Sneaky Difference-Makers from Week 1
Going in chronological order, here are the X-factors who low-key swung games in the games we saw this week.
We attended three games and have saved our takeaways until now. As always, the players are our focus here, but it’s important to provide a bit of context on each game. For example, the Tuesday game at Fairfield Union was much different than the next night at Dayton Dunbar. Vastly different styles of play and atmosphere, which affects stat-lines and what we could truly learn about the prospects.
So, as you scroll through, you’ll need to read the brief game descriptions to understand the whole picture.
Also, check out Top Prospects from Week 1 for another look at the three-game slate.
Fairfield Union over Ready, 68-64
Very solid game. Not a ton of fireworks and mostly played in the halfcourt. The separation between the best players and the ninth and tenth guys on the court was wider than usual. Ready relied on stars, whereas the ball hardly ever stuck for FUHS. The top Falcons made their mark within the flow of possession.
Ryan Magill
Ryan
Magill
6'4" | SF
Fairfield Union | 2021
State
OH
(2021) | 6-3 PG | Fairfield Union
stats: 10 points, 4 assists
Magill’s two fourth-quarter 3-pointers during a close game keyed the win over Ready. Throughout the game, he proved capable of managing a game with few turnovers. Pass-first point guard with collegiate height who played with poise. Made a few great passes with a live dribble, setting up easy buckets.
Brock Baker (2020) | 6-1 SG | Ready
stats: 13 points, 3 rebounds
Baker made open shots and crashed the glass. Baker, Garrison Budd, and Darius Parham Darius Parham 6'3" | SG Bishop Ready | 2021 State OH scored 59 of their Ready’s 64 points and his willingness to shoot confidently proved to be crucial. Crashed the glass.
Dunbar over Stivers, 91-83
Wild game played at a break-neck speed, which afforded everyone to operate with immense space, especially Dunbar. There was nearly a fight after the first quarter. While Stivers had to operate in the halfcourt, they relied on one-on-one heroics from their guards and only had one guy ( Allen Lattimore Allen Lattimore 5'11" | PG West Carrollton | 2021 State OH ) even thinking about passing. Stivers senior Trevon Ellis Trevon Ellis 6'3" | PG Stivers | 2020 State OH wasn’t at the game.
Jae’Vaugn Minor (2021) | 6-2 F | Dunbar
stats: 20 points, 7 rebounds
Minor thrived in the up-tempo contest, using his size to overpower anyone who stood between him and the rim. Showed touch as a finisher, agility as a slasher. Rebounded in traffic. He’s a good athlete with a strong body.
DaJuan Allen (2020) | 6-0 G | Stivers
stats: 24 points
Allen scored 24 points despite being sidelined with foul trouble for long stretches. Doesn’t take much for him to start feeling it as he racked up buckets one after the other. Made open jumpers and scored through the body at the rim. Allen is a very strong guard who doesn’t shy away from contact.
Ivynn Spears (2020) | 5-9 G | Stivers
stats: 23 points, 5 rebounds
Spears is a left-hand dominant player with enough ball-handling skill to always get to the bucket going left. Despite Dunbar’s bench insisting defenders to shut off his dominant hand, Spears kept faking them with in-and-outs and double-crossovers to get back to it. He was especially key in the second half. Made contested jumpers to go along with his paint points.
Toledo St. John’s over Findlay, 54-36
Toledo St. John’s pitched a no-hitter in their season opener, dominating what was supposed to be a tightly played contest. Their preparation, focus, and attention to detail were elite. Findlay saw less than a handful of open shots all night. Meanwhile, St. John’s created high-percentage looks with ball movement and constant motion. Players missing: Christopher Strzempka Christopher Strzempka 6'6" | PF Findlay | 2021 OH and Max Roth Max Roth 6'1" | PG Findlay | 2022 State OH for Findlay, Jaedyn McKinstry Jaedyn McKinstry 6'5" | PF Toledo St. John's | 2021 OH for St. John’s.
Shane Garcia
Shane
Garcia
6'5" | SF
Toledo St. John's | 2021
State
OH
(2021) | 6-5 SF | Toledo St. John’s
stats: 7 points, 3 rebounds
Garcia proved to be a good assignment defender against Findlay’s top shooter and second scorer, Brock Makrancy Brock Makrancy 6'6" | PF Findlay | 2022 State OH . The sophomore went scoreless with Garcia on the floor, who applied pressure and shut-down passing lanes. His rebounding and strength are becoming an asset. Hit 50 percent of his four 3-point attempts and executed in halfcourt offense.
CJ Hornbeak
CJ
Hornbeak
6'2" | SG
Toledo St. John's | 2023
State
OH
(2023) | 6-1 PG | Toledo St. John’s
stats: 5 points, 3 rebounds
Hornbeak swished a 3-pointer in his first offensive possession, which speaks to the freshman’s confidence. Maybe more impressive, though, was his decision-making. Hornbeak didn’t force stuff and was comfortable fitting into their unselfish motion offense. Recorded a fast-break assist to a corner shooter when he was leading the break. Upside as a rebounder.
Gary Batch (2020) | 6-3 C | Toledo St. John’s
stats: 10 points, 3 rebounds
Batch’s presence as an interior scorer is crucial for the Titans. He’s a quick 5-man who dives to the rim hard and sets very effective screens. One of three double-digit scorers on the night, scoring via points in the paint and two free throws. Kept possessions alive by tipping rebounds.
Kennedy Vaughn (2022) | 5-10 PG | Toledo St. John’s
stats: 0 points, 0 rebounds
We came away pretty blown away with Vaughn’s point-of-attack defense. He may not have even attempted a shot, yet his ability to turn guys up the floor was yet another reason Findlay couldn’t find a rhythm. Vaughn also played patiently on offense.