chance to play D-I ball with continued growth and development.  We also were impressed with his teammate, Alex Watters (5’8/SG/WF/ East Lansing, MI).  Watters will surprise you with his athleticism and his ability to get to and then finish at the cup.

In terms of long-term prospects, college coaches should be tracking Jamari Sibley (6’8/C/ Milwaukie, WI). Sibley is long and lean and needs to put on a lot of weight, but he’s explosive and plays above the rim. He has a long wingspan, which he uses to get his hands on balls.  He runs the floor well and is proficient in advancing the ball down court after a rebound.  Sibley is a sure fire D-I prospect going forward.  There were several other standouts on Saturday including Jamal Molton (5’8/PF/ St. Louis. MO), Grant Newell (6’0/WF/Chicago, IL), Veron Williams (6’1/WF/ St. Louis, MO), Hunter Jackson (5’10/SG/Indianapolis), Trey Galloway (6’2/WF/Indianapolis, IN) and Mike Saunders Jr. (5’6/PG/Indianapolis).  With so much talent in the gym we were very disappointed we could not attend the entire event, as there were a number of other standouts that deserved recognition.  Thanks to Mike Saunders Sr, for the invite, and congratulations to he and his staff for putting on a first class event!

Standout Performers Pictures

All-Ohio Blue Takes Down #1 Red

All-Ohio Blue-Main Stage 6th Grade Champions

This past Sunday at the Main Stage Tournament in Akron, Ohio, Shawn Thigpen’s 6^th grade All-Ohio Blue squad took down All-Ohio Red, the state’s #1 ranked team. Relying on a total team effort, Blue matched up with Red in the tournament’s championship game and claimed the title with a 54-32 win.  Leading the way for Blue were Zack Lopez who dropped a team-high 18 points, followed by Sencire Harris with 11 points, Trey Dennis with 9 points and Raymond Greene with 8 points.  Lopez was described as “very special in the game, doing everything from scoring, rebounding and playing defense.”  On their trek to the championship, All-Ohio Blue got past Hardwork Basketball (56-15), NCBC 58-20) and NCBC (68-61) before their match-up with Red.  All-Ohio Blue has been one of the surprise teams of the season with an impressive roster and several tournament championships under their belt.  It should be noted that Paul McMillian IV exploded for a game-high 24 points in the loss.

Coach Danny Young’s All-Ohio Northeast team finished 6-0 and claimed another championships belt this past weekend with a 68-31 win over the Ohio Hoopsters in the Varsity AC Great Lakes Championships in Cleveland. To claim the crown, All-Ohio had to get by the Ohio Hoopsters (58-39), Red Storm (73-35) Air Attack (70-18), Air Attack (70-18) and Tiger Extreme (95-16) before hooking up with the Hoopsters again in the final game. Standouts for All-Ohio included: Trey Martin, Antwan Peek, Danny Young, and Deon Horn.  Next up for All-Ohio is VAC Mayhem tourney in Massillon where they will play up in the 7^th grade division.  In June, All-Ohio Northeast will be participating in the Buckeye Prep Summer Showdown TOC, where they will get an opportunity to go head-to-head with Ohio’s other top 6^th grade teams.

UA Next Combine Series Midwest Report

The second addition of Under Armour’s new UA Next Combine Series rolled into Reynoldsburg High School in Reynoldsburg, OH on Saturday and once again played host to many of the top 8^th grade players in the region.  In fact, the “invitation only” event attracted elite players from Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. As was the case in Washington DC 2 weeks ago, the event featured high level skills and drills stations in the morning followed by very competitive games in the afternoon.  After lunch, the players were treated to an inspirational presentation frrm Ohio State Buckeye great Sconnie Penn.

One of the top players in the event was Darion Henry (6’6/PF/Cincinnati, OH) who is big, physical and powerful, but nimble around the cup.  In an age where bigs prefer to drift away from the basket and shoot 3 pointers, Henry is comfortable setting up shop in the paint.  Because of his big frame and aggressive approach, Henry is able to absorb contact and still finish plays.  If he can get a couple of more inches, high major schools may come calling in the future.  We’ve seen him play on numerous occasions, but we’ve never seen Isaiah Kennedy (5’11/combo guard/Beavercreek, Oh) play as well as he did on Saturday.  Kennedy was a monster!  Kennedy scored the ball in just about every way possible.  He knocked down deep treys, pulled up off the bounce in the lane, powered his way to the bucket off the drive and did so efficiently.  Kennedy has mostly been known for using his powerful frame to bully his way to the cup, but on Saturday it was more about skill and finesse.  Kennedy was tied for 3^rd in scoring with 33 points in 3 games and an average of 11 ppg. When his defense catches up with his offense, Kennedy is going to be a problem.

