Weekend Evals: District Tournament
The OHSAA playoffs are not only more exciting as a fan of the game, but also as a scout. You learn more about prospects in March than in the early season. How someone will play under pressure is of great…
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Continue ReadingThe OHSAA playoffs are not only more exciting as a fan of the game, but also as a scout. You learn more about prospects in March than in the early season. How someone will play under pressure is of great intrigue.
This weekend, I caught a couple double-headers — Friday at Lake, Saturday at Mason. The results:
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Northview over Toledo Central Catholic, 54-41
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Perrysburg over Toledo St. John’s, 43-42
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Aiken over Wyoming, 65-56
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Taft over Hughes, 81-71
Throughout, there were several players who rose to the occasion:
Sean Craig (2022), 6’5” F, Northview
stats: 7 points, 8 rebounds
The starting forward for Northview defended both the 1 and 5 in their win over Central. In space against the point guard, Craig used his length to compensate for a quickness disadvantage and forced contested shots. Communicates well on defense and switched appropriately. Provided resistance on post-ups against a big-bodied 6’6” center, too.
The freshman is truly versatile, and it doesn’t only show itself defensively. He also connected on a 3-pointer with his feet set, showed an ability to straight-line drive, and stayed active on the boards. Craig is one of the best frosh we’ve seen in Northwest Ohio.
Sam Clear (2019), 6’4” G, Northview
stats: 16 points, 3 rebounds
Clear’s outside shooting made a huge difference early — he entered halftime as the game’s leading scorer with 12 points. The lengthy 2-guard uses a confident high-release to shoot it over defenders. Most of his baskets came off the catch, but Clear also pulled up in transition for a 3-pointer to close the first half. Clear struggled to finish in traffic, though, as he appeared to avoid contact at the rim.
Alek West (2019), 6’4” PG, Northview
stats: 17 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists
The high-usage point guard for this undefeated Northview Wildcat team did a bit of everything to push them to the next round. West creates most of the shots for this team, whether it’s delivering a pinpoint pass in transition or driving and kicking in the halfcourt. He’s a much more willing outside shooter these days, too, making Central pay for going under ball-screens. West likes to get into the paint and use his footwork after jump-stopping around the basket. His size also proved to be a factor on the glass. Being 6’4” also means West can defend up a position.
Cameron Awls (2020), 5’11” G, Toledo Central Catholic
stats: 9 points, 7 rebounds
Awls puts on a ball-faking clinic every time we watch him play. His ability to create separation on the pump-fake and create a sliver of space to shoot on step-through moves in the post is elite. Finishes with either hand and does so with craft. Makes the extra pass. Good rebounder for his size. Very quick defender in one-on-one situations.
Jackson Sizemore (2020), 6’8” C, Perrysburg
stats: 17 points, 5 rebounds
Sizemore was dominate in the second half on Friday night as Perrysburg pulled the mini-upset over Toledo St. John’s. Scored it over either shoulder and gave the defender no chance to block his shot once he turned. Sizemore optimized his size advantage in other ways, too — creating space for teammates with screens, made passes over the top of the defense, and defended the rim with size. Sizemore connected on several 3-pointers. Big summer ahead for the blossoming big man.
Joey Edmonds (2019), 5’11” PG, Wyoming
stats: 11 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists
Edmonds came out of the gates on fire against Aiken, scoring eight of his 11 points in the first quarter. His ability to shoot off the dribble was on display. He settled into more of a facilitating and game management role going forward, showing off his elite court sense. Edmonds also impressed defensively, making his matchups score baskets over a high hand.
Evan Prater (2020), 6’5” F, Wyoming
stats: 15 points, 7 rebounds
Prater may have had the most impressive performance I saw this weekend. The two-sport prospect (football) converted heavily contested shots, both in the paint and on long-twos. His ability to create separation is underrated. Finished the first half with an insane put-back dunk where Prater caught the ball below his waist mid-flight and managed to put it through. Prater’s defense was also tremendous — he can truly defend almost every position at this level.
Isaiah Walker (2021), 6’4” W, Wyoming
stats: 16 points, 8 rebounds
Walker carried Wyoming’s scoring load in the second half, taking advantage of a spacious floor. He’s able to score it through contact at the rim, showing a nice combination of creativity with the ball and athleticism. Rebounds very well in traffic. Walker is a smart basketball player who excelled in his role this season. Slow release on his jumper but he shot it with success last night.
D’Arris Dean (2019), 5’11” G, Aiken
stats: 21 points, 7 rebounds
Dean has added so much more polish to his game since last season. He combines flashy — yet effective — ball-handling maneuvers with quickness to get to his spots in the lane. Although his court vision isn’t quite there, Dean did show the ability to find open shooters as the game went on — a crucial piece for someone who draws a second defender consistently. His outside jumper also looked better, but Wyoming was OK with him settling given Dean’s efficiency once he got down-hill.
Jakada Stone (2021), 6’0” PG, Aiken
stats: 23 points, 5 rebounds
Stone is what you’re looking for in a point guard — heady, efficient, able to knock down an open look, quick. Stone played beyond his years once again in this win over Wyoming. Excellent outside shooter. Used changes of speeds to get into the lane and showed good passing and finishing ability in the lane.
Paul McMillan IV (2022), 6’1” PG, Hughes
stats: 27 points, 4 rebounds
McMillan controlled tempo. He has a tendency to push the ball off the make, but doesn’t force it when the defense is set. Protected the ball very well against pressure. On the other end, he showed the ability to apply pressure himself — very quick laterally. McMillan scored most of his points on a floater, instead of getting all the way to the rim. He will become even more unguardable as his finishing moves become more unpredictable. Converts tough baskets over shot-blockers. High IQ.
Kenny Jackson (2019), 6’9” C, Hughes
stats: 4 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks
Jackson dominated the paint during his limited playing time. A big-bodied athletic 6’9” center, Jackson’s ceiling is pretty high if he can find the right system at the next level. He is quick block-to-block and runs the floor pretty well. Although it’s not his strength, Jackson can switch onto low-usage wings for a possession. Protecting the rim, however, is a major strength. Great touch inside. Active on the boards.
Chris’seon Stringer (2019), 6’3” W, Taft
stats: 22 points, 7 rebounds
Nobody was more crucial to their team success in last night’s double-header than Stringer. In the fourth quarter specifically, Stringer proved to be a matchup nightmare on isolations from the top of the key. He scored half of his points in the fourth quarter, including seven points from the free throw line alone. The Toledo football commit welcomes contact and drives through the teeth of the defense. Very effective jump stop. Big body.