Ohio’s Super Teams
Over the last three seasons, three Super Teams¹ have won the State Championship — 2019 Moeller, 2018 Moeller, and 2018 Deer Park. Rostering five or more bonafide college prospects who all affect winning is a rare thing to construct or…
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Continue ReadingOver the last three seasons, three Super Teams¹ have won the State Championship — 2019 Moeller, 2018 Moeller, and 2018 Deer Park. Rostering five or more bonafide college prospects who all affect winning is a rare thing to construct or happen into. But it doesn’t mean the championship is yours before the season even tips off.
We would apply the Super Team label to eight teams for this upcoming season. There are six in Division I and two in Division II. A few — and definitely not all because of regional overlap — will likely reach Columbus in March.
In alphabetical order:
Bradley
A disciplined group of tough players who control the ball and execute halfcourt offense with precision.
Potential Starting Five
Matt Allocco (2020), 6-4 point guard: Heady point guard with finishing ability and rare leadership qualities. Plays long stretches without mistakes. Uses size and quickness to defend multiple spots. Keeps everyone on the same page as a communicator.
AJ Mirgon (2021), 5-11 point guard: High-IQ combo guard who plays well off the ball because he actively cuts and knocks down shots off the catch. Engaged defender who stays in front of quick guards.
Keaton Norris (2021), 5-10 guard: A potent outside shooter with range. Will provide floor spacing and another trusted ball-handler.
Chris Mayfield (2020), 6-4 forward: Hybrid defender with long arms and a very strong body. Rebounds. Unselfish passer who makes clever dump-downs late.
Jack Pugh (2021), 6-5 forward: Highly energetic athlete. Rebounds outside of his area. Slashes through traffic and can score through contact.
College Prospects Off the Bench
Tayshaun Mayfield (2022), 6-2 forward: Similar athlete to his brother Chris. Good passer with impressive ball skills for his size. Tough. Can fit into a lot of different lineup combinations.
Centerville
Super-sized collection of skilled, versatile players with a high defensive ceiling. The likely challengers to Moeller.
Potential Starting Five
Gabe Cupps (2023), 5-11 point guard: The internet’s favorite shooter has game that will translate to the varsity game immediately. Son of head coach Brooks Cupp, Gabe perfectly fills two would-be holes for this Elks team: outside shooting/floor-spacing and playmaking off the dribble.
Tom House (2022), 6-5 wing: Another outside shooting threat, but with size. House makes quick decisions in the half-court and doesn’t over-dribble. As a recruit, the sophomore has a D-II floor.
Kebba Njie (2022), 6-7 forward: Extremely intriguing athlete who can switch onto any position and provides rebounding. Energetic. Good decision-maker. Capable shooter and inside scorer.
Rich Rolf (2022), 6-6 forward: Rebounding extraordinaire with skill. Can defend in space or not foul around the rim while contesting shots. Strong high post passer.
Mo Njie (2020), 6-9 center: Size is great across the board but Mo is ultimately the reason for Centerville’s defensive potential. He’s Ohio’s premier shot-blocker who combines a massive wingspan with elite shot-blocking instincts. His presence allows the other four guys to pressure aggressively.
College Prospects Off the Bench
Cameron Smith (2022), 6-2 guard: Unclear if Smith will contribute but he could fill a gap as a ball-handling two-guard with outside shooting ability. Fast. Effective shot-fake.
Tre Johnson (2021), 6-6 post: Athletic and mobile interior presence who could provide spot relief for Mo, Kebba, and Rolf.
Other Contributors: Andre Zimmerman (2020), Drew Thompson (2020)
Lima Senior
Tough-nosed group lead by a dynamic scoring duo and heady floor general.
Potential Starting Five
Khalil Luster (2022), 5-4 point guard: Efficient, creative playmaker with one year of varsity experience already under his belt. Impressive distributor. Makes open shots. Game-changing point of attack defender.
Camren Miles (2022), 6-1 guard: Powerful athletically built wing who can score it and defend a variety of perimeter players. Tough.
Josiah Fulcher (2020), 6-2 guard: Fulcher is the guy and a singular talent in the Three Rivers Athletic Conference. Not only a go-to scorer, also a tremendous rebounder and defender. Efficiently creates shots.
Jadakis Mack (2020), 6-2 wing: Provides toughness and athleticism near the rim as a rebounder and defender. Explosive leaper. Scores around the basket. Mismatch.
