Havoc in the Heartland: Top Ohio Forwards
This weekend at Havoc in the Heartland, we really dove into the details on Ohio’s representatives. Between Team Flyght, JH1 Elite, Hopson Elite, and Ohio Buckets, there were several top prospects from Northwest, Central, and Southwest Ohio in attendance.
Don’t believe me? JH1 Elite 15U and Team Flyght 16U won their age groups, going combined 11-1.
Most importantly, though, here were the standout prospects:
Sean Craig (2022) | 6-4 PF | Hopson Elite 15U / Northview
Craig sees the floor impressively for a forward. He makes quick decisions, often hitting baseline cutters or swinging the ball opposite from the high-post. When he faces the rim, Craig has a very effective shot fake and looked confident going up with either hand at the basket for finishes. Also uses that pump fake at the basket and gets to the free throw line often. Defends in space surprisingly well.
Shawn Phillips (2022) | 6-9 C | Team Flyght 15U / Belmont
Phillips looks like a Division I prospect in warm-ups. A legitimate 6-foot-9 center with length and promising physical tools, he has all the traits you could ask for on the surface. Phillips’ scoring touch, though, may have been his most impressive quality. He opened a Friday night game with a pair of turn-around jumpers over the right shoulder and kissed several other shots off the glass throughout the weekend. He’s comfortable turning either direction on post-ups and showed passing ability, which resulted in high-percentage inside-out 3-point attempts for Team Flyght.
Even when Phillips wasn’t blocking shots — something he did a lot of — his length was a deterrent at the basket. Not particularly quick on recoveries or as a help-side shot-blocker, but the young big will become more mobile in due time. Controlled the glass.
Jacob Conner (2022) | 6-6 SF | Team Flyght 15U / Alter
Conner is a fluid 6-foot-6 small forward with a solid shooting stroke and impressive ball skills for his height. Slight of frame, which limits him as a post defender and ball-handler when crowded. Hit mid-range jumpers and was just hardly off the mark on a few 3-point attempts. He’s an unselfish passer who likes to feed it to the big man from the high-post. Intriguing player with upside.
AJ Braun (2021) | 6-8 C | Team Flyght 16U / Fenwick
Braun is a big-bodied post player with solid length and a ton of skill. Possesses inside and outside scoring ability. He can finish gracefully with either hand. Consistently made outside shots and free throws, too. His hands and physical strength are a huge advantage in rebounding scrums. Blocked several shots and showed good timing on those rejections. Effective screener.
Troy Scowden (2022) | 6-5 PF | JH1 Elite 15U / Buckeye Valley
Going against 6-foot-8-plus centers, Scowden gave them fits by stepping outside. He’s an adequate 3-point shooter but was even more effective attacking the close-out from the perimeter — surprisingly quick when he puts it on the floor. Finished through contact inside. Also used his power to box out and score on put-backs. Pretty good passer. Active defensive player who used mobility to his advantage when he defended larger forwards.
Collin Nutter (2022) | 6-6 PF/C | Hopson Elite 15U / Old Fort
Here’s a name to know out of rural Northwest Ohio’s 2022 class. Nutter is a pretty good athlete with mobility and power. He flashed skill as a finisher this weekend. Sets screens and stays active. Gets up and down the floor very well for a young 6-foot-6 post.
Maro Egodotaye (2021) | 6-8 C | Team Flyght 16U / Dayton Carroll
Egodotaye’s size is hard to find in Ohio. He moves pretty darn well, too. Knows where to be on defense and keeps his hands active. Plays hard. Scored on a couple put-backs but isn’t a kid who will creates baskets for himself otherwise, which is fine because of what he provides in rim protection and rebounding.