Lima Gators

Three teams ranked in Buckeye Prep’s Power Rankings (2022) participated in were in the Hoopin N The Summit tournament this past weekend in Ft. Wayne Indiana. The third ranked Lima Gators, 4^th ranked Dayton Wolves, and number 7^th ranked SMAC Premier all attended the event. A highly competitive tournament had upsets and revenge in the making. SMAC Premier won their pool, which included a win over the Lima Gators (57-52). This game had many lead changes and went down to the wire. 

The Lima Gators went on to beat FBC out of Michigan in an overtime thriller on a 3-pointer from the Lima Gators’ Evan Unruh to cap off a 14 -point comeback by the Lima Gators in the last 5 minutes of the game. This game sent the Gators into the championship bracket on Sunday.

A showdown between SMAC Premier and Dayton Wolves seemed imminent, but the Wisconsin Shooters had other plans, as they upset the Wolves in the first round of championship play (45-41). SMAC went on to eliminate the Wisconsin Shooters in the semi finals (51-42). Meanwhile, the Lima Gators went on to beat Always 100 in a tough game (57-49), and then defeated Artic Rush (56-40) in the semi-finals game to set up a rematch with SMAC Premier in the championship game.

The championship game was very intense rematch and both teams competed at a high level. The Gators struck first with a 12-2 spurt before SMAC went on a signature run with their signature hot shooting. The Gators led for the entirety of the game, but SMAC would not make it easy by keeping the game within 6 points for the most part of the 2nd half. The Gators went on to win (51-45) due to the play making of Cecil Benton Jr., the inside presence of Cyrus Burden, hot shooting from Devin Taborn, who led all scorers with 23 points, and a much needed quick 7 points off the bench by Quintel Wilson Jr. in a 2-minute span late in the 2nd half. The Lima Gators are now 31-5 on the season with 4 tournament titles. You can catch the Gators and the Dayton Wolves this coming weekend at the Buckeye Prep Summer Showdown.

UA Next Combine Series Dallas Early Look

P.J. Neal, Duncan Powell, Juan Reyna, Emmanuel Obaseki & Damon Nicholas Jr.

The UA Next Combine in Dallas, TX is only a couple of hours old and has only featured skills and drills and combine testing, but already, a couple of the forty 8^th graders here are setting themselves apart from the competition. The best 2 players we’ve seen so far are P.J. Neal (6’2/PG/2021/Houston, TX) and Duncan Powell (6’7/PF/2021/DeSoto, TX).  Both guys are excelling at the skill and drills portion of the event before the games even begin this afternoon. Neal is a big, sturdy PG who prefers to find open teammates rather than score; however, his size, strength, athleticism and ball skill equip him to get to the cup.  He’s a high-energy guy who doesn’t mind sitting down and defending smaller guards.  Powell is a bruiser with a solid frame and explosiveness.  He’s more than just a big who can use his size as a weapon; it’s also clear he has been in the gym working on his skill set.  He has the ability to stop and pop and hit the mid-range shot, in addition to powering his way to the cup.  He rebounds and defends well and plays with a good motor.  He also has nice touch around the rim rebounds well and will bang it on you if he gets a chance.

Neil and Powell are not the only early standouts we’ve seen so far here in Dallas.  We also liked Juan Reyna (6’2/PG/2021/San Antonio, TX), Jaylon McDaniel (6’6/PF/2021/Les Summit, MO), Wilfredo Amaro (6’3/CG/2021/Floresville, TX), Harrison Ingram (6’5/WF/2021/Dallas, TX), Emmanuel Obaseki (6’2/PG/2021/Allen, TX), Damon Nicholas Jr. (6’2/CG/2021/Arlington, TX), Wade Taylor IV (5’10/PG/2021/Dallas, TX), Zion Swader (5’11/PG/2021/Murfeesboro, TN,) and Gavin Perryman (6’1/PG/2021/Dallas, TX). It’s important to note that it’s still very early in the event and there are still a number of players who have a chance to gain some recognition when the games tip off this afternoon. We just wanted to put something up early which highlights some of the kids who caught our eye early.  Stay tuned for more event coverage later.

