Ohio 2020 Rankings Update: Cincinnati Wings and Forwards
Throughout this week, we’re covering the entire 2020 class segmented by areas in the state. We began with Southeast, Northwest, Northeast, and Central Ohio Wednesday to Friday. For the weekend, we’re finishing up with Dayton and Cincinnati. Considering the high school…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThroughout this week, we’re covering the entire 2020 class segmented by areas in the state.
We began with Southeast, Northwest, Northeast, and Central Ohio Wednesday to Friday. For the weekend, we’re finishing up with Dayton and Cincinnati.
Considering the high school season’s imminence, it makes sense to compare players to guys they’ll compete with in the coming months. All the while, keep in mind that we want to focus mostly on the non-Division I prospects, instead bringing awareness to lesser-known recruits.
(#17) Nekhi Smith, 6’6′ F, Taft
Smith planted his flag in the top 25 of Ohio’s 2020 class this spring and summer with his undeniable athleticism and power. But we believe the next 12 months are when Smith really takes off. In a new high school situation, Smith should be able to groom his game as an inside-outside scoring threat who can defend three positions. Smith has a wide frame and he combines size, athleticism, and mobility better than almost any other forward in Ohio. Impact rebounder.
(#32) Max Land, 6’4” W/F, Moeller
Land is reportedly thriving in his first high school football season at Moeller. The junior’s raw athleticism is perfectly suited for the gridiron, but Land can also become a shut-down wing defender and electric slasher. He still struggled with decision-making and outside shooting in July, but he is absolutely electric. Land’s athleticism warrants a D-I scholarship in at least one of the sports.
(#35) Alex Mangold, 6’7” F, Lakota East
Between Findlay, Fairmont State, and Christian Brothers, Mangold has more Division II offers than any other junior in Ohio. His combination of size and skill made quite an impression on coaches of that level this grassroots season. However, as Mangold explained to us in September, his “main goal” is to acquire D-I recruitment next summer.
(#42) Aaron Ward, 6’6” W/F, Winton Woods
Ward still has as much potential as we raved about 12 months ago following his outstanding 15U season. His average of 4.0 points per game in 13.6 minutes last season wouldn’t be described as “encouraging” though. The promising part: Ward shot 69 percent on 72 field goal attempts last season. That number would likely drop with a higher volume of shots. But, an ability to create easy looks with his twitchy quickness, size, and bounce has been a strength for a while.
A new situation at Winton Woods may be all it takes for the raw combo forward to blow-up on the recruiting scene. If Ward can begin simplifying the game and taking advantage of his athletic edge, he would be versatile enough to gather Division I and II recruitment.
(#132) Nate Stieritz, 6’5′ F, Moeller
Stieritz definitely looked the part this July with the Pumas. He’s a strongly built kid with natural power and rebounding ability. It may be hard to distinguish himself to earn playing time in Moeller’s varsity rotation. But, his size, mobility, and scoring touch in the paint could be attractive enough to find a Division III landing spot.