Northeast Ohio Basketball Diary
NEO Tru Game playing in the prestigious Nike EYBL grassroots event this weekend in Indianapolis completed a 3-1 record and won its pool with a roster loaded with some of the top layers in Ohio in the class of 2021.
Two of those players played key roles for 2018 Ohio Division II state champion Akron St. Vincent –St. Mary. Flashing big time in the grass-root setting for NEO Tru Game have been Seth Wilson (2021) and Malaki Branham (2021) who have have playing in the 15U Division.
Wilson, a point guard prospect who started as a freshman at St. V and averaged 11 points per game, finished off this weekend in Indianapolis averaging 19 points, six rebounds, four assists and 4 steals. He was also much more aggressive when attacking the rim.
“He really controlled the tempo of the game,” said one observer.
The 6’6” Branham dominated inside with his shot blocking shots and made contributions at both ends of the floor.
Powered by Wilson and Branham Tru Game went 3-0 in winning its pool and then lost its first game in the Elite 8.
Tru Game coach Danyele Love was pleased overall with her team’s performance. She said the moment of playing in an Elite-8 game got to her team causing it to start slow. It also didn’t help the loss came on the team’s third game of a long day at the gym.
Also impressing over the weekend was Amare Smith (2021) from Huntington, West Virginia; Anthony McComb from Dayton, and Naz Cameron (2021) , a 6’7″ post player from Lima, who earned a special mention from coach Love for the block shot he registered when he blocked a dunk attempt by a 7-foot tall opponent.
Tru Game will next play at a tournament in Columbus before heading off to play the EYBL session in Hampton, Virginia.
Recruiting update
Just to update those who might be wondering; Christian Guess (2018), a wing from Shaker Heights, who has not committed, was recently offered by Canisius, according to his social media.
Alex Heath (2018) , a lightening quick point guard who started for Garfield Heights, backed out of his commitment with Mercyhurst and decided to sign with a junior college in Illinois.