Weekend Warm-Up: C2K Classic
The inaugural C2K Classic kicks off Saturday in Lima. Ohio’s first ever Under Armour affiliated grassroots program will host the two-day event, featuring programs from Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana.
Here’s what you need to know heading into the weekend.
17U
Outside of the host, All Ohio Gold is the state’s top team in the 17U division. They were 4-0 in Fort Wayne before being eliminated by All Ohio Red in the round of 16.
The well-rounded bunch relies on their starting backcourt to create shots. Usually in the halfcourt, Whitmer floor general Trey Syroka paces their offense. The high-academic recruit tells us he’s been recently in contact with Penn, American, John Hopkins, Hillsdale, and Ohio Northern. Syroka plans to visit American and Penn at some point this summer with visits to Hillsdale and Ohio Northern closer to the end of August.
Meanwhile, Alek West from Northview provides scoring in the lane, size, and a transition spark as Gold’s secondary ball-handler on the first unit. In-state programs Mount Vernon Nazarene and Ashland have been talking to West, along with the University of Chicago.
A couple weeks removed from a 2-2 weekend at the Run n’ Slam, Ohio Reign enters a pool with M2K Elite, Michigan United – Nemens, and 2nd Chance Stars.
This group features under-the-radar Northwest Ohio recruits who have emerging with an increased opportunity on the Reign. Max Denman, Payton Moyer, and Little Anderson are combining outstanding academic résumés with confident play right now. That top trio of players has jumped on various D-II, NAIA, and D-III recruiting boards recently.
Playing for top high schools teams Toledo St. John’s and Cardinal Stritch respectively, Moyer and Anderson have shined in an increased role. Moyer is getting reps as an aggressive primary ball-handler for the first time in a few years. Meanwhile, the defensive-minded Anderson is using an improved jumper to set-up driving lanes. Denman is a big 6’4” wing who will likely choose basketball over football in college.
Dayton Metro – Gudorf has an argument for the best team from the 937 this season. They’ll check into Pool 5 with Greg Grant Elite and CCB Premier — a winnable grouping.
Ethan Conley from Franklin Monroe has five offers coming into the weekend with no other recruitment to report. Jake Gudorf has filled out physically and is using his size against smaller guards. We’re told that the rising Brookville point guard has heard from Goshen and Urbana this spring.
16U
Most of C2K’s top players at the 16U level project as D-I recruits, especially in the backcourt where Zeb Jackson and Matt Allocco are pulling in offers from the Big 10 and MAC. Jackson recently became the second 2020 prospect in the state with an Ohio State offer.
Alocco, Luka Eller, and VonCameron Davis, will also be tracked by several mid-major programs in June and July. Coaches from the MAC, Horizon League, and Summit League have reached out already. Also, Joey Holifield is coming off a breakout performance on Sunday at the Run n’ Slam. It will be important for him to duplicate that production during the next Live Period. He has MAC interest.