Grassroots Team Rankings 17U (Spring Edition)
After quite a few miles on the Chrysler Sebring this spring, it’s time to release the Ohio team rankings over the next three days.
Here we go.
1. All Ohio Red
2. Nova (James)
3. TNBA Flash
4. C2K ELite
5. Nova (Russell)
6. All Ohio Cincinnati
7. All Ohio Gold
8. Northwest Ohio Basketball Club
9. TNBA Ohio
10. Ohio Basketball Club
11. Apex Basketball Club
12. Ohio Hoopsters – Nakasian
13. Mid Ohio Pumas Elite
14. All Ohio Black
15. Nova (Morgan)
16. Dayton Metro
17. NEO Shooting Stars
18. Miller Factory
19. Ohio Reign
20. Ohio Hoopsters – LBC
Tier 1
All Ohio Red
Although the EYBL Circuit hasn’t been kind to All Ohio Red — they are 5-11 in the Nike circuit, a record that is tied for last in Division C — they pretty much solidified their no. 1 spot with a Run N’ Slam Championship.
Red’s roster full of Division I prospects has been led by Ohio State verbal commit Alonzo Gaffney, rising guard Josh Corbin, and Reynoldsburg graduate Tre Williams. A win against Drive Nation in Hampton last week gives them a signature victory against a national top 25 team.
Tier 2
Nova (James), TNBA Flash, C2K Elite, Nova (Russell)
The first of three Nova teams to make the list has two quality tournament wins: Indianapolis adidas Gauntlet Silver Session II and the Super 16. Although we fully expect to experience some online ridicule for not ranking all the shoe teams one through three, Nova has proven capable of beating circuit teams like Indy Heat and Illinois Wolves. Also, Nova (James) has two wide-margin victories over top ten teams All Ohio Gold and TNBA Ohio.
TNBA Flash is 32-6 and has won the Solon Cage Classic, NEO Make It Rain Fest, and Showdown in Massillon. Although those aren’t headliner events, their record is undeniable and deserving of the no. 3 spot.
C2K Elite was a secure no. 2 a couple weeks ago. However, the UAA affiliate has faltered lately with a combined record of 2-5 at the Run N’ Slam and C2K Classic. Digging deeper into the box score, they played in super pools in both of those events and still have signature wins against circuit opponents.
Nova (Russell) started out the spring strong with a championship at the Battles for Borders. They continued their stellar play at various Hoop Group events and the Run N’ Slam, despite being shorthanded on most weekends.
Tier 3
All Ohio Cincinnati, All Ohio Gold
Both of these All Ohio affiliates hardly ever lose on Saturdays. It’s a toss-up between the two. All Ohio Cincinnati is a problem when former Hughes point guard Giovanni Santiago is in the lineup. He led this group to a semifinal appearance at the Run N’ Slam, for example. Meanwhile, All Ohio Gold had arguably the best weekend of any Ohio 17U team at the Pitt Jam Fest back in late April.
Tier 4
NW Ohio, TNBA Ohio, OBC
NW Ohio, headlined by Marion Local 6’7” wing Nathan Bruns, gets the bump after a nice weekend at the Memorial Day event at Spiece. They have also posted winning records at highly competitive tournaments like the Nike Midwest Takeover and Run N’ Slam.
Meanwhile, it’s been hard to truly get a read on OBC because they’ve only played 12 games all spring because of injuries. They’ve won just 25 percent of those games. Regardless, Ohio’s adidas Gauntlet Gold affiliate cracks the top ten for a couple impressive wins and D-I talent.
Tier 5
Apex, Ohio Hoopsters – Nakasian, Mid Ohio Pumas Elite, All Ohio Black, Nova (Morgan), Dayton Metro, NEO Shooting Stars, Miller Factory, Ohio Reign, Ohio Hoopsters – LBC
There’s very little separation here in Tier 5, which also includes unranked teams Hidden Gems Orange and TNBA East Black.
A couple quick hits:
- All Ohio Black is dangerous when all their players are available, especially stock-risers Jayson Woodrich and Kevin Davet.
- Nova (Morgan) underwent a few roster changes in April but has really hit a stride lately. They played their best ball at the Super 16 and competed against Gauntlet competition in Chicago last weekend.
- Ohio Reign and OH-LBC have also bloomed in May. The Reign performed as well as any Ohio team at the inaugural C2K Classic and went 3-1 in Chicago. Meanwhile, OH-LBC has a group of overachievers that we encourage in-state programs to check out for sleeper prospects.