Weekend Warm-Up: Run n’ Slam 16U & 15U
After touching on Ohio’s 17U Run n’ Slam participants yesterday, we’re back for a 16U and 15U preview today.
Although the majority of D-II, NAIA, and D-III coaches at Fort Wayne this weekend will spend their time on 17U sidelines, it’s always nice to know who’s next!
Super Pools 16U
C2K Elite enters the weekend as one of the favorites to leave Fort Wayne with a trophy. They posted a point differential of +9.0 and a record of 3-1 in Indy last weekend at the UAA.
Both VonCameron Davis and Matt Allocco were offered by Kent State after the Indy session. Meanwhile, Davis was also offered by James Madison over the weekend and gained considerable MAC and high-major interest. The combo forward from Walnut Ridge averaged 14.5 points on 55 percent shooting to go along with 7.5 rebounds per game. He has stretched his game out recently with outside shooting and an improved handle.
Allocco, a long and quick defender with a special feel for the game, averaged 12.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and posted a 5.5 – 2.8 assist to turnover ratio in Indy. To go along with his Kent State and Miami of Ohio offers, Allocco has gathered plenty of interest this spring. Schools are excited about him potentially growing to 6’4” and adding muscle, which would make him an even more talented defender, finisher, and passer. Allocco has strong interest from certain MAC schools to go along with other growing interest from other Midwest Division I programs.
Also for C2K, skilled 6’8” forward Luka Eller averaged 8.0 points and 5.8 rebounds last weekend. Eller is being recruited by Davidson, Toledo, Dayton, Miami of Ohio, and Duquesne. The Lake Catholic junior-to-be has a skill-set tailored for modern basketball.
All Ohio Red also played well in Indy during the E16 Challenge. They finished 3-2, eventually falling short against Woodz Elite on Sunday morning.
Brush 6’9” center John Hugley impressed us with his combination of size, added burst, and basketball IQ on the block. Hugley is being recruited by Michigan State, Xavier, Dayton, Clemson, Purdue, and Michigan, per his high school coach Chet Mason. Meanwhile, Pick Central’s Josiah Fulcher has showcased instincts and athleticism on the wing during EYBL play last weekend.
Nova (Alleyne) earned their right into super pool status after an undefeated weekend at the adidas Gauntlet Silver in Indy. Nova has a lot of top-notch talent on the roster, but we wanted to touch on a couple underrated players with skill and size on the wing: Hunter Shedenhelm and Ethyn Kuhns.
Shedenhelm should play a significant role for Pick North next season as a 6’4” wing that can stretch the floor or finish with a finesse floater on the drive. His length is an asset defensively. Often on the opposite wing, Kuhns likes to put it on the floor and score with some physicality. He has excellent foot-work in the mid-range and paint, but mostly uses his body to nudge the defender off-balanced. Both have climbed our charts this spring so far.
Pools D-W 16U
We haven’t watched All Ohio Cleveland since the Nike Cup, which they won, but they’ve been rolling all spring. They’re coming off a Dru Joyce Classic Championship and are looking to test their talent against the best of the Midwest in Fort Wayne.
Garfield Heights wing/forward Brent Darby Jr. has moved his game towards the perimeter with a newfound outside jumper. Pennsylvania product Javontae Jones is only 6’4”, but he’s a high-motor rebounder with a lot of defensive versatility and hops. Last weekend’s newcomer Darren Rubin splashed home six triples in one game in Akron and opens up the floor for their slashers. State Champion Isaiah Ingol from STVM has also woken up coaches this spring with his IQ, defensive ability, and speed. Finally, Gbolahan Adio is a high-upside 6’4” wing with an improved handle and scoring ability.
From the Columbus area, Miller Factory will also be in the building in Fort Wayne. Although they finished 1-3 at the Nike Midwest Takeover, Youngstown State and Kent State have started recruiting Kaveon Ross. They also carry 2022 point guard Sean Jones from Gahanna South Middle School, who we’re told is their second best player at the 16U level.
All Ohio Rebels will be with Garvin Clarke this weekend, since the EYBL is off. Minus Clarke, the Rebels finished 3-1 at the Midwest Takeover last weekend. Freshman 6’4” wing Amarion Dickerson was watched by Akron, Duquesne, Dayton, Wright State, and Cleveland State two weeks back in Pitt.
Super Pools 15U
Another undefeated weekend in Indy for the Mid Ohio Pumas keeps their spring record unblemished going into Fort Wayne. Their long, skilled, and physical frontcourt of Garner Wallace, Jack Sawyer, and Logan Duncomb, is adding Jack Pugh to it for the Run n’ Slam. Pugh snagged countless rebounds last weekend at the 16U level for the Pumas. With the combination of him in Sawyer alone, they’d be a problem at Spiece.
All Ohio Red went 0-3 last weekend at the E15 challenge. However, they still carry a ton of top level guard talent, including Ramelle Arnold of Warrensville Heights. We like Arnold’s handle and ability to get into the lane because of his shiftiness. Manwhile, 6’4” wing Jamiya Neal has a ton of upside, in terms of versatility and slashing ability.
Pools D-V 15U
Other teams to watch at the 15U level include the Ohio Hoopsters (Tillman) and Cincinnati Royals White.
The Hoopsters have promising young talent on the roster. Forward/center Tyrese Hughey is oozing with potential because of his physical tools. Besides bullying people for positioning, Hughey also excellent shooting touch in the paint, activity, and quickness. Elhadjj Thiam and Isaac Settles also have good size for their position.
Isaiah Walker and Walter Mattingly lead the Royals and both will be players to watch throughout their career. Walker, a strong 6’2” guard/wing from Cincinnati Wyoming, gets to the basket and finishes through traffic. Meanwhile, Mattingly is a 6’5” wing/forward with some offensive ability in terms of shooting and handling the rock.