Top Duos (No. 1-5)
Teams with a 1-2 punch have proven to be immensely successful at the highest level of Ohio high school basketball in the last three seasons, with five of the last 12 state champions being led by duos: 2019 Convoy Crestview:…
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Continue ReadingTeams with a 1-2 punch have proven to be immensely successful at the highest level of Ohio high school basketball in the last three seasons, with five of the last 12 state champions being led by duos:
- 2019 Convoy Crestview: Javin and Kalen Etzler
- 2018 Marion Local: Nathan Bruns and Tyler Mescher
- 2017 St. Vincent-St. Mary: Jayvon Graves and Jonathan Williams
- 2017 VASJ: Alonzo Gaffney and Jerry Higgins
- 2017 Lutheran East: Jordan Burge and Maurico Tate
State champion duos, however, are surrounded by star role players. Crestview probably doesn’t win without Wade Sheets and Drew Kline. Maybe VASJ stumbles in 2017 without a unbelievable weekend from William Butler off the bench.
Not all of the 2020 duos are surrounded by that elite supporting cast. Some have the pieces, though, and don’t be surprised if they’re in contention come late March.
No. 5: Wyoming
Isaiah Walker (2021), 6-4 wing: A low-usage wing scorer who will need to become a consistent creator now that Joey Edmonds is in college. Overpowering athlete with finishing ability. Shoots well with his feet set.
Evan Prater (2020), 6-5 forward: Dynamic face-up forward whose skill and athleticism torments opposing bigs. Defensive playmaker who blocks shots and can defend in space.
No. 4: Lutheran East
Jalin Billingsley (2021), 6-7 forward: A big-time talent at forward who — in big part because of the other half of this duo — could be blessed with a mismatch on most nights. Scores the ball with touch. Big body with athleticism that is hard to keep away from the glass when he pursues the ball hard. Possesses an inside and outside game.
Nehemiah Benson (2020), 6-6 forward: This senior leader has a pretty complete game. Benson can shoot from the outside from a stand-still or after a dribble. He scores over the shoulder with touch in the low- to mid-post. Active rebounder. Runs the floor.
No. 3: VASJ
Jaden Hameed (2021), 5-11 point guard: The epitome of “calm, cool, and collected.” Hameed understands game management and appears 100 percent in sync with the coaching staff. Takes over games late as a scorer. Impactful point of attack defender.
Jonah Waag (2021), 6-2 guard: Waag brings an uptempo element to their offense while defending the other team’s top perimeter player. Confident volume scorer who can pull-up or get to the basket in transition.
No. 2: Canton McKinley
Kobe Johnson (2021), 6-3 guard: Playmaking lead guard who overwhelms opposing point guard with athleticism and power. Johnson is a nightmare in transition but he also slides past defenders in the halfcourt. Finishes in traffic. Versatile defender.
Brenton Walker (2021), 6-6 center: Speaking of overwhelming athleticism and power, yeesh. Walker is a force in the paint who crams dunks on the heads of normal-sized high schoolers. Runs the floor. Truly controls the glass. Against teams without a matchup, Walker demands a double team. If you choose against sending two, Walker may have a double-double by halftime.
No. 1: Lake Catholic
Luke Frazier (2020), 6-4 guard: This future Dayton Flyer is the most dynamic and skilled wing scorer in the senior class. Makes shots from all three levels and leaves defenders hopeless in one-on-one situations. A walking 20 points.
Luka Eller (2020), 6-8 forward: Versatile stretch forward who lures posts away form the basket. Eller is a tough matchup. He can shoot it from distance or attack off the dribble. Active rebounder. Blocks shots. Sets good screens.