Regional Tournament Preview: Underrated Guard Prospects
Beginning Tuesday, the regional tournaments for each OHSAA division commence. Each bracket will be cut from 16 to four this week, all leading to the State Tournament in Columbus next week. Prep Hoops Ohio will cover the action around the…
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Continue ReadingBeginning Tuesday, the regional tournaments for each OHSAA division commence. Each bracket will be cut from 16 to four this week, all leading to the State Tournament in Columbus next week.
Prep Hoops Ohio will cover the action around the clock by hitting almost every corner of the state with game coverage this week. Look for a recap that will feature top performers from all of the action this weekend, too.
Before the first games tip at 5:30 on Tuesday, we wanted to highlight some of the lesser-known and undervalued characters who could play a major role this week. Below are our Underrated Guard Prospects, and we will be back with a list of forwards tomorrow.
For all of the regional semifinal match-ups in one place, check out our Twitter page. For all of the up-to-date brackets, visit the official OHSAA website.
Adrian Michael (2020), 5’10” G, Start — Division I Akron/Toledo
Michael is Start’s second leading scorer at 10.3 points per game, third in rebounds with 6.3. The junior combo guard provides both energy and efficient shot-making abiity. One of many Spartans who moves well without the ball, but his action is more threatening because of the catch-and-shoot ability from distance. Michael grabs loose ball rebounds and has a nose for the ball — big-time effort every night.
Luke Floriea (2020), 5’10” PG, Mentor — Division I, Cleveland
Floriea isn’t underrated in the sense that everyone in Cleveland does understand how meaningful he is for Mentor, a bona fide State Championship contender at this point. He, however, might be underestimated as a basketball prospect.
Seems likely that Floriea will take one of his Division I football offers, but he has scholarship ability on the hardwood, too.
Elite speed and below-the-rim athletic ability. Shows impressive defensive instincts and has the quickness to defend point guards. Scores it from everywhere, including a confident 3-point stroke and the ability to finish contested layups from weird angles.
Conner Maciag (2020), 6’2” G, Pickerington Central — Division I, Columbus
Every time we’ve watched the Tigers, Maciag has been excellent in his role. Whether it’s off the bench or as a starter, Maciag confidently takes open shots which forces his man to respect the threat instead of freely helping against the drive. Very much a capable athlete. Good team defender.
Tahleik Walker (2020), 6’2” G, Pickerington Central — Division I, Columbus
Walker’s defensive versatility at 6’2” is something to marvel at. On Saturday, for example, he checked Reynoldsburg 6’5” wing Ben Fort with success, allowing Pick Central’s primary scorers to expend more energy on offense. Beats ball-handlers to the spot and will not be pushed around if you try to big body him.
Ryan Marchal (2019), 5’8” PG, Centerville — Division I, Cincinnati
Marchal — who made an early commitment to Huntington Prep Post-Grad — scored 22 of Centerville’s 49 points in the district championship. The kid doesn’t lack guts, nor the ability to get to the basket. Marchal can handle the ball through contact, which facilitates his mid-rage scoring ability — takes and makes tough floaters and pull-up jays.
Graham Koppelman (2019), 6’4” G/W, VASJ — Division II, Canton
Koppelman may be overshadowed by a couple scholarship-level sophomore guards and an athletic front-line, but 6’4” kids that shoot the ball as well as him don’t grow on trees, either. He scored 20 points in the district championship. Knock-down shooter from distance who provides defensive versatility.
BJ Busbee (2021), 6’2” G, Benedictine — Division II, Canton
Busbee has really emerged this season as a 2-guard. With a big frame, capable shot-creation ability, and the major threat of outside shooting, watch for Busbee to turn heads this summer. He scored 15 points the last time Bene saw VASJ, where the Bengals triumphed 67-64 on Feb. 15. Expect him to blossom as a senior in an expanded role.
Trevell Adams (2020), 5’10” PG, Columbus South — Division II, Bowling Green
Adams is an explosive athlete at the point guard position. While he thrives in transition, Adams also makes good decisions with the ball in the halfcourt. Dynamic slasher. Leadership ability.
D’Arris Dean (2019), 5’11” G, Aiken — Division II, Kettering
Few guards have made the leap that we’ve seen from Dean from junior to senior season. He’s a prolific ball-handler who puts a ton of pressure on the defense when he catches on the wing — willing to shoot it from wherever (seriously, wherever) or break you down and get to the rim. Shoots a nice floater to avoid shot-blockers in the paint.
Twon Hines (2019), 6’1” G, Northridge —Division II, Kettering
Hines scored 32 points in their win over Taft — the biggest shocker of the Division II tournament thus far. The two-sport athlete (football) is a dynamic finisher who possesses the green light as a shooter. Hines can get up and down, rebound in traffic, and put pressure on opposing ball-handlers with defensive pressure. Finishes very well in traffic. Solid shooter when he has time.
Sabien Doolittle (2019), 6’4” G/W, Springfield Catholic Central — Division IV, Kettering
Doolittle is a polished wing scorer with a lot of shot creation ability off the dribble. Makes contested pull-up jumpers and knows how to use his body on contested shot attempts. Collegiate size on the wing.
Simon Blair (2020), 5’9” PG, South Central — Division IV, Canton
A big-time player at a small school, Blair is one of the most intriguing Division II point guard recruits in Ohio. Recently powered South Central past Colonel Crawford in the district final with clutch layup after clutch layup, scoring a game-high 15 points. Although driving for both points and assists are his strength, he is also a capable defender at the point of attack. Talented finisher, good feel, and a killer mid-range pull-up game.