2021 Rankings Update: Central Ohio Impact Sophomores
We are in a pretty slow time in the calendar in terms of basketball being played in the public eye. Naturally, we’re thinking and writing about what’s ahead at this point. So, with the high school season approaching and our…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWe are in a pretty slow time in the calendar in terms of basketball being played in the public eye. Naturally, we’re thinking and writing about what’s ahead at this point. So, with the high school season approaching and our updated 2021 Prospect Rankings dropping Tuesday, we’re taking a city-by-city/region-by-region look at the impact sophomores across Ohio.
(#10) Jack Pugh, 6’5” W/F, Hilliard Bradley
Pugh would’ve started on over 95 percent of teams in the OHSAA as a freshman. The combo forward prospect has had the motor, aggressiveness, and athleticism to average close to 10 rebounds a game for some time. Now that 2018 graduate Isaiah Speelman is off to Cedarville, Pugh will demand starter minutes. With it, expect Pugh to bring a provide a more athletic and speedier dimension to Bradley’s disciplined system. By the way, he has improved as a playmaker on straight-line drives and should pose mismatches on nights when there’s not an athletic wing for him to match with (e.g. Ben Roderick, Max Martz, etc.).
(#12) Tyrese Hughey, 6’6” F, Licking Heights
Hughey will likely takeover as the leading scorer for Licking Heights as a sophomore. The Licking County League’s most talented forward will also be under our microscope as a college prospect this season. He seems to be polishing up his ball-handling and outside shooting capabilities right now, despite having natural strength advantages around the basket. We’re interested to see how Hughey decides when to throw his fast-ball or changeup, so to speak.
(#36) Jainaz Cameron, 6’5” F, London
Dear Central Ohio, meet Lima Senior transfer Jainaz “Naz” Cameron. The 6’5” wrecking ball of a straight-line driver is one of the most physically imposing forwards in the area’s sophomore class. Although he hasn’t quite packed the poundage to his body, Cameron is a powerful scorer and rebounder. He will provide defensive versatility and a couple above-the-rim finishes this season, too. He’s joining Trey Woodyard at London, the two of which play in the summers together with NEO Tru Game.
(#40) Isaac Settles, 6’4′ G, Thomas Worthington &
(#57) Jalen Sullinger, 5’9” PG, Thomas Worthington
Settles is your big 6’4”-6’5” guard who relentlessly attacks the rim with athleticism. Meanwhile, Sullinger patiently breaks down defenders with his clever side-to-side crossovers — a threat to pass or finish with finesse once he speeds by. Together, thunder and lightning in TW’s backcourt could make them formidable a season after going 5-18. Both possess good court vision; but making quick decisions and capitalizing on the size and skill of their senior bigs, Ben Wight and Kyler Block, will be important.
(#50) Jake Lusk, 6’3” W/F, Johnstown-Monroe
Lusk in any sort of high-low post action with senior West Liberty commit Owen Hazelbaker is a recipe for high-percentage offense all day. Both players possess the shooting touch, passing ability, and power to exploit mismatches and be interchangeable in those spots. We’re not exactly sure where the rest of their production is going to come from, but Johnstown will be a physical team you won’t be excited to run into come the OHSAA Division III postseason.
(#58) Jack Christian, 5’10”, Marysville
Marysville was well under-.500 last season, but that doesn’t detain us from having some optimism for this year. With seniors Bodie Eberhart and Phil Hughes in the program for one more shot at a run, we like their potential as a good regular season team in the Ohio Capital Conference.
Between Eberhart and Christian, shooting will be their strength and it will provide one-on-one opportunities for everyone as the defense extends to the arch. On any given night, the sharp-shooting sophomore can waver from a 20-point guy as opponents scheme against the seniors to distractor who pulls defenses away from them. We think Christian is a younger version of Olentangy’s Sean Marks, by the way.