D. Henry, I. Kennedy, J. Townsend, G. Huffman & C. Mayfield

The best shooter in the event was by far Jack Townsend (6’0/combo guard/Odom, IN). Townsend is a threat to shoot as soon as soon as he crosses half court. With his lighting quick release, a slow close out is a bucket.  Make no mistake, Townsend is more than a catch and shoot 3-points sniper, he can put it on the floor and get his own shot. Townsend made 11 of 27 treys and was first in made and attempted 3-pointers.  Townsend was tied as the event’s leading scorer with 35 total points and an average of 11.7 ppg. You can tell Townsend plays up against older kids, as he is poised, never gets rattled, understands how get his game off and will destroy a zone. Double down on a big and get ready for the kick out and 3-ball! A good shooter is a confident shooter, and Townsend’s swag says it all. Grant Huffman (6’2/SG/Aurora, OH) has been considered an elite player on the national scene for many years, and his impressive play on Saturday proves he’s not falling off.  In fact, Huffman keeps growing and keeps getting better.  Huffman’s game is mature and he is already playing at a high school level.  An explosive first step allows him to defeat his defender, and his skill set allows him to cash in on the separation.  Surpassingly athletic, Huffman gets to his spots, finishes drives in traffic and finds open teammates all while making it look effortless.  A definite D-1 college prospect going forward. Chris Mayfield (6’3/WF/Hilliard, OH) had the gym buzzing with his athletic and aggressive play.  Mayfield started a little slow, but by the end of the day he was considered one of the best players at the event.  Great in transition, Mayfield is big, powerful and athletic enough to finish at the rim with contact.  Oh yea, Mayfield is explosive enough to play above the rim and throw it  down consistently.  Mayfield is also a good defender, rebounds well and will give up a good shot for a better shot.  In fact, Mayfield led the event with 3.3 apg.  Time will tell what position he ends up, depending on his continued growth, but right now Mayfield is a load.

We’ve seen Jeremy Baker (6’1/combo guard/Kokomo, IN) play on 4 occasions now and we are convinced he’s elite and deserving of national recognition.  The Indiana product is a big-bodied guard who is skilled, athletic and can score.  We know he can score because the stats tell us he was tied as the second leading scorer with 35 total points and an average of 11.7 ppg.  He can make money either slashing to the bucket, or he can stop and pop in the midrange and even hit the trifecta.  With his solid frame, Baker has no problem taking the contact and getting the bucket.  He also has a great motor, positive attitude and he works hard on the defensive end.  Finally, Baker always seems to be having fun on the court, which can be rare these days with so much pressure being placed on these young athletes. We’ve been at the same event and had an opportunity to evaluate Mike Saunders Jr. (5’6/PG/Indianapolis, IN) on several occasions, but it wasn’t until Saturday that we finally saw what the hype was all about.  Saunders is the consummate floor general, who has the ability to make plays for others and himself.  Saunders is a high IQ kid who understands the game.  He plays with great pace and poise and he’s highly skilled.  He can hit catch and shoot treys, or can score off the bounce.  Saunders has good quickness; solid ball skills and can finish with either hand.  Saunder’s ability to score was reflected in the stats, as he was 4^th in scoring with 33 points (10.3ppg). S aunders also plays good defense and converts his free throws (led event with 5.7 FTs per game).  Saunders can run our team anytime!

J. Baker, M. Saunders Jr. J. Salaam, Z. Loveday & Z. Jackson

Justus Salaam (5’9/PG/Farming Hills, MI) got off to a fast start on Saturday, dropping 18 points in his opening game.  Salaam’s quickness, elite handle and 3-point ability allow him to put up big numbers at any given time.  He’s diminutive, but Salaam is crafty and knows how to get into the seams of the defense. The best prospect in the gym was Zach Loveday (6’10/C/Bedville, OH). The best part of Loveday’s game right now is his shot blocking ability.  At 6’10 with long legs and long arms, Loveday is an elite rim protector.  He’s slim and often gets pushed off his spot, but size and strength will come, and when it does, Loveday could command high-major attention.  In addition, Loveday’s offensive skills are still under development, but he’s skilled enough to step outside and hit the baseline mid-range shot, and he passes the well for a kid his size.  Zeb Jackson (5’9/PG/Toledo), a lefty, can shoot the deep ball as well as anybody when he’s hot.  Jackson also has elite ball skills and dribble moves.  He’s a smaller guard, but he creates separation well and can get to the spots he wants.  Jackson can drive either left or right and can stop and pop the mid-range jumper.  Jackson is a great playmaker with excellent court vision.  Montorie Foster Jr. (5’11/combo guard/Cleveland, OH) is an elite scorer.  On Saturday, Foster finished second in scoring with 34 points and an average of 11.3 ppg.

