Storm Classic: Top 2020 Performances
Grand Rapids was host to one of the top Midwest tournaments this weekend, as the Storm Classic featured several elite programs.
In terms of Ohio talent, our Under Armour affiliate C2K Elite and Nova Village acted as headliners. All Ohio Rebels, Ohio Varsity Shooting Stars, Ohio Varsity, Elite Basketball Club, and a couple others also made the trek up north.
One week before the Live Period, plenty of Ohio’s Division I prospects found a rhythm in their fresh new uniforms. However, there was talent up and down, including some breakout small college prospects and everything in between. Tomorrow, we’ll wrap up our Storm Classic coverage with a brief look at the 2021 prospects.
Kobe Righter, 5’11” PG, Nova (Alleyne) / Columbus DeSales
Righter is a confident lead guard who really excelled with an increased role this weekend after a couple teammates fell to injury. He’s sneaky on the drive and has crafty finishing skills with either hand. A consistent jumper would push Righter into a D-II projection but it’s not bad despite his unorthodox release. Excellent showing for the sleeper prospect.
Garvin Clarke, 6’0” PG, All Ohio Rebels / Euclid
Clarke kept the Rebels in striking distance in a respectable loss to C2K in the second round of the Platinum bracket. The high-IQ point showed off another layer to his newfound shooting ability this weekend, as he was stepping back and for triples against contested defense. He sees the floor very well and knows how to run a team. Excellent control and intangibles. Clarke doesn’t cause a ton of turnovers or anything but he’s a premiere on-ball defender.
Zeb Jackson, 6’3” G, C2K Elite / Maumee Valley
Tahleik Walker, 6’2” PG, Nova (Alleyne) / Pickerington Central
We’ve been continually impressed with Walker over the past few months. He can play either guard spot. Ths weekend, he was effective in the pick and roll when he started from the left wing and drove middle. He showed a good feel in that situation. He changes speeds cleverly and fires up a nice floater often. Walker’s jumper is inconsistent but he’s not a complete liability from outside by any means.
In the open floor, Walker is not only fast but he’s also able to elude defenders for finishes. Slippery slashing game. He also has upside as a defender because of his quickness and length.
Joey Holifield, 6’1” PG, C2K Elite / Cardinal Stritch
Matt Allocco, 6’3” PG, C2K Elite / Hilliard Bradley
Ethyn Kuhns, 6’3” G, Nova (Alleyne) / Bloom Carroll
Kuhns is a physical combo guard who wants to get into the basket for high-percentage shots. He welcomes contact and can handle it with his filled out upper body. Although he’s not particularly quick, Kuhns beats defenders because the threat of his jumper forces defenders to close-out hard. He got better as the weekend went on. Score-first player who is more of a secondary ball-handler than a point.
Hayden Stone, 6’8” C, Nova (Alleyne) / Carey
Mo Njie, 6’9” C, C2K Elite / Centerville
Cole Metzler, 6’5” F, Nova (Alleyne) / Canal Winchester
Playing hard matters; Metzler’s effort didn’t go unnoticed this weekend. He hardly ever had the ball thrown into him on post-ups but still tallied several buckets after offensive rebounds. Metzler also played disciplined defense in the post by challenging shots without fouling. He left it on the floor this weekend and we loved it.
Luka Eller, 6’8” F, C2K Elite / Lake Catholic
Eller continues to grow in terms of size and skill. He is a legitimate 6’8” right now and is noticeably starting to add muscle. The improved strength is allowing him to finish through contact around the basket. However, back to the skill component, Eller also has fluid post moves and can finish cleverly over either shoulder. Eller shoots the ball better than anyone in Ohio who is his height. Willing screener, although he could improve at setting a more effective pick.