Underrated Names to Know for “The Preview”
Every year the Cincinnati High School Boys 2017-18 Preseason Preview gives players an opportunity to announce their arrival to the Greater Cincinnati area. And this year’s edition of the event will provide plenty of players to do the same. Here are some young men we feel will take the momentum they create from “The Preview” into the regular season and beyond.
Demontez “Kane” Cooper 5’4 PG- Woodward High School (#180 Class of 2018)
Cooper’s comeback from his knee injury is 100% complete and that is good news for the Bulldogs. Kane has always played like a coach on the floor, making sound decisions and getting the right teammates the ball at the right time. Woodward lost a lot of scoring from last year’s team, so he will have to be more aggressive from a scoring standpoint than in the past. But even still, look for Cooper to re-assert his self as a top point guard in the Cincinnati area.
Brandon Doss 5’8 G- Shroder High School (Class of 2018)
Used primarily as a three-point shooter last year (72% of his field-goal attempts came from 3-point range), Doss will get to show there is a lot more to his game this season. The senior has a very tight handle and is aggressive when attacking the paint. Brandon has attention from the D-III and NAIA level according to the Ohio Elite Basketball Academy Twitter account.
Shawn Hawkins 6’5 F- Hughes High School (Class of 2018)
This young man made waves all spring and summer with his play on the defensive end. Hawkins athletic ability allows him to defend perimeter players while his size also allows him to defend post players alike. This versatility makes him one of the best defenders I say in the state. Offensively Shawn excels in the open court as a finisher but has solid ball-handling ability as well. He is part of a Hughes team that is a contender to make the trip to Columbus in late March.
Javonta Lyons 6’1 W/F- Purcell Marian High School (Class of 2019)
The leading returning scorer for the Cavaliers (13.6ppg 2016-17 season), Lyons is one of the harder match-ups in the city. Javonta size and strength gives him the advantage over smaller defenders, but the ball-handling and craftiness to take bigger defenders off the dribble. Lyons and the Cavaliers hope to live up to the lofty expectations that have been placed on them in the pre-season.
Nick Smith 6’5 PF- Walnut Hills High School (#76 Class of 2020)
This young physical forward can rebound at a very high rate. Smith is a lefty that plays very hard on both ends and does not mind mixing it up in the paint. Nick is also a very good screen setter who showed improvement over the summer and in scrimmages at finishing around the rim. He will be a big factor in the success of Coach Ricardo Hill team this season.
Aaron Ward 6’5 W/F- Princeton High School (#30 Class of 2020)
Ward has the physical look of a player at the next level now and he is only a sophomore. Where he is most effective at right now is in the mid-range area where he can raise up for his jumper or attack the paint off the dribble. Look for Aaron to be a key contributor for a Vikings team that will be among the top D-I teams in Ohio.
Rodney Wiley 5’9 PG- Colerain High School (Class of 2019)
Featured in September by Prep Hoops Ohio, Wiley is as quick as they come at the point guard position. Over the summer Rodney worked a lot on his perimeter shooting and mid-range game as well along with playing with pace. If he can improve his efficiency from the floor and cur down the turnovers, Colerain could have a much better 2017-18 than last season (3-20).