Devontae Blanton (6’4/W/PF/Macedonia, OH) is blessed with good size and the ability to handle the ball in the open court.  When he plays with high energy, Blanton is as good as anybody in the state. Big and physical, slashing to the basket is Blanton’s best asset right now, but he’s quick off his feet, rebounds well and can advance the ball in transition.  He works well off the pick and roll and finishes well near the cup.  Justin Powell (6’4/combo guard/Prospect, KY) is another good-looking prospect with good length, athleticism and a solid skill set.  Powell understands the game and knows how to score the ball. When his motor is running, Powell is very productive.  Colin Crothers (6’6/PF/C/Arlington Heights, IL) is another quality, long-term post prospect. Crothers is a space eater with good size and strength.  Colins plays hard, rebounds at a high rate and has a soft touch around the basket.  He’s not a high riser, but Colins gets his hands on a lot of shots. Finally, Colins has decent footwork and finishes at a sold rate.  Another growth spurt will make Crothers a hot commodity down the road. Hunter Jackson (5’10/combo guard/Indianapolis, IN) was one of the best on ball defenders at the event.  Jackson does not waste dribbles, as he goes right at the basket.  He as a strong, mature frame, which he uses to get by his defender.  Jackson handles the ball well enough to create space and he changes direction well.  He does not shoot it often, but he can knock down an open jumper if left open.  CJ Anthony (5’10/combo guard, Columbus, Oh) is best getting to the rack, but he can score on the perimeter when he gets enough time to get his shot off. Anthony has the ability to score, and was the 5^th leading scorer with 26 total points (8.7ppg).

D. Blanton, J. Powell, C. Crothers, H. Jackson & CJ Anthony

Max Land (6’1/PG/Mason, OH) has been flying under the radar until recently.  After making the all-star game and receiving MVP honors at the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase in March, Land’s stock continues to rise.  Land’s play on Saturday confirmed his place among the best in the state.  Solid athleticism and a good nose for the ball, Land should play college ball at some level with continued growth and skill development.  Jack Kahoun (6’1/Comb guard/Oswego, IL) is smart, crafty with a good motor.  Kahoun led the event with a .667 3-point percentage and was tied for 4^th in scoring with 33 points and 11 ppg.   Matt Allocco (5’10/PG/Hilliard, OH) is a highly skilled, high IQ floor general who always has his head up looking for cutters.  He’s at his best running a team, but if you need a bucket, he can get you that.  Allocco can create his own offense and can also knock down the kick out trey.  Allocco is a pit bull on the defensive end and makes very few mistakes with the rock. 

Ethan Morton (6’3/combo guard/Butler, PN) is a big, athletic guard who gets in done both inside and outside.  Morton has a great motor and rebounds well for his position.  Morton also has good vision and passes the ball well.  In fact, he was 4^th in assists with 3 per game.  Bryce Flatt (6’4/WF/Benton, KY) has a great motor and nose for the ball.  Every time we looked up Flatt was at the right place at the right time for a lay up or put back.  You have to account for Jake Younkin (5’11/combo guard/ Loveland, OH) on the floor or he will drop the 3-ball on you. A coach’s son, Younkin is fundamentally sound and understands the game.  We saw some good things out of Tony Perkins (6’1/combo guard/Indianapolis, IN).  Perkins is long and athletic.  Lance Mosley (6’0/PG/Chicago, IL) is a long lefty with good on ball defense.  Jared McCorkle (6’6/combo guard/Liberty TWP. OH) is a strong and physical wing and has a strong motor.  McCorkle is a good defender and rebounder.  Raymond Terry (6’7/PF/C/Gary, IN) has a large frame and is a strong lefty. The state of Michigan has several prospects with Kevin Rice Jr. (6’2/combo guard/ Flint, MI), Vontray Nickerson (6’0/combo guards/Flint, MI), James Wilbon (6’3/PF/Mt. Morris, MI), Dallas Green Jr. (5'8/PG/Northville, MI), and Devin Womack (5’11/PG/Ypsilanti, MI).

