Prep Hoops Ohio All-State-Tournament Teams
After breaking down the semifinals — D-I, D-II, D-III, and D-IV — while highlighting News Names and Under-the-Radar performers throughout the weekend, it’s time to turn our attention the stars of the State Tournament.
For all four divisions, here are the Prep Hoops Ohio All-State-Tournament Teams:
DIVISION I
MILES “DEUCE” MCBRIDE
ALEC PFRIEM
Seth Wilson Seth Wilson 6'1" | PG Lorain | 2021 State #214 Nation OH
LUNDEN MCDAY
BEN RODERICK
Miles “Deuce” McBride (2019), 6’2” G, Moeller
totals: 29 points (12-19 FGs), 11 rebounds, 6 assists
A year after playing less-than-100-percent in the Final Four, McBride was back to full-stength in 2019. Or, better yet, full speed! The West Virginia commit can get the ball up the floor in a hurry, which is a problem for the defense because of his ability to finish tough runners in traffic or stop on a dime for a snatch-back into a pull-up. McBride can also pick you apart in the half-court — at either tempo, he was in control. His range has definitely been extended beyond the arch. Effective rip-through move from the wing. Defensively, he never allows his matchup a clean look at the basket. He should be able to defend both guard spots at the next level because of his length and defensive prowess.
Alec Pfriem (2019), 6’4” F, Moeller
totals: 39 points (15-22 FGs), 18 rebounds, 8 assists
The Bellarmine commit proved to be one of the premier D-II college recruits in Ohio. He was the best passer we saw this weekend given his decision-making and precise dimes to cutters. Those passing lanes become wider when you finish as well as Pfriem. He got buckets in traffic with either hand, whether it was on a face-up or in transition. Absolutely cleaned up in two-on-one opportunities — the threat of the drop-down pass or shot left defenders clueless. Shoots floaters and face-up 12-footers at an extremely efficient clip.
Seth Wilson Seth Wilson 6'1" | PG Lorain | 2021 State #214 Nation OH (2021), 6’1” PG, St. Vincent-St. Mary
totals: 21 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals
Wilson recovered from a zero-for-eight shooting night on Friday by being, arguably, the best player on the floor in the Division I finals. He’s very comfortable shooting the ball off the dribble and has a go-to move with his side-step shot from distance, which all comes in one motion. Wilson also directed traffic and brought a sense of calmness to the floor against Moeller. Patient floor general with big, strong hands. Elite rebounder at the point guard spot. Nice running-floater.
Lunden McDay (2019), 6’3” G, St. Vincent-St. Mary
totals: 30 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
McDay’s offensive scoring package will translate nicely once he puts on the Ohio Bobcat jersey. In one-on-one situations from the wing he does a nice job of stepping directly at the defender, giving them a little wiggle, and taking what the defender gives him. McDay has become a knock-down shooter, both from distance on the catch and pull-ups. Also finishes around the rim and uses the shot fake well from the inside or out. Great jab step. McDay limited his matchup in both games, sticking close to his assignment off the ball and forcing them to dribble several times if they were to score.
Ben Roderick (2019), 6’5” W, Olentangy Liberty
totals: 25 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists
Roderick did everything he could to keep Liberty alive on Friday night, taking matters into his own hands in the second half. Scored on contested fade-aways from the paint and showing a skilled side-to-side game on drives. Makes some of these buckets look effortless, though. Roderick has great court sense with his back to the basket on post-ups from 15-feet — either attacking with space or finding open shooters. St. Bonaventure offered shortly after the game.
DIVISION II
Amari Davis Amari Davis 6’4 | SG Trotwood | 2019 State OH
Trevell Adams Trevell Adams 5'10" | PG Columbus South | 2020 State OH
Carl Blanton Carl Blanton 6'2" | SG Trotwood | 2020 State OH
TA’QUAN SIMINGTON
JUSTIN STEPHENS
Amari Davis Amari Davis 6’4 | SG Trotwood | 2019 State OH (2019), 6’4” G, Trotwood
totals: 57 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 8 steals
With so much talent circulating Value City Arena this weekend, it’s pretty special when a kid emerges so clearly as the best player in his division. For D-III, Davis accomplished just that by setting weekend-highs in points (57), field goals made (26), and steals (8).
