Class of 2018’s Small Town Legends
Prospects in small towns often don’t receive the same kind of attention from statewide media that those in Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Toledo, and Dayton do. But, over the past three seasons, Small Town Legends have built a legacy in their communities. We’re looking to shed some light on those seniors here.
Jared Jakubick, 6’3” G, Mansfield St. Peter’s
Here’s one of the few players on the list from a city with multiple high schools. Jakubick is the reigning Division IV Player of the Year in Ohio. He averaged 18.3 points per game on a St. Peter’s team that went undefeated in the regular season. Expect Jakubick to build on his legacy as a senior, with St. Peter’s coming into the year as one of the favorites to win the Division IV State Championship.
Chase Yoho, 5’10” G, Bellaire
If Bellaire were to build a statue of Yoho it would be of him shooting a free throw. The crafty attacker averaged a ridiculous 31.2 points per game last year, many of which came at the charity stripe. Yoho was named Second Team All State as a junior in Division III.
Caleb South, 6’0” PG, Bethel Tipp City
South puts buckets up in bunches for Bethel, scoring his 1,000th point for the team just a few games into his junior season. South is the motor/engine/wheels for a Bethel team that will, once again, be one of the top Division III teams in Ohio in 2017-18.
Jay Kaufman, 6’4” W, Ottawa-Glandorf
Unfortunately for OG, Kaufman will miss the beginning of the season, as he’s recovering from a knee injury that occurred in the grassroots season. A mid-season comeback could push OG into their full potential right on time, as they’ll have a chance to compete in Division III this season if Kaufman is healthy. Kaufman was Second Team All State in Division II as a junior. Also a standout quarterback.
Drew Johnson, 6’4” W, Pandora-Gilboa
Johnson was the conference player of the year and Third Team All State in Division IV as a junior. Johnson will have a lot of NAIA options when his high school career resides in the record books.
Kollin Van Horn, 6’8” F/C, Proctorville Fairland
Van Horn has already anchored a Fairland team that went to the State Final Four. This season, him and his 2018 classmates have a very legitimate chance to bring home the trophy. Surrounded by a group of guards, expect the nimble shot-blocker to be the most valuable component in their run.
Eric McLaughlin, 6’5” W, Lynchburg Clay
The Mount Vernon Nazarene commit is one of the top NAIA commits in Ohio right now. McLaughlin, a versatile perimeter wing, went to the Final Four as a sophomore with Lynchburg Clay and followed that up with a junior season that was worthy of Third Team All State in Division III.
Mark Mayle, 6’8” F, Malvern
Mayle averaged 15.1 points per game for Malvern last year and was named Third Team All State in Division III. With improved 3-point shooting, expect Mayle to have an even more prolific senior season.
Justin Ahrens, 6’5” G, Versailles
We’re now entering the group of small town legends who have seen their reputation extend well beyond the local watering hole. There’s no greater example of that than Ohio State commit Justin Ahrens. He’s my preseason pick for Mr. Basketball and will surely ensure Versailles a chance in any game they play this year.
Austin Rotroff, 6’9” F/C, Wauseon
Rotroff is another Mr. Basketball candidate after leading Wauseon to runner-up finish in Division II last season. They should have comparable success during Rotroff’s senior year. The Duquesne commit was named Second Team All State last year, but his big coming out party was during the postseason run. Regardless, folks from Wauseon have been able to spot his special talent way before the rest of the state caught on.
Dylan Swingle, 6’10” C, Paint Valley
Swingle, another Duquesne commit, has averaged a double-double in consecutive seasons. He should post explosive stat-lines again here in 2017-18. He dominates opposing high school post players with his massive size. He was First Team All State in Division III last year.