Jamir Simpson (2020), 6-5 forward: Talented face-up and second chance scorer. Nimble feet combined with a strong body. Dives to the rim and uses spin moves to score in traffic. Bouncy.
College Prospects Off the Bench
Jourdyn Rawlins (2021), 5-8 point guard: Quick, high-energy point guard who can relieve Luster and run the show for stretches. Attacks the basket and pressures the ball.
Moeller
Back-to-back State Champs with a senior leader, four D-I guys in the junior class, and a gross amount of versatile athletes on the wing.
Potential Starting Five
Will McCracken (2021), 6-4 wing: Athletic and energetic wing. McCracken will impact the game on both ends of the floor with his skill, IQ, and active legs. Crashes the glass. Capable ball-handler. Remarkably active cutter and off-ball screener.
Max Land (2020), 6-4 wing: The senior leader. One of two returning starters. Dynamic slasher becoming a more efficient finisher. Patient when he catches on the perimeter. Can defend four positions, at least.
Aidan Noyes (2021), 6-5 wing: Gifted scorer who is electric around the rim. A weapon in transition. Regularly scores on mid-range pull-ups. Yet another guy who can rebound in traffic and defend multiple positions.
Alex Williams (2021), 6-4 hybrid: Williams will fill any hole this team might have in a given matchup. He can play any position on offense. Seems to understand what the coaches need from him. Tremendous instincts. Talented rebounder, passer, and scorer.
Logan Duncomb (2021), 6-9 center: A true interior presence with long arms and the ability to score on a post up. Growing as a space defender and set-feet shooter.
College Prospects Off the Bench
Evan Mahaffey (2022), 6-4 wing: Energy off the bench. Mahaffey will be a natural substitute for any of the four wings as he possesses similar athletic tools. Handles the ball well.
Aidan Turner (2021), 6-0 point guard: A possible starter because point guard is Turner’s natural position. Capable of protecting the ball, defending quick guards, and getting the ball to their cast of scorers.
Other Contributors: Michael Currin (2020), Carrington Valentine (2020), Garde Thompson (2020), Patrick Suter (2020)
Pickerington North
This bevy of guards can spread the floor for their go-to man in Jack Sawyer. Returning all key contributors.
Potential Starting Five
Idris Lawrence (2021), 5-9 point guard: Slashing lefty point guard with long arms. Lawrence collapses the defense with his quickness and finishing ability that demands respect from help-side.
Jerry Saunders (2022), 6-0 guard: Catch and shoot weapon who makes good decisions. Secondary ball-handler.
Hunter Shedenhelm (2020), 6-5 wing: A crucial outside shooting presence with the greenest of lights. Provides defensive versatility and rebounding. Active legs. Flashes scoring ability from the mid-post.
Chris Scott (2020), 6-3 wing: The D-I football recruit is very athletic. Versatile defender who is physical against bigs. Powerful transition finisher.
Jack Sawyer (2021), 6-5 forward: The most efficient scorer from 2-point range in all of Ohio. Sawyer is the go-to guy and he can create from no matter where he receives the pass. Underrated passer, making it risky to send the double-team. Controls the glass. Plays with an edge.
College Prospects Off the Bench
Casey George (2021), 5-9 point guard: High-IQ floor general who has notable chemistry with Saywer. Shoots it well, a big reason George thrives off the ball after initiating offense.
Dior Conners (2022), 6-1 guard: Could be a change-of-pace guy off the bench because of his willingness to push with his dribble. Talented finisher.
Savion Marshall-Hamilton (2020), 6-6 center: Interior presence with nimble feet and touch in the deep post. Defends the rim well and is capable of switching in space. Rebounds it.
Elijah Hawk (2021), 6-5 center: Athletic rebounder.
Other Contributors: Jordan Lowery (2021)
Rogers
Rare combination of athleticism, size, and collegiate talent. Guided by an unselfish four-year starting point guard with a high-IQ.
Potential Starting Five
Ketaan Wyatt (2020), 6-3 point guard: Most important player on the team. Chemistry will be key for a group that includes two high-profile transfers. Unselfish floor general with terrific positional size.
Nate Houston (2022), 5-11 guard: Houston has sneaky X-factor potential. An efficient scorer from the wing with upside as a go-to scorer that will likely need to accept a low-usage role.
