Rankings Overview: Teams on the Rise
A weeklong series of Rankings Overview content has answered various questions about the upcoming high school season regarding college talent and teams to watch, for both fans and scouts. Specifically: Who are the 10 most talented teams? Who are the 10 most…
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Continue ReadingA weeklong series of Rankings Overview content has answered various questions about the upcoming high school season regarding college talent and teams to watch, for both fans and scouts.
Specifically:
- Who are the 10 most talented teams?
- Who are the 10 most talented frontcourts and backcourts?
- Which teams are deepest in college talent?
- Which programs are on the rise?
- Who are the most talented small schools?
We haven’tt just pulled names out of a hat or gone on hunches, either. Instead, we’ve got a formula. True science coming atcha!
Here’s how it works: every ranked player is assigned a numerical value based on their rank. For example, there are 200 players in the 2019 Prospect Rankings and prospect no. 1 counts for 200 points, no. 2 counts for 199, all the way down to no. 200 counting for 1 point. In the 2020 Prospect Rankings, the no. 1 player counts for 173 points because there are 173 ranked prospects. For 2021, there are 106 players.
So, we’ve totaled the values for each team and pulled which teams ranked highest in said categories. For example, Hamilton has 401 total points from D’Marco Howard (no. 68 in 2019 = 133 points), Jaylen Robinson (104 points), Trey Robinson (134 points), and Roemello Diablo (27 points). That also accounts for 237 backcourt points, 164 frontcourt points, and 164 rising teams points.
If you can’t tell, the process of it was super boring, unless you’re a real nerd like me. But the results are interesting! For instance, in this final Rankings Overview article, we’re looking at juniors and sophomores only. This isn’t about finding the best teams for this season, but the ones who have sustainable rosters.
#1 Moeller: 685 points
Juniors: Jake Younkin + Max Land + Nate Stieritz + Brad Colbert + Blake Lloyd
Sophomores: Logan Duncomb + William McCracken + Aidan Noyes + Alex Williams + Aidan Turner
The whole slew of ranked Moeller prospects appear here for the first time this week, since this is an article about the future. Despite being involved in every article this week, we haven’t really been able to dive deep on a 2021 class that has a ton of potential. McCracken and Noyes are a pair of 6’4” D-I guard/wings who can create shots, use their athleticism in different ways, and can defend. If you’re praying on Moeller’s downfall, this isn’t good news for you.
#2 Lutheran East: 639 points
Juniors: Nehemiah Benson + Dayvon Adams + TJ Blevins
Sophomores: EJ Farmer + Jalin Billingsley + Colin Albert + Sirr Hughes
Lutheran East’s entire top seven are non-seniors. Unless they get moved up to OHSAA Division II, it’s hard to imagine the Falcons not making it down to Columbus this season, next season, and the following. I mean, just look at that 2021 class!
#3 St. Edward: 564 points
Juniors: Grant Huffman + Devontae Blanton + Montorie Foster + Lawson Nash
Sophomores: Caleb Warren
“Rising” might not be the most accurate adjective for this group at Ed’s. This 2020 class has already risen. The trio of top 15 junior prospects provides the components for a run at the Division I State Championship for the next two seasons.
#4 Columbus South: 413 points
Juniors: Marcus Johnson + Trevell Adams + Tyrique Hawkins + Taquan Simington
South looks poised to dominate the Columbus City League the next two years now that Beechcroft, Eastmoor, and Africentric have graduated their 2018 classes. Expect a fast-pace style of basketball and an emphasis on points in the paint as this group leads the charge for the next two seasons.
#5 Garfield Heights: 405 points
Juniors: Brent Darby Jr. + Jesse Laster + Gilbert Davis
Sophomores: Meechie Johnson
Garfield Heights ranks as the most talented frontcourt in Ohio coming into next season. But their rising talent suggests a more guard-oriented offense is on the horizon with Meechie Johnson, the no. 1 2021 prospect, and his cousin Sonny Johnson Jr. leading the way. Expect a turnstile of college scouts and dazzled fans in their gym the next three years as these electric guards move through their career.
#6 Princeton: 400 points
Juniors: Isaiah Kennedy + Khalil Davis + Jaheim Thomas + Kaleb Crawford + Darrion Henry + Micah Thomas
Along with a couple two-sport stars who can control the glass, Princeton has a lot of roster overlap with their ball-handlers. Finding a way to maximize the talent of all their guards will be a challenge for the coaching staff. But having too much talent is a good problem to have … check that, it’s not a “problem” at all.
In other news, Cincinnati writer Dusty Wright tells me that freshman guard Bowen Hardman should contribute right away as one of the city’s top 2022 prospects.
#7 Pickerington North: 386 points
Juniors: Hunter Shedenhelm + Chris Scott
Sophomores: Jack Sawyer + Spencer George + Idris Lawrence
It may be difficult for Pick North to compete with the top senior-laden teams in the Ohio Capital Conference in 2018-19. But we don’t expect the giants to be sleeping long in Pick Town. Sawyer’s efficiency should continue to rise as his body development continues. Meanwhile, Shedenhelm is a big guard that can shoot and create shots off the dribble. Tack on freshman combo guard Dior Conners, who has an offer from Stony Brook already, and the Panthers will be one of Ohio’s best very soon.
#8 Toledo St. John’s: 345 points
Juniors: Caleb Smith + Elijah Kimmons + Dimitri Mitsopoulos
Sophomores: Brady Lichtenberg + Thomas Zsiros + Shane Garcia
There are at least a couple of other teams in the Three Rivers Athletic Conference that should be viewed as the favorites to win the league this season. However, SJJ’s cast of big wings are going to be tough to stop the following season because of the depth and versatility they’ll provide. Also, expect freshman 6’5″ post AJ Jump to play a lot this season — he might be Toledo’s best in that class.
#9 Pickerington Central: 340 points
Juniors: Tahleik Walker + Conner Maciag
Sophomores: Garner Wallace + Elhadji Thiam
When their loaded 2019 class moves on, the indication is that Pick Central will have one of the fastest teams in Central Ohio. Wallace and Thiam both get up and down the court fast for their position. Meanwhile, Walker is able to start the break with his defense while being an unselfish advancer of the ball. Maciag likes to pull-up from deep and is a nice defensive counterpart to Walker.
#10 Upper Arlington: 339 points
Juniors: Max Mollman + Jake Warriner + Fred Wilkes II
Sophomores: Kobe Buford
UA has a stable of sound role players coming up the ranks. The presence of Dane Goodwin and/or Max Martz provides clarity of roles for all these guys — everyone just plays to their strengths and knows who to get the ball to in crunch time. When the 2019-20 season dawns upon us, it will be interesting to see who of this group looks to extend their role into becoming a shot-creator and playmaker, and if it will work.