The Green Bay commit flies around the court at lightning speed, snagging interceptions and gliding past opponents for highlight finishes. He scored it with either hand at the rim, often adjusting the ball mid-flight to avoid a swipe. Davis has also extended his range beyond the 3-point line, which just makes his one-dribble pull-up game even more of a weapon.
Trevell Adams Trevell Adams 5'10" | PG Columbus South | 2020 State OH (2020), 5’9” G, Columbus South
totals: 29 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, 2 steals
Adams had the breakout performance of the weekend Saturday afternoon. The explosive combo guard showed an ability to command the offense as the primary ball-handler, even flashing a little side-to-side game off the bounce. Made good passes to shooters, despite Trotwood’s pressure barreling down on him. Looks to thread the needle on passes to forwards at times. Talented leaper who explodes to the basket for finishes, rebounds, and rejections. Impressive body control when he finishes in traffic.
Carl Blanton Carl Blanton 6'2" | SG Trotwood | 2020 State OH (2020), 6’3” G, Trotwood
totals: 38 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists
Blanton once again stuffed the stat-sheet this weekend by aggressively attacking the basket, no matter how many opponents were in his way. Tremendous footwork in traffic on straight-line drives and can finish from tough angles over shot-blockers. Shot eight-for-eight from the free throw line throughout the weekend. Very capable outside shooter.
TaQuan Simington TaQuan Simington 6'0" | SG Columbus South | 2020 State OH (2020), 6’2” G, Columbus South
totals: 22 points, 13 rebounds, 9 assists, 4 steals
Simington played very well over the course of the weekend despite missing a large chunk of the second half Saturday with foul trouble. Nonetheless, the athletic guard was impressive in his ability to finish in traffic creatively. An explosive athlete, Simington is able to adjust in the air on contested finishes and always keeps the ball high. Took advantage of two-on-ones by making the right drop-down passes. Surprisingly impactful changing shots at the last line of defense against Trotwood. Simington is a high-motor defender with the physical tools to defend both guard spots. He has a useful pull-up game that he didn’t show much of this weekend.
Justin Stephens (2019), 6’6” C, Trotwood
totals: 10 points, 20 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 blocks
Trotwood — the first team in OHSAA history to score 3,000 points in one season — put up 179 in 64 minutes this weekend. Games were played up-and-down at a constant pace, which made Stephens’ ability to keep possessions alive on the offensive glass a back-breaking sight for opponents. The Toledo football commit, also, didn’t force put-backs when the defense was in position. Defended the rim with length on the few half-court possessions throughout the weekend.
DIVISION III
CJ Anthony CJ Anthony 6'0" | PG Harvest Prep | 2020 State OH
SOUL HINES
Nehemiah Benson Nehemiah Benson 6'6" | PF Lutheran East | 2020 State OH
Joey Holifield Joey Holifield 6'2" | PG Cardinal Stritch | 2020 State OH
ELJIAH GLENN
CJ Anthony CJ Anthony 6'0" | PG Harvest Prep | 2020 State OH (2020), 6’0” PG, Harvest Prep
totals: 38 points (13-17 FTs), 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals
What we loved about Anthony this weekend — and it’s not a new thing — is how he maximizes his physical strength. Anthony seeks contact when he gets into the lane. Shoots 77 percent at the free throw line. Takes the right chances on defense and can rip the ball out of an opponent’s hands. May not have the most dynamic side-to-side handle, but Anthony dribbles through contact while still seeing the floor. Excellent rebounder. All in all, his strength is complimented by a cut-throat-mentality and high-IQ. Tracks down loose balls and dives on the floor when he needs to.
Soul Hines (2019), 6’4” G, Harvest Prep
totals: 18 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
Hines pitched a perfect game in the Division III State Championship, connecting on all of his field goal and free throw attempts and scoring 13 points. He shot the ball confidently in transition especially, stepping into 3-pointers in rhythm. Hines also impressed on a drive early on Saturday where he hit a defender with a hesitation at the arch before blowing by for the layup. Provided defensive rebounding and made quick reads when he received passes. The unsigned senior went out with a bang.