Jamiya Neal (2021), 6-6 wing: Remarkably athletic and lengthy slasher who should live around the basket. Combines a herky jerky dribble with long strides to attack the basket and get fouled or finish. Defends every spot on the floor. Rebounds it.
Steve Coleman (2021), 6-4 wing/forward: Defensive-minded athlete with bounce and strength. Active rebounder. Finishes through contact.
DaSean Nelson (2020), 6-7 forward: Rangy shot-blocker with eye-popping leaping ability — Nelson should average around five blocks per game. Controls the glass. Shows determination on the offensive glass. Freaky athleticism.
College Prospects Off the Bench
Curtis Jackson (2020), 6-6 forward: Can space the floor or stay inside to rebound — a combination that makes him playable in a number of lineup combinations. Strong frame. Explosive leaper.
Other Contributors: Javonte Hayward (2020)
St. Edward
Talented group of perimeter players with experience playing together into late-March.
Potential Starting Five
Montorie Foster (2020), 6-1 point guard: High-motor athletic point guard who can play off the ball. Active cutter. Elite point-of-attack defender.
Michael Bova (2022), 6-1 point guard: Ferocious competitor with slashing ability and a strong, compact build. Pressures the ball on defense.
Grant Huffman (2020), 6-4 guard: A straight-line-driver with elite basketball instincts. Patient ball-handler who can control tempo. One of two go-to scorers in their lineup. Uses clever spin moves and step-through moves in the paint.
Devontae Blanton (2020), 6-6 wing: Three-level scorer who combines power with agile moves to be a mismatch. A much-needed shooting presence. Provides rebounding. Efficient.
Chris Ringfield (2020), 6-7 center: Athletic post whose role will likely revolve around rebounding and challenging shots, both of which Ringfield does at a high level.
College Prospects Off the Bench
Bryan Flannery (2022), 6-1 shooting guard: Flannery brings an outside shooting element to the game, and therefore floor-spacing for all of their talented slashers.
Other Contributors: Brennan Rains (2020), Zach Chatmon (2020)
St. Vincent-St. Mary
Headlined by two high-majors; complemented by veteran role players who will sacrifice and superstars of tomorrow.
Potential Starting Five
Sencire Harris (2022), 6-5 point guard: Wiry athlete with uncanny finishing ability. Defends every spot on the perimeter. Smooth ball-handler who knifes through the defense. Third team All-State last season as a freshman with North Canton Hoover.
Isaiah Ingol (2020), 6-1 point guard: Glue guy. Smart guard who makes winning plays like taking charges and making the extra pass. Communicates on the floor. Reliable.
Ramar Pryor (2022), 6-1 shooting guard: Athletic slasher and quick defender. Hard to say how this speedy GlenOak transfer will fit into the roster, though.
Malaki Branham (2021), 6-5 shooting guard: Following a breakout offseason, Branham is poised to be the go-to scorer for the Irish. Talented shot creator who has improved as a ball-handler and shooter (off-motion and from distance). Tremendously versatile kid who can rebound in traffic and defend quick guards.
Marcus Johnson (2020), 6-5 center: Big-bodied post scorer who uses the drop step often. Moves people to get to rebounds. Effective in spurts.
College Prospects Off the Bench
Darius Strafford (2023), 6-9 center: Big body with a lot of upside. Strafford will score on put-backs and deep post touches. Could earn significant minutes if he consistently changes shots, which is very much in the realm of possibilities.
Austin Rayman (2021), 5-11 guard: Consistent shooter with a one-dribble pull-up game.
Lance Hayes (2023), 6-1 guard: Twitchy athlete who can pressure ball-handlers and provide energy. Best days are ahead of him.
Other Contributors: Darrian Lewis (2021)
¹ Here’s what we mean by Super Team: We’re looking first at talent. Do you have five-plus college basketball players on your team (or multi-sport guys who could play college basketball, like Jack Sawyer)? If yes, are all of those guys going to contribute? There are a lot of long-term freshmen and sophomore prospects who won’t significantly impact varsity games. If both of those questions are yes, then you’re a Super Team.
By the way, many of our teams who will be recognized as a Top Ten Quartet, Trio, or Duo this week have five-plus college recruits. It’s just that all of them won’t contribute this year.
Final nugget: Having one or two absolute studs helps your case as a Super Team.