M. Land, J. Kahoun, M. Allocco, E. Morton & B. Flatt

With 2 sessions of the UA Next Combine Series in the books, the first-year event will head out to Los Angeles May 28^th.  Session 3 will be held in conjunction with with Under Armor’s UA Association circuit.  From what we have seen in the first to sessions, Under Armour has hit a home run with this unique platform designed to raise skill development at the grassroots level.

Midwest Combine Player Pictures

Photo Gallery

Stars Shine at Elite 60

Team Ohio-Elite 60 Midwest Challenge Champions

Judging from the feedback we received on Sunday, the inaugural Buckeye Prep Elite 60 Midwest Challenge was a complete success! Of course it’s much easier to pull off a successful event when the talent in the gym is the best in the Midwest.  With select kids from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, this event was one of the most competitive we‘ve ever held.  Although the event was more of a team event, as the players were placed onto teams based on their state of residence, players had the opportunity to display their individual talent in front of local and national media outlets   Specifically, Bill Francis, the Hoops Scoop’s Chris Johnson and Middle School Hoops’ Ty Kish were all in the house taking in the action.

Because of the event’s primary focus a champion was crowned.  Coached by Rob Taylor Jr., Team Ohio finished a perfect 4-0 on their trek to the championship.  As was the case with all of the teams, Team Ohio was absolutely loaded with talent.  As an example, Team Ohio’s roster contained 4 of Buckeye Prep’s top 10 players in Jack Pugh, Chris Mayfield, Grant Huffman and Matt Allocco.  Add to that top 20 Montorie Foster Jr., Evan Prater, Joey Holifield, Mark Wise, Fred Wilkes III and Jamal Walker, you have a very formidable squad.  Finishing as runner-ups, Coach Ed Lyshe’s Team Scarlet finished 3-1 and also boasted a talent-filled roster,including top 10 Devonte Blanton, Marcus Johnson, Von Cameron Davis, Blake Lloyd, Sam Anderson, O’Mahn Dobbins, BJ Bradford, Ryan Delong and Michigan’s Vontray Nickerson.  A Colin Crothers-led Team Illinois finished 3rd with a 2-2 record, followed by 2-2 Team Indiana, 1-3 Team Michigan and a 0-4 Team Buckeye.

Jack Pugh, Matt Allocco, Devontae Blanton, Montorie Foster Jr. & Jeremy Baker

In our experience, the most truly elite are those players who are elite when the entire gym is full of elite players.  That was most certainly the case with the 22 players selected to the event’s all-star game.  To take it one step further, the players selected to the All-Tournament Team and the MVP really separated themselves from the elite pack.  Jack Pugh, who only recently returned to action after an injury was fantastic and played his way to MVP honors.  Fellow Mid-Ohio Pumas teammate Matt Allocco made the All-Tournament team, as did Montorie Foster Jr., Devontae Blanton and Indiana’s Jeremy Baker. All-Star scoring is as follows: Montorie Foster (13), Matt Allocco (12), Jack Pugh (10), Jeremy Baker (10), Devontae Blanton (10), Von Cameron Davis (9), Isaiah Kennedy (8), Nic Smith (8), Kevin Rice (7), O'Mahan Dobbins (7), Sam Anderson (6), Marcus Johnson (5), Grant Huffman (5), Colin Crothers (4), Jack Townsend (4) Zeb Jackson (3), Jonzell Norills (2), Chris Mayfield (2), Justus Salaam (2), Jahqueza Williams (0) Cleveland Neal (0) and CJ Anthony (0). 

The leading scorer at the event was Jack Pugh (6'4/WF/Plain City, OH) who scored 65 points in 4 games and averaged 16.25 points per game and a high of 23 points vs Team Buckeye.  Pugh has recently been sidelined with an injury, but you could not tell it by his play.  Pugh has continued to stretch out, and his length, skill and IQ allow him to score at will around the basket. Based on his play on Sunday, from a production perspective, Pugh is the top guy in the state in 2020.  His Mid-Ohio Pumas teammate, Matt Allocco (5'10/PG, Hilliard, OH) has not done a lot of showcases or camps, but his team-oriented and highly skilled game translates well to this format. Allocco really understands all phases of the game and he is the consummate floor general. But don't be fooled, Allocco may be more than proficient at setting up teammates for easy shots, but he can go get his own when he needs to.  Another Puma, Chris Mayfield (6'3/WF/Columbus, OH) had a big time performance on Sunday.  Mayfield is a horse with explosive athleticism.  Mayfield is best using his linebacker-type frame slashing to the basket, but he's more than capable of hitting the 3-ball or the mid-range jumper.  Mayfield is also productive in transition and is a willing and capable passer.  

