NOE Showcase: Slashers
In our final Northern Ohio Elite (NOE) Showcase recap, let’s recognize the kids who dove into the lane with their silky smooth or powerhouse takes. Whether it was on and-one dunks or side-stepping fingeroles, the following eleven players lived impressed us with penetration. Now, let’s take closer look at the specifics.
Marquis Coleman (2017), 6’2” G, Lima Senior
The winner of the NOE Showcase Slam Dunk Contest has hops that translate to game action. Coleman looks to rise with a two-step gather, which allows him to rise up high for dunk attempts. Coleman plays off-ball and tends to catch just outside the three-point arch. On those catches, he is already in a swing-through motion going towards the basket. After one-dribble, he jumps as high as he can for the finish.
Coleman needs to be consistent in keeping his body controlled on those leaps, as he’s sometimes too high in the air to remember that he must finish the attempt. However, he has a year of prep school in North Carolina to tighten up any deficiencies.
Davonte Craven (2017), 6’4” W, Maple Heights
Craven is looking for a home going into next season, and according to his mother, his grades will not be an issue. He’s excelled in the classroom at Maple Heights, and he also excels around the rim. Craven could come into a program as a raw athlete who is dangerous in transition. In the half-court, Craven had an impact on the offensive glass and on high-rising finishes. If he can add some weight to his lengthy body, Craven could become a very impactful slasher from the wing.
Isaiah Kennedy (2020), 6’ PG, Huber Heights Wayne
We’ve already written about Kennedy’s ability to involve others on the secondary break. But, he’s also a force when the game slows down. Kennedy’s ability to attack his defender is largely a credit to his strength. The compact underclassman form Wayne absorbs contact like a senior and often finishes through it. He’s also mature in the sense that he’s not looking to do flashy or finesse finishes. On the contrary, Kennedy squares his shoulders to the baseline, jumps towards the contact, and flips the ball in off the glass with his arm extended. Expect Kennedy to spend a lot of time at the free throw line during his high school career.
Yousef Saleh (2020), 5’10” PG, Beavercreek
See Newcomers article.
Myles Belyeu (2018), 6’3” G/W/F, Trotwood Madison
The freaky athlete from Trotwood showed more explosiveness on his takes than expected at the Showcase. On one or two occasions, Belyeu avoided block attempts by jumping off two-feet for a one-handed tomahawk finish. He throws it down with power.
Although this article is strictly about slashing, it’s important to note that Belyeu opened up driving lanes by knocking home jumpers. As he continues to establish respect from deep, Belyeu will become increasingly difficult to defend one-on-one.
Alek West (2019), 6’2” PG, Sylvania Northview
West has the lower-body strength to dig himself into the lane against body-to-body pressure. Meaning, even when the defense resists him in perfect position, West still is likely to finish through it. In these tight quarters, West was able to flip the ball into the basket for swishes from low-angles. At the Showcase, West was exploding with a huge vertical, but he remained efficient as a scorer. Also, West remained strong throughout the day, as he clearly one of the best conditioned athletes in Lima.
Jacob Plantz (2019), 6’4” G, Genoa
See High Energy article.
Mike Bothwell (2018), 6’3” G, Cornerstone Christian
See Stock-risers and D-I Prospects articles.
BJ Patrick (2018), 6’2” G, Mansfield Senior
See Stock-risers article.
Keedrick Cunningham (2018), 6’1” G, Proctorville Fairland
See Stock-risers article.
Brendan Lamb (2020), 5’10” PG, Lebanon
We truly expect Lamb to a problem in GWOC throughout his career, in large part to his bowling-ball style of driving the lane. He glides into the lane with power without telegraphing the pass or shot attempt. While he tends to sneak-in layups, opposed to kicking it out, we’ve seen few defenders catch on and defend it effectively.
Lamb is also a good shooter. It will be interesting, also crucial, to see him develop a mid-range game. We haven’t witnessed Lamb pulling up too often quite yet. But, he’s a young player who seems dedicated to the craft, so we expect that part of his offensive arsenal to progress nicely.