2021 Rankings Update: NWO 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…
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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.
(#18) Jamiya Neal, 6’4” W, Toledo St. Francis
In the context of his St. Francis career, we’re looking at Neal’s freshman season as the primer. Neal logged a ton of varsity minutes last season on an above average SFS team. But there was positional overlap and, therefore, no necessity to his production.
As a sophomore, however, Neal enters the season as the premier wing on a team with conference, district, possibly regional championship expectation. This will be Neal’s last season playing with 2019 prospects Jackie Harris and Jakiel Wells and potentially SFS’s most realistic route to winning the conference in his four-year stretch. Neal is an underrated playmaker and a quality secondary ball-handler with unique size in Toledo. Neal will also be able to defend up to four positions at the high school level.
(#28) Josh Thorbahn, 6’5” G, Ottoville
Thorbahn will continue his pursuit of the 1,000-point club at Ottoville this season, a benchmark he will certainly reach. The confident lefty is going to take rural Northwest Ohio by storm and everybody they played last season probably already knows it. He’s a big guard capable of handling and passing like a two and strong enough to defend threes. Thorbahn really knows how to score it in the halfcourt who doesn’t even need separation because of his size and power.
(#49) Brady Lichtenberg, 6’2” G, Toledo St. John’s
Lichtenberg is putting up major numbers as a sophomore quarterback for the Titans this fall. The basketball program will need him to set his feet and transition quickly into a starting role come December. Lichternberg will likely continue to play off the ball as a sophomore with an emphasis on spot shooting. With 2018 prospects Vincent Williams and Houston King off to D-I programs, however, Lichtenberg will likely also need to efficiently create shots off the dribble too.
(#52) Frank Waganfeald, 6’6” C, Oregon Clay
Waganfeald is a prospect with the potential to become a coveted 2021 post recruit in Ohio. His combination of a soft shooting touch, interior footwork, and ability to seal allow him to score consistently.
There are a couple flaws for him to clean up over time, but Waganfeald doesn’t have the luxury to simply work on weaknesses in the winter. Instead, he’s the go-to guy for Clay already. We’d expect Clay to filter the ball into the post and play through the sophomore quite a bit this season. While he may score a couple easy ones by running the floor, Waganfeald’s ability to create baskets with his back to the basket should be put to the test.
(#86) JLen Quinn, 5’8” PG, Scott
The Toledo City League may have taken a step back over the last decade-plus. But in 2018-19, the point guard battles will be pretty competitive on an almost-nightly basis. Quinn proved to belong in that mix as a freshman with his raw athleticism and defensive impact. Scott will need him to quickly develop into a savvy playmaker and consistent shot-maker to compete with Rogers or Start next season.