I. Kennedy, K. Rice Jr., J. Baker, Z. Jackson, O. Dobbins & S. Anderson

Sam Anderson (6'0/combo guard/Trotwood, OH) had the event's game-high of 25 points vs Team Illinois.  From what we saw this weekend, Anderson is more than comfortable running with the big dogs. Good length, athletic, with deep range are just some of Anderson's strengths.  The second leading scorer was Von Cameron Davis with 53 total points (13.35 pig).  Because he was on a stacked team, Mark Wise did not make the all-star game, but the books reflected he scored the ball with 44 total points (11 ppg). Wise has the ability to knock down the trey, get to the cup and is very active both offensively and defensively. I 'm not sure there were many players who played better than Isaiah Kennedy (5'11/combo guard/Beavercreek, OH) did on Saturday.  Because we will be breaking down his performance in our UA Next Combine recap, we won't be repetitive here but we will say this, Kennedy's stock will soar after what we saw this weekend.  Grant Huffman (6'2/PG/Aurora, OH),  just like Kennedy will be featured in out UA Next Combine recap.  Just like Kennedy, Huffman balled out on Saturday as well.  Long considered a top 5-10 player in the state, Huffman's performance on Sunday more than justified his ranking.  A solid handle and a quick first step allows Huffman to stay in the paint. Sneaky athleticism, Huffman excels and every phase of the game.  Supper smooth, skilled with good size, makes D-1 college ball a certainty.

A majority of the players at this event had already established themselves on the statewide and national stage, while a few had been flying under the radar to some extent.  One such player was Marcus Johnson (6'2/WF/Columbus) who is super smooth with freakish athleticism.  Johnson is more than explosive, as he can handle the rock, and he demonstrated the ability to hit the mid range shot.  When his motor is in full gear, Johnson is often the best player on the floor.  Finally, Johnson's upside is tremendous, and with continued growth and development, D-I college basketball is a probability.  Some of the same things can be said about his Ohio Bulldogs teammate, Von Cameron Davis (6'2/PF/Columbus, OH).  Davis is not a freak like Johnson, but he is athletic, has good size and is fluid around the bucket. Davis also has great footwork and finishes well around the rim.  He runs the floor like a guard and although he's most productive in the paint, he can step away from basket and knock down the short jumper.  Like Johnson, Davis has tons of upside potential.  

Johnson, Davis, Williams, Salaam, Crothers & Townsend 

Jahquez Williams  (6'1/combo guard/East Chicago, IN.) is another explosive athlete with big time potential.  Williams has a strong frame and is best when slashing to the basket.  He has good length for the off guard position and moves well laterally on defense.  From what we saw on Sunday, college coaches might want to get Williams on their boards. Big Colin Crothers (6'8/PF/C/Arlington Heights, Ill) is another one to watch.  Big, skilled with good feet and hands, Crothers s very productive in the paint.  He's not a high riser, but with excellent timing, he still manages to pose a problem to would-be shooters.  He's big, but he moves well and can handle the rock away from the paint.  Crothers is another big time prospect. He wasn't as hot as he was on Saturday, but Jack Townsend (6'1/SG/Odam, IN) hit enough 3-balls on Saturday to warrant mention. Townsend was the best shooter in the gym on Saturday and proved he can constantly shoot a high percentage from beyond the arc.  Although he's a zone buster, he's not just a catch and shoot threat, as Townsend can create his own shot, can score off pick and roll and can hit the mid range off the bounce.  He has a quick release, handles the ball very well and can slip into the play maker role if he can't get his. He's confident with a little swag because he knows he's good.  Because he has been playing up a couple of grades, he's virtual unknown in the class of 2020.  Now you know, Townsend is a baller! 

