Toledo District Semifinals: Stock-Risers
We’ve spent the last two nights at Savage Arena on the University of Toledo’s campus. Both sessions featured a Division I double-header of district semifinals. Game results: Whitmer over Anthony Wayne, 54-31 Start over Toledo St. Francis, 60-35 Lima Senior…
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Continue ReadingWe’ve spent the last two nights at Savage Arena on the University of Toledo’s campus. Both sessions featured a Division I double-header of district semifinals.
Game results:
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Whitmer over Anthony Wayne, 54-31
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Start over Toledo St. Francis, 60-35
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Lima Senior over Holland Springfield, 57-48
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Perrysburg over Northview, 48-37
One of the four survivors will represent Northwest Ohio in a regional final. Most people before the tournament began would’ve told you it would come down to Whitmer and Lima. I don’t believe anything has changed in that regard. But, both Start and Perrysburg were both way-better-than-expected in this round, so who knows what could happen.
Time will tell. For now — and as always — let’s talk about the top performing prospects from the action.
Eddie Colbert (2019), 6’7″ F, Whitmer
stats: 20 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks
Colbert’s ascension as a wing scorer/offensive weapon just never stops. The college program that is able to see that through for the next four years will be lucky — if he lands Division II, Colbert will certainly become a difference-maker. Wednesday, his pivots and pump fakes off the pro hop were unguardable and he showed more comfort handling in the open floor. Converted 3-pointers without much space. The unsigned senior used athleticism and length to be a shot-blocker and rebounder around the basket.
Trey Syroka (2019), 5’10” PG, Whitmer
stats: 9 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover
Syroka’s control of the game is always the most impressive piece of his game. Against Anthony Wayne, it was specifically his ability to freeze defenders with changes of speeds, head fakes, and ball fakes that stood out. Uncanny ability to create shots for others. Syroka also limited his turnovers to just one and extended their third quarter lead with a pair of triples.
Leon Hughes (2019), 6’5″ F, Whitmer
stats: 4 points, 4 rebounds
Hughes is probably a 4 at the next level for most programs, but his defensive versatility is where the intrigue resides. Light on his feet and knows how to utilize length to contest shots and disrupt passing lanes. Stayed glued to AW’s leading scorer Max Denman, a 6’4” wing. Constant effort out of Hughes every time he steps on the floor.
Zach Szul (2020), 6’3″ PG, Anthony Wayne
stats: 9 points, 4 rebounds
Szul was a bright spot for the Generals. Used changes of pace and creative maneuvers to get to the rim a couple times. Finished inside and made clever cuts on the back-side of the defense. Active offensive rebounder. Good rhythm on his one-dribble pull-up and used the pump fake to create space. Possesses size advantage at the point guard spot, both with height and strength.
Adrian Michael (2020), 5’10” G, Start
stats: 17 points, 3 rebounds
Michael is an undersized shooting guard with a quick release, 3-point range, and a lot of moxie. His energy was constant in Start’s blow-out win. Michael corralled a few loose ball rebounds and was always in the picture on defense when the Knights tried to score in transition. Impressed with his patience on the offensive end of the floor and acceptance of a role as their secondary ball-handler.
Devin Williams (2019), 5’8″ PG, Start
stats: 6 points, 5 assists
Start has a lot of really ideal role players and I don’t mean to down-play those guys with the following statement, but I don’t know where the Spartans would be without Williams. The high-usage point guard restores order on every half-court possession by initiating sets. He’s also sneaky fast and can create separation by stopping on a dime. Dished a couple big-time drop-down dimes in the paint.
Josiah Fulcher (2020), 6’2″ G, Lima Senior
stats: 18 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals
Fulcher, a 6’2” 2-guard, impacts games for Lima in so many ways. Scores the ball from all over the floor, including catch-and-shoot jumpers from distance and elusive finishes in traffic. His explosiveness off the floor is key on the dribble-drive and on the glass — kept possessions alive against Springfield by grabbing a game-high four offensive rebounds. His defensive ability, though, may have been the top piece of his performance in the district semis. Fulcher’s anticipation against slashers and quickness leads to charges in one-on-one situations. He also stays active in passing lanes.
Jackson Sizemore (2020), 6’8″ C, Perrysburg
stats: 16 points, 8 rebounds
Sizemore has keyed back-to-back upsets for Perrysburg, the latest coming against the no. 3 team in the Division I AP Poll in Northview. The highlight of the night was a two-handed poster in transition, where Sizemore showed off his length and ability to run the floor. He finished over the defense once more later in the game for an and-one layup. As far as post-ups, Sizemore is both patient and ambidextrous when he has space to operate. Provided rim protection and a presence on the defensive glass.