2021 Rankings Update: Top 20 NW Ohio Prospects
Northwest Ohio’s 2021 class includes the no. 1 prospect statewide, a number of wings that will play at an assortment of college levels, and enticing post players who are just scratching the surface. Kalen Etzler | 6-8 PF | Convoy…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingNorthwest Ohio’s 2021 class includes the no. 1 prospect statewide, a number of wings that will play at an assortment of college levels, and enticing post players who are just scratching the surface.
Kalen Etzler | 6-8 PF | Convoy Crestview
Etzler is the top prospect in Ohio’s 2021 class. A confident shot-maker from everywhere on the court, Etzler can stretch out opposing bigs or punish wings inside with skill. He’s a very underrated passer, finding clever ways to use his length in delivering passes while seeing the floor because of his height. Eztler runs the floor fluidly and can defend slashing guards with quick feet and a terrorizing wingspan. Expect a busy summer of recruitment coming his way.
Jamiya Neal | 6-6 SF | Toledo St. Francis
Neal is one of the most athletic wings in the class. Knows how to get to the basket driving towards his right by keeping defenders off balance with hesitation moves. Finishes athletically above the rim and uses his natural size and athleticism to cause deflections.
Josh Thorbahn | 6-5 SF | Ottoville
A pure scorer from rural Ohio, Thorbahn will likely draw much more attention these next few months playing on the Under Armour circuit with C2K . Strong frame that allows him to score inside against smaller guards and rebound in traffic. Thorbahn’s shooting ability is elite. Capable secondary ball-handler and good decision-maker.
AJ Adams | 6-4 SF | Findlay
Adams is a physical combo forward who scores tough buckets through contact in the paint. Findlay’s leading scorer as a sophomore, Adams was efficient in the mid-post, whether it was getting to the free throw line or scoring cleanly. Rangy defender who forces opposing wings to take tough shots and pick up their dribble. Not a remarkably skilled ball-handler yet, but Adams does change speeds quite well.
Steve Coleman | 6-4 SF | Maumee Valley
Coleman has Division I athleticism, yet brings a glue guy’s mentality to the floor. He’s comfortable making his impact on the glass, defending multiple positions, and flying around for loose balls. Likes to go coast-to-coast off the defensive glass. Welcomes contact around the basket as a finisher and scores athletically at the rim.
TJ Pugh | 6-5 PF | Shelby
Pugh is a skilled combo forward who can put the ball on the floor and uses his body around the basket. Impressive footwork on both straight-line-drives and moves from the mid- to low-post. Pugh shows effort on the glass. We really like his combination of ball skills and a strong, thick frame. Handles the ball well in the open floor. Will cause mismatches for slim or slow-footed 4s.
Frank Waganfeald | 6-6 C | Oregon Clay
An old school back-to-the-basket post, Waganfeald scores on drop steps and up-and-under moves. Post moves look natural for Waganfeald and he demands a double-team or athletic matchup to limit him on the block. Wins position in the paint and out-rebounds with strength. Continues to improve on his ability to get up and down the floor.
Brady Lichtenberg | 6-2 SG | Toledo St. John’s
While Lichtenberg is more coveted as a quarterback prospect, he’s a very efficient and polished scorer from the wing, too. Creates separation with shot fakes, jab steps, and by moving without the ball. Really good feel of when to pull-up at the second level after one or two dribbles. Capable of being the primary ball-handler for stretches.
Ryan Suever | 6-7 PF | Ottoville
At 6-foot-7, Suever moves pretty darn well and has an encouraging scoring touch around the basket with his right hand. Punishes smaller posts with assertive scoring moves in the paint. Runs the floor with a nice stride and looks good finishing at the rim with two-handed flushes. Suever also provides rim protection with his height. Lanky build.
Blake Reynolds | 6-3 PF | Columbus Grove
A fundamentally sound forward who scores with tremendous foot-work around the basket and can make a play around the perimeter. Reynolds plays with a lot of toughness and sets effective screens. Rebounds well for his size. Good ball skills.
Chris Strzempka | 6-5 PF | Findlay
Strzempka, a 2021 Stock-Riser, impressed in his role as the starting post player for Findlay this season. Impacted the game by creating second chance opportunities and playing a nice high-low game with fellow sophomore AJ Adams. Bouncy utility forward with a promising shooting stroke and defensive versatility.
Aidan Reichert | 6-3 PF | Jackson Center
Reichert combines an impressive wingspan a strong frame to score physical baskets in the paint. Also capable of picking and popping for 3-pointers. Reichert has a good ground game in the post and finishes well over the shoulder. Plays with effort.
Thomas Zsiros | 6-3 SF | Toledo St. John’s
A Division I wide receiver recruit who impacts basketball games with athleticism and defensive effort. Zsiros chases down help-side rejections in transition and help-side in the halfcourt. Capable outside shooter who scores many of his points on put-backs off the offensive glass.
Camron Gatson | 5-8 PG | Rossford
Gatson is on his way to being a four-year starter at point guard for Rossford. His vision and playmaking ability in the lane is the most intriguing part to his game. Very skilled ball-handler who can get into the lane, keep his dribble alive, and deliver assists to open shooters. Overcoming a size disadvantage defensively is Gatson’s biggest challenge.
Tayt Birnesser | 6-2 SF | Columbus Grove
Birnesser combines a thick, strong body with a knock-down 3-point shooting ability off the catch. Effective pick-and-pop weapon. Makes good decisions with the ball while remaining aggressive as a scorer. Birnesser works well out of the high-post.
JR Lumsden | 6-3 SF | Maumee Valley
Lumsden broke-out as a starter for the Hawks, a regional finalist with a chance to make an even deeper run in 2019-20. Scores the ball in a variety of ways — outside shooting with space, strong second-chance finishes, and on the dribble-drive. Lumsden creates shots and rebounds with toughness.
Shane Garcia | 6-3 SF | Toledo St. John’s
Garcia is a long wing who improved on the defensive end as a sophomore. Makes good decisions with the ball in the halfcourt. Capable shooter from the mid-range and beyond the arch. Will need to improve on his ability to finish in traffic.
Trevor Wensink | 6-2 SG | Toledo Christian
Wensink scores the ball around the basket and from the outside. An efficient wing who uses his length to finish in traffic. Provides secondary ball-handling and is a high-IQ player with enough quickness to defend the 1 and 2.
Jhaiden Wilson | 5-5 G | Cardinal Stritch
As a sophomore, Wilson starred in his role as a guy who stretches the floor by spot-up shooting in the corner while using his speed to track down loose balls and pressure ball-handlers. He may, however, develop into a dynamic playmaker as well, considering his capable handle and elite quickness. Plays hard and confidently.
Cole McWhinnie | 5-11 PG | Toledo Christian
McWhinnie is a terrific outside shooter with a high-IQ. Shot nearly 50 percent from beyond the arch as a sophomore while hardly ever turning the ball over. Reliable player who avoids mistakes.