Devontae Blanton (6'3/WF/Nordonia, OH) logged in an impressive performance on Sunday as evidenced by his all-star game and All-Tournament Team selection.  Blanton has that rare combination of size and quickness.  When he gets that big frame heading to the cup he's tough to stop.  Although he makes his money in the paint, Blanton has great ball skills for his size and is more than equipped to knock down the open jumper. Blanton also has the ability to initiate the break and to deliver a pass on time and on target.  Blanton's performance solidified his spot in the state's top 10. We also really liked Justus Salaam (5'9/SG/Farmington Hills, MI).  He arrived in Columbus determined to "get his name out there" and that's exactly what he did.  Salaam is a dynamic lead guard who can light up the score board.  On Saturday, he put up gaudy numbers.  Quick, athletic and always in attack mode best describes Salaam's game.  He can hit the deep ball or hit the mid range shot. We also like Salaam's upside going forward.  Zeb Jackson (5'8/PG/Toledo, OH) was on point this weekend.  Aways a threat to get hot, Jackson is best known for his ability to hit deep treys.  His elite handle and craftiness also allow him to get into then pant and score or dish.  Jackson works well of the screen, and with continued growth and development, he could be a good one. We were also super impressed with O'Mahn Dobbins (5'5/PG/Cleveland, OH), who proved to be one of the best lead guards at the event.  He's not the biggest kid on the floor, but his game is.  His showcase coach loved the kid for his play-making ability, his ability to hit the long ball, the fact he made few mistakes and ran his team with precision. We knew he could play, but we have a lot more respect for Dobbin's game!

CJ Anthony, M. Wise, E. Seeger, J. Norills,  T. Brelsford & J. Younkin

We absolutely love Jeremy Baker's game.  Baker (6'2/WF/Kokomo, IN) is big, strong and very aggressive to the cup. With good size, a solid handle and determination to get to rack, Baker is almost unstoppable.  Baker is more of a slasher, as he can stroke it if left open.  If we can keep the football coaches away from him, D-I college basketball is in his future. We also have to mention Montorie Foster Jr. (5'9/PG/Warrensville, OH), who has turned out to be one of the most prolific scorers in the state.  With his quickness and skill set, Foster can score at all 3 levels.  We also saw some real good things out of Kevin Rice Jr. (6'2/SG, Flint, MI), who already has great size for an 8th grade shooting guard. Rice is best at scoring the ball, but he can also find open teammates.  Rice can create his own shot, and he shoots it well off the catch and shoot or bounce. A good looking athlete with D-1 potential. Tyler Brelsford (5'10/PG/Maryland) has all the tools required to run a team. He's smart, a scoring threat and has the ability to set up and find open teammates.  As he grows and gets stronger, Brelsford stock will continue to rise.  Cleveland Neal (6'3/WF/IN) was a late arrival, but his explosives was on full display when he dunked on a defender in transition.  A supreme athlete, Neal will continue to garner attention going forward. Toledo's Jonzell Norills put his name on the map with a solid performance. Norris always seemed to make the right play, passed the ball forward and did all the things a player needs to do to get his team a win. CJ Anthony (5'10/combo guard/Columbus, OH) followed up a solid performance from Saturday. Anthony is at his best attacking the basket, but he can also heat up from the perimeter as well.  Not only is Anthony considered one of the best players in Columbus, his state-wide rep is growing as well.  Big Nic Smith's (6'3/PF//Cincinnati) performance on Sunday proved his name should be among the best players in the state.  With good size and a short touch around the basket, Smith is a productive big. We also saw some flashes of Elliott Seiger (5'11/PG/Naperville, IL).   Seiger not only was aggressive to the basketball, he was a great on ball defender as well.  Good size and athletic, Seiger has a chance to be good. Cleveland Tevin Jackson (5'7/PG/Cleveland) got great praise from his showcase coach.  Jackson does a great job running his team.  He plays hard, gets his teammates involved and he has a good attitude and approach to the game. Because he was on a stacked team, Evan Prater (6'1/WF/Cincinnati) did not get the love he deserved.  According to his showcase coach, Prater "does it all. He can shoot the ball, get to the rack and can guard multiple positions.  By the time it's all said and done, he [Prater] may be one of the best players in the state," said Rob Taylor Jr.  We plan to keep a closer eye on Prater in the future!

Although this event was only in it’s first year, the response was tremendous, which suggests the event will only grow in stature and prestige going forward.  Next up is Buckeye Prep’s Summer Showdown Tournament of Champions, where once again the elite teams and players will gather to compete at the highest.  This event is “invitation only,” for those teams ranked in our Power Rankings and/or tournament champions.  Finally, our Fall Elite Showcase is scheduled for September 17^th & 18^th at Otterbein University.  The event will attract up to 500 players and will feature the prestigious Ohio North vs South All-Stare Games as well as the ultra competitive Ohio vs Michigan Game for the class of 2020.  Remember this, “iron sharpens iron.”  If you want to be the best you have to play the best!

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