The Challenge Report
The 2020 Challenge — an event that matches up Columbus City League programs with those from the OCC — was dominated by guards. Ball-handling wizards and gritty point-of-attack defenders starred in this year’s event. The other major storyline: Bradley lost…
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Continue ReadingThe 2020 Challenge — an event that matches up Columbus City League programs with those from the OCC — was dominated by guards. Ball-handling wizards and gritty point-of-attack defenders starred in this year’s event.
The other major storyline: Bradley lost their first game of the season! Walnut Ridge’s gutsy win over Bradley was the only game that the City League won. Here were the game results, then we will jump right into the prospects:
- Groveport beat Centennial, 69 to 61
- Gahanna beat Linden, 62 to 46
- Thomas Worthington beat Africentric, 81 to 68
- Walnut Ridge beat Bradley, 45 to 44
- Pickerington North beat Northland, 56 to 54
All-Shootout Team
TOP FIVE PERFORMANCES
Jalen Sullinger (2021) | 5-10 PG | Thomas Worthington
stats: 28 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists
In a game against Africentric with a number of collegiate prospects at the guard position, Sullinger was distinctly on a different level due to his ability to operate in the halfcourt and transition. He dropped four 3-pointers, two of which came on step-backs from NBA range. He also used the shooting threat to penetrate, where he lobbed alley oops and finished creatively.
Sean Jones (2022) | 5-9 PG | Gahanna
stats: 24 points, 3 rebounds
The remarkably instinctual, high-IQ floor general shot it well and controlled the entire game. Jones regularly created separation by shifting speed and direction. When he’s following his moves with made jumpers, Jones is special. Active cutter against Linden’s ball denial strategy. Smart kick-outs in traffic. The sophomore also displayed his dynamic quickness as an on-ball defender, where he shutdown crossovers.
Qian Magwood (2020) | 6-1 PG | Walnut Ridge
stats: 7 points, 1 rebound
Magwood has a presence. There wasn’t anything quantifiably spectacular about his performance. But Magwood powered Walnut Ridge over undefeated Bradley for a major upset.
Sitting most of the second quarter with foul trouble, Magwood and the Scots came out of halftime with a different energy with their senior PG on the floor. Beyond intangibles, he provided a confident ball-handler with patience. Very strong defender. Entered the ball into the post for high-percentage VonCameron Davis and Kaveon Ross shots.
Eli Burke (2021) | 6-0 PG | Africentric
stats: 29 points, 3 rebounds
Burke scored in a multitude of ways. Burke is perfectly suited to get up and down in this high-speed Africentric attack. He possesses a lot of sheer speed and can finish. It was his shot-making in the halfcourt, however, that impressed on Saturday.
Burke shot one-dribble pull-ups with rhythm and connected on catch-and-shoot jumpers. Scored an off-balance contested shot around the paint. Added a transition dunk. All in all, Burke made three 3-pointers and if that is his new normal, his college recruitment will be buzzing by this time next season.
Tyrese Hughey (2021) | 6-6 PF | Thomas Worthington
stats: 21 points, 13 points
Hughey took full advantage of his size against Africentric by playing with power and aggression. He dominated by finishing 10 field goals and controlling the defensive glass. Blocked several shots. He’s very quick for his size, both off the ground and on the floor, which speaks to his upside as a rebounder and shot-blocker. Hughey also displayed touch over the shoulder, including a short-range turn-around baseline jumper.
Standouts
Chance Groce (2021) | 6-5 SG | Linden
stats: 10 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 rebounds
Groce is a springy athlete who defended the ball extremely well, using his quick-twitch to contain the dribble and making opponents shoot over length. Avid defensive communicator. On the other end, he ran the show as Linden’s point guard. Saw the court while handling pressure. Very quick leaper.
Groce needs to get back to shooting it better and avoid inaccurate passes. But he still possesses immense upside as a scorer given his ability to breakdown defenders with the dribble and elevate for shots. He will need to find the right fit but playing at the D-I collegiate level may be in Groce’s future.
