Top 250 Expo Junior Preview
We’re creeping closer and closer towards Sunday’s Top 250 Expo at Pickerington North.
As of Thursday morning, Asbury, Ashland, Baldwin Wallace, Charleston, Denison, Hillsdale, Hiram, IU East, John Carroll, Lake Erie, Marian, Marietta, Mount St. Joseph, Ohio Dominican, Ohio Northern, Ohio Wesleyan, Otterbein, Paul Quinn, Siena Heights, Waynesburg, Wittenberg, and Wooster comprised the list of colleges set to attend.
There’s only one reason they’re coming: the prospects. For the 2020 class, we’re getting to that time where potential needs to turn into production. A successful Sunday for these players includes making tangible impact on the games and showing mature IQ.
At the end of August, we looked at the Early Entry Guards and Forwards (click the links to read about those). Now, we’re looking at the other known commodities who signed up later to bring their talent to Pickerington North from noon to 5PM Sunday.
Simon Blair, 5’10” PG, South Central
Blair was one of the top breakout players from last season’s Top 250 Expo. The cerebral point guard has impressed since with the Wooster Warriors, solidifying his place at no. 54 in the current 2020 prospect rankings. Blair plays with true court sense and feel. He’s a terrific mid-range scorer with his pull-up jumper, but he can also finish at the rim with creativity with either hand. Blair also moves his feet very well defensively.
Colby Cross, 5’10” PG, Cedarville
Cross is a score-first point guard that attacks the rim with changes of speed and is best when working with a ball screen. He has a reliable floater and is a capable outside shooter when he has space. Consistently keeping teammates involved and improving as a defender are the two things we continue to look for from Cross.
VonCameron Davis, 6’5” W/F, Walnut Ridge
A year after flashing potential through interior scoring and athleticism as a rising freshman, Davis started really putting it together as a starter on C2K Elite, Ohio’s no. 1 16U team. He has earned five offers since the spring — James Madison, Kent State, Toledo, Youngstown State, Bowling Green. Davis’s powerful downhill driving style and the effectiveness of his spin move make it very tough on defenses, even if people are in position to guard him. Uncanny ability to make difficult shots in the paint.
Jordan Garland, 6’5” W/F, North Royalton
Garland impressed with SMAC Primetime in July as a power-type capable of playing either forward spot. He runs the floor, has a nice first step, and can put it on the floor to make plays for others. Good enough lateral quickness. Garland also has a solid frame that allows him to defend big. On the other hand, we’re worried about his assertiveness, making this open setting an interesting data point on Garland.
Chris Herbort, 6’2” G, Beavercreek
Herbort is a tough combo guard with an interesting two years ahead of him as a prospect. We think he’s potentially good enough to reach the Division II level, but it’s hard to say right now. He shoots it well, makes good decisions with the ball, works very hard, and has some creativity off the dribble. We’re sure he’ll assert himself as a playmaker, communicator, and irritating defender all day — type of kid others will enjoy playing with.
Luke Howes, 6’1” PG, Fairview
Howes drew some buzz from Prep Hoops Indiana at a Univ. of Indianapolis elite camp last month for his creativity and consistent performance. Upon watching a couple games of film, we also come away impressed with the hidden gem talent. Howes makes the game easier for his teammates by delivering timely passes after sucking the defense’s attention via the drive. Excellent court sense and secure ball-handling ability. Howes is an aggressive and handsy on-ball defender who communicates well on switches away from the ball. Good shooter. Circle the name and make sure you watch him Sunday!
Jaden Woods, 6’4” W/F, Newark
Woods brings intrigue into the event after showing raw athleticism and sustained effort throughout the grassroots season with Miller Factory. He simply got the job done playing out of position as their tallest player. He can shoot it a little bit, but he mainly was used as a rebounder. Woods constantly beat opponents up the floor and thrived as a transition player. However, we’re definitely mostly interested to see if he can find success off the dribble or as a shooter.