GRBA Nationals: 2022 and 2023 Report
We close the books on our 2019 grassroots season tournament coverage with a glimpse into the future. Below are a number of sophomores and freshman —mostly from Northeast Ohio — who will either contribute for the first time next season…
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Continue ReadingWe close the books on our 2019 grassroots season tournament coverage with a glimpse into the future.
Below are a number of sophomores and freshman —mostly from Northeast Ohio — who will either contribute for the first time next season or are on their way to blossoming as upperclassmen. All excellent players. All studs. All very deserving of being mentioned here.
2022 Standouts
Rich Rolf (2022) | 6-6 PF | Centerville / Mid Ohio Pumas (Seeman) 16U
One of the most active and naturally prolific rebounders we’ve seen in the Buckeye State, ever. We marvel at Rolf’s ability to slip around box outs and high point the ball on the offensive glass. Often gets to the free throw line on second chance opportunities. Slight of frame but plenty of time to add size. After all, this was Rolf’s first action after a long recovery process from his knee injury. Possesses ball skills, although he played more of a specific role in the paint in Fort Wayne.
Michael Lechler (2022) | 5-10 G | Holy Name / Hoop City Ohio
Lechler shoots it extremely well, hardly even drawing iron on his open looks. Displayed ability to attack the closeout slashing either direction — flipped up runners off the glass before entering a congested paint. Smart player.
Dietric Hearst (2022) | 6-1 SG | Benedictine / Hoop City Ohio
Hoop City Ohio was getting blown out at halftime of their first round bracket game. Nova Village, doing whatever they wanted.
Then, Hearst took matters into his own hands and must’ve had 20-plus points in the second half. And they won.
A thick and skilled guard with a ton of gather moves and clever pivots to go to once he picks up his dribble around the rim. Drew fouls. He can handle the ball. Grabbed the ball off the defensive glass and went coast-to-coast numerous times. He defends multiple positions — quick enough for the perimeter, strong enough inside. Hearst also displayed the ability to back-cut or catch-and-shoot off the ball.
La’Neer Surles (2022) | 6-3 SF | Coventry / Hoop City Ohio
Tremendous, mature athletic tools. Contributed by attacking the rim and effectively defending multiple positions — their best rebounder yet also picked the point guard’s pocket a few times. Free throw stroke looked promising although he didn’t quite knock-down shots in the halfcourt.
Javan Simmons (2022) | 6-5 C | Hartley / Nova (Reese)
Simmons, a powerful lefty big, just gets better and better every time we watch him. Combines activity and power to rebound everything in his area. “Controls the glass” is an overused phrase (I’m guilty) that actually applies to Simmons. Displays such strength when he finishes through the body. Took plenty of trips to the free throw line.
It wouldn’t surprise us if he was one of the most efficient big men in Central Ohio next season.
Sam Marbury (2022) | 6-5 SF | Solon / TNBA Ohio 16U
Intriguing combination of tools. Marbury found success shooting the ball mid-way through their Sunday game, connecting on back to back triples. He moves fluidly. Uses his size and length well on to attack.
2023 Standouts
Darius Strafford (2023) | 6-9 C | St. Vincent-St. Mary / Blue Chips Select
Thick, strong 6-foot-9 kid who has a chance to be special. He changed shots around the rim all game, even pinning one off the glass. Showed touch on a contested bank shot from about 6 feet. Strafford is agile enough, for sure. He may be able to contribute day one for Ohio’s Division II favorite, even if it’s just spot minutes as a rim protector. It was too easy for him at the 14U level on Sunday, and that was against a talented Indy Heat team who was outscoring opponents 183-141 coming in.
Lance Hayes (2023) | 6-1 G | St. Vincent-St. Mary / Blue Chips Select
Lightning quick guard with length and feel. Made a few impressive tight-window passes, both in the paint and from the top of the key. He wants to involve his big men. Hayes scored inside with balance and used the spin move to get to his spots. Nightmare in transition because of his athleticism.
Hayes’s defensive upside, though, could be his calling card. Can’t say it enough: Hayes is super athletic, long, and especially quick. He put the clamps on opposing guards who couldn’t match his athleticism. Also rebounds well for his position.
Cody Head (2023) | 6-1 SG | Shaker Heights / Blue Chips Select
Strong, low to the ground slasher who used power moves inside to score. Attacked the close-out and displayed skill in traffic. Head even added a step-back triple after his straight-line-drive was cut-off, which is just special. Smart player who understands spacing and got in position for rebounds.
Tyler Williams (2023) | 6-7 F | Brush / Blue Chips Select
Pretty sure we didn’t see the entire Williams arsenal in our one viewing on Sunday. The incoming freshman, however, showed flashes of active rebounding, being effective in transition, and scoring with touch. Rare combination of size and agility. Like we alluded to, he had a few jaw-dropping rebounds in traffic and is tough to keep away from the ball when he goes after a board. Effectively scored in the paint.
Between Williams and senior 6-foot-9 center John Hugley, it’s tough to imagine Brush won’t crush every Northeast Ohio opponent on the glass this season. We can only really imagine Moeller or a prep school competing on the glass with them, maybe St. Vincent-St. Mary or Lutheran East.
Javion Moore (2023) | 6-5 SF | Lutheran East / Blue Chips Select
Moore’s pull-up jumper when slashing to his right involved no choppy steps and had terrific elevation. Promising release. Quick first step. Moore has the tools to defend two to four positions at the high school level, depending on the opponent. Light feet. Elite tools.