Nehemiah Benson Nehemiah Benson 6'6" | PF Lutheran East | 2020 State OH (2020), 6’6” F, Lutheran East
totals: 25 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists
We’re leaving the weekend anxious to to track how Benson’s next few months unfold. He showed off a whole slew of intriguing tools, combining size with athleticism as impressively as anyone in the D-III Final Four. Benson’s outside stroke is very promising, but he also battled for seven offensive boards in the championship game. Scored on a euro step in transition against Stritch. Brushes off contact — next level body. Great touch inside.
Joey Holifield Joey Holifield 6'2" | PG Cardinal Stritch | 2020 State OH (2020), 6’2” PG, Cardinal Stritch
totals: 22 points, 9 rebounds
Holifield showed off his ability to be effective around the basket and defend a D-I wing-guard prospect in EJ Farmer EJ Farmer 6'5" | SG Cleveland Heights | 2021 State OH . Combines elusiveness with power on his drives to the basket — equally capable of euro-stepping in traffic or finishing through contact after an old school jump stop. Went eight-for-11 at the free throw line in their loss against Lutheran East. Tireless effort having face-guarded Farmer most of the way.
Elijah Glenn (2019), 6’5” C, Harvest Prep
totals: 18 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists
Throughout the weekend — including down the stretch in the championship win — Harvest Prep was able to throw the ball to Glenn around the arch and rely on him to make a play. He knocked down open shots from the outside and delivered flashy passes to cutters. Controls space and rebounded quite well. He can put the ball on the floor. Glenn also handles contact on post-ups, which allows him to be patient and work through his moves.
DIVISION IV
JAVIN ETZLER
KALEN EZTLER
WADE SHEETS
DREW KLINE
SAM HABEGER
Javin Etzler (2019), 6’7” F, Convoy Crestview
totals: 35 points, 23 rebounds, 2 assists
The highlight of the D-IV Final Four was Etzler’s 16-point third quarter on Friday, the difference in a close game against Richmond Heights. He was, also though, dominate around the basket all weekend. The Miami (OH) commit capitalized on his size advantage in both matchups on the defensive glass by controlling space and elevating for rebounds. When he wasn’t connecting on tough pull-up jumpers, Etzler took his mismatch into the post and scored on reverse pivot turn-arounds and baby hooks. Finished through contact all weekend, including three and-ones in that magical third quarter against the Spartans.
Kalen Etzler Kalen Etzler 6'8" | PF Convoy Crestview | 2021 State #208 Nation OH (2021), 6’8” F, Convoy Crestview
totals: 21 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals
There are three specific areas of the game that stood-out with the younger Etzler this weekend (besides the obvious length and physical attributes). First, his passing. Finds creative ways to hit the target, sees the floor, and showed an understanding of when to improve the angle when passes were denied. Next, Etzler defends the dribble drive very well, taking advantage of his length and foot speed. Finally, he’s becoming more dynamic off the dribble. Uses the pump fake well to get past the first line of defense and scored it on creative one-dribble moves. After being a bit passive around the rim in the first game, Etzler asserted himself on championship Saturday.
Wade Sheets (2019), 6’4” W, Convoy Crestview
totals: 25 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists
Sheets scored 21 of his 25 points in the championship, a game-high. The Air Force football commit bullied smaller wings by posting up and staying active on the offensive glass. Sheets’ strong frame and athleticism was all he needed to finish through the body and record a few and-ones. Made a couple nice ball-fakes with his back to the basket before taking off on drop steps. Sheets went five-for-five in the second half against Hiland, scoring 12 points. Added a couple pull-up jumpers today, too.
Drew Kline (2019), 5’9” PG, Convoy Crestview
totals: 7 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals
Kline played his best game on Friday with pestering defense, on-target and on-time passes to shooters in transition, and fearless drives. He’s a scrappy defensive player who causes problems for the other team’s primary ball-handler. Protected the ball for the most part and keeps his low-dribble alive in traffic. Plays to his strengths and doesn’t force it. Athletic and tough.
Sam Habeger (2020), 6’3” F, Hiland
totals: 29 points, 8 rebounds
Habeger is a new name in the database. The face-up 4 was pretty incredible this weekend considering his assignments — Javin Etzler and Caden Niekamp. Scored a ton on straight-line-baskets, where Habeger was surprisingly slippery — scooted past larger defenders and kept the ball extended to avoid being blocked. Also hit a couple tough turn-arounds and hook shots over length. Moves quite well and denied passes on help-side. Plays very hard. Solid athlete.