Second Team All Grassroots 2018
A mix of circuit, non-circuit, seniors-to-be, and underclassmen make up the Second Team All Grassroots for the state of Ohio.
Matt Allocco (2020), 6’3” PG, C2K Elite / Hilliard Bradley
Jeremiah Keene (2019), 6’1” PG, Nova (James) / Westerville North
Samari Curtis (2019), 6’4” G, C2K Elite / Xenia
Brandon Rush (2019), 6’2” G, TNBA Ohio / Warrensville Heights
Ethan Conley (2019), 6’3” G/W, Dayton Metro / Franklin Monroe
Allocco
UAA stats: 10.8 PPG (48-50-87 shooting splits), 4.0 RPG, 5.5 APG
Offers: Kent State, Akron, Toledo, Stony Brook, Oakland, IUPUI
Allocco was a model of consistency for Ohio’s no. 1 16U team this season. He provided high-level floor general qualities on a weekly basis and stepped up as a defender also. There’s an argument to be made that no single player was more valuable to C2K’s success this season because of the stability he provided.
Keene
Offers: South Carolina Upstate
Keene paced Nova to a very successful season, including a first place finish at the Super 16. He’s most threatening with a ball screen, which allows him separation for his long-range jumper. Keene also approaches the game with an emphasis on limiting turnovers, indications being his cautious decision-making and low dribble. Makes winning plays in crunch time and shows impressive finishing ability for a below-the-rim athlete.
Curtis
UAA stats: 12.2 PPG (40-35-79), 2.1 RPG, 2.2 SPG
The first member of Cincinnati’s 2019 recruiting class scored it with ease this season. His extended shooting range makes him an even tougher one-on-one matchup, which was already tough task because of his herky-jerky driving style. Curtis also impressed as an aggressive defensive risk-taker in C2K’s pressure style. Former Xavier commit.
Rush
Offers: Central Connecticut State, Farleigh Dickinson, Robert Morris
Rush earned Breakout Performer of the Year with his heightened explosiveness, playmaking, and ability to cause turnovers. From step-backs to aggressive takes, Rush was a score-first primary ball-handler for TNBA Ohio, yet he also can make passes on the drive or in the open floor.
Conley
Offers: Ashland, Urbana, Cedarville, Findlay, Tiffin
Conley combined his fluid mid-range game with a revved-up motor and big-bodied athleticism to impact various facets of the game for Dayton Metro. He scores it off the bounce, is a capable catch-and-shoot guy, rebounds with physicality and verticality, and defended 1-5 this season at the AAU level. Conley was a continual matchup problem and established himself as maybe the most prioritized D-II recruit amongst in-state powers.