Wolves Take Second in State Qualifier

This past weekend, Coach Allen Shaw’s 2021 All-Ohio Wolves squad finished second at the AAU State Qualifier in Cincinnati. The Wolves’ 4-1 overall record included wins over Team 4D (63-58), PBC (56-50), COBBA Knights (63-47) and Huntsman Select (47-33).  The Wolves’ were upended in the championship game by the Westside Panthers 69-78.  From what we understand, the Panther’s roster includes players form the former All-Ohio Purple team that was so talented for several years.  Standouts for the Wolves included: Deuce Shaw, David Larkins and Aaron Davis.  You can catch the Wolves in action at the Buckeye Prep Summer Showdown next week.

All-Ohio Cruises to State Championship

2022 All-Ohio Red

It’s not as prestigious as it was a few years ago, but any state championship is a good championship.  This past weekend, Coach Paul McMillan’s #1 ranked All-Ohio Red (2022) squad ran through the field at the Ohio AAU State Qualifier in Cincinnati.  On their route to the title, All-Ohio ran through Club Ohio, COBBA Knights, New Birth Warriors and Arctic Rush.  According to McMillan, no team came within 30 points of his team.  Up next for All-Ohio is the ultra-competitive MIT in Maryland.  Congratulations to All-Ohio on their win.

We have to give a shout out to Coach Wesley’s 5^th grade All-Ohio Phenom team on an impressive 2-tournament, 8-1 run.  During that stretch, All-Ohio’s lone loss came at the hands of the #3 ranked All-Ohio Red on a buzzer beater in the championship game of the Under Armour Queen Cup.  During the same tournament, Phenom posted a 20-point victory #18 ranked MVP Dynasty. This past weekend, All-Ohio went 5-0 at the Memorial Day Shootout.  In the championship game, All-Ohio took down #17 ranked Hard Work Basketball 39-30. So far this season, Wesley’s team has won 5 tournaments and made the final game in 3 other tournaments.

Buckeye Prep Summer Showdown Taking Registrations

Gators Make Semi-Final Run

Lima Gators 2022

Quintel Wilson's 2022 Lima Gators advanced to the Gold Bracket Semifinals in the Adidas May Classic tournament in Indianapolis. The Gators were led by the hot shooting of Devin Taborn and Evan Unruh, along with the inside presence of Cyrus Burden, and the perimeter defense of Cecil Benton Jr. Brayden Knight and Quintel Wilson Jr. In pool play, the Gators defeated Charlotte Court (KY) 58-18, and IBA Blue 43-38. In bracket play, the Gators beat Indiana Elite Force 2022 71-51, before letting Team Teague off the hook by blowing a 14 point lead in the second half to lose 51-49 in the semifinals. 

Lima Gators also attended the 15th annual Memorial Day Madness in Cincinnati this past weekend. Led by Cecil Benton Jr, Willie Knight, and Cyrus Burden, the Gators went on to win the championship by defeating Huntsman Select and Team Shock in Pool play. In the first round of bracket play, the Gators were ahead by 40 points vs Club Ohio when the game was called off after a health concern of the opposing coach. In the semifinals, the Gators met a tough opponent Artic Rush featuring a few high caliber players such as Sean Jones, Jared Frey, and Tre Robertson, all former players of All Ohio Red. The Gators trailed by 13 points in the second half before rallying late behind a game tying 3-pointer by Cecil Benton to force OT. Devin Taborn took over in the extra frame to give the Gators the win 56-49. In the championship game, the Gators defeated Shockers Elite 62-48 in a highly competitive game. The Gators went on a big run in the second half that Shockers Elite couldn't recover from. The Gators coach Quintel can't wait until the Buckeye Prep Summer Showdown to see how his team stacks up with the other Elite teams in the state. The Gators were runner-ups in the Summer Showdown last year.