Dan Wagner (2022) | 5-11 PG | Africentric
stats: 13 points
Wagner is a very sound player with quickness and finishing ability. His on-ball defense is an asset at the point of attack and he can chase guards around screens. Active legs. The jump shot is one area where he could improve but Wagner is effective offensively because of his decision-making and speed.
VonCameron Davis (2020) | 6-5 SF | Walnut Ridge
stats: 13 points, 5 rebounds
Davis’s first nine points came on a trio of 3-pointers. He made those shots without much space. He rebounded outside of his area. Contributed a clutch mid-post bucket before fouling out with a few minutes left on the clock. Kent State signee.
Matt Allocco (2020) | 6-4 PG | Bradley
stats: 20 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists
Allocco dominated the first half with 19 points and six rebounds. The big, high IQ guard got whatever shot he wanted in the paint, whether it was off the dribble or via post-up. He once again displayed advanced footwork, use of ball fakes, and change of pace on those scores. Princeton signee.
Keaton Norris (2021) | 5-9 PG | Bradley
stats: 13 points, 2 assists
Norris’s reigned three triples throughout the game. The threat of his jumper forced Walnut Ridge to fly-out on close-outs, pulling defenders away from other Jaguars and allowing Norris to get past the first level of defense. Knocked down a contested pull-up dribble while fading to his left.
Chris Scott (2020) | 6-2 SF | Pickerington North
stats: 11 points, 6 rebounds
As the frontman in Pickerington North’s 1-2-2 fullcourt trap, Scott disrupted Northland’s rhythm and caused a few deflections. He also used his athleticism and energy to rebound and defend in the halfcourt. Finishes in traffic without avoiding contact.
Robert Dorsey (2022) | 5-10 PG | Northland
stats: 8 points, 2 rebounds
Dorsey is never in trouble. The drive-and-kick slasher probes with balance when he’s in the teeth of the defense, ultimately creating open 3-pointers. Unselfish player who makes quick reads. Dorsey is a terrific defender, too, with long arms. He stays in front and seldom allows an open shot.
X-Factors
Maceo Williams (2021) | 6-5 C | Gahanna
stats: 10 points, 6 rebounds
Williams is a forceful, big-bodied center that buries small defenders on post-ups. Good touch when he’s able to get position. He mostly powers his way to the basket but occasionally mixes in a shoulder fake to gain space for the shot. Consistently finishes in transition at full-speed.
Lason Walker (2022) | 6-3 SG | Linden
stats: 10 points, 11 rebounds
Walker started fast with six quick points but wasn’t able to maintain that level of production, which is exactly what Linden needs to take some of the burden away from Groce. He flashes skilled footwork as a slasher with creative gathers. Strong upper body. One thing Walker never stopped was rebounding — a real strength of his.
Omari Effiong (2021) | 6-1 SG | Thomas Worthington
stats: 4 points, 8 rebounds
Effiong is a tough competitor that provides perimeter defense and rebounding from the guard spot. He crashes hard and is willing to jump on the floor for a loose ball. Keeps possessions alive. Effiong has a strong body. His athleticism and ability to sit-down and defend could land him on a college roster. Provided a highlight putback dunk in traffic, too.
Tayshaun Mayfield (2022) | 6-2 SF | Bradley
stats: 8 points, 7 rebounds
Mayfield is an offensive rebounding extraordinaire. He timed up multiple putbacks in crucial moments. The sophomore combines size, length, mobility, and a soft touch around the rim. With all those physical tools, Mayfield fills a wide assortment of roles in Bradley’s system.
First Look
Dailyn Swain (2023) | 6-4 wing | Africentric
stats: 5 points, 4 rebounds
Swain showed the ability to handle the ball and change pace as he attacked the basket. Competed defensively by contesting shots and throwing his body into the mix on the glass. There is so much body development ahead for Swain that it’s hard to project how good he can be. We will say, though, that there are signs he could become a known commodity across Oho.