Top Columbus City League Junior Frontcourt Players
As a whole, the Columbus City League class of 2022 is shaping up to be a class that is on par, or right up under some of the best classes in the history of the league. It is loaded at…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAs a whole, the Columbus City League class of 2022 is shaping up to be a class that is on par, or right up under some of the best classes in the history of the league. It is loaded at the top, although not that deep, the talent that has risen up as the best will be immediate impact players and difference makers for their college team. The frontcourt players in the Columbus City League are strictly defined as the players who primarily play in the post, who defends in the post and although the height may not match they have the mentality of a frontcourt player. The players on this list all are capable of leading their teams on a run when it comes time for the state playoffs.
Zion Blevins- Walnut Ridge: The height does not match the heart because the heart measures out to about 7-foot tall. Blevins is a scrappy player that plays below the rim with the ability and anticipation to be a good below the rim rebounder. This kid can defend players bigger than him and not give up much due to his tough mentality and quick feet in the paint. On the perimeter, Blevins slides his feet and stays in front of his man then uses his powerful upper body to disrupt the shot of the offensive player. On offense, Blevins is a consistent shot maker who has expanded his game to beyond the three-point line. With a tough-minded mentality and his scrappy play, he could help lead the Scots back to the championship game.
Damarious Warfield- Whetstone: When you speak to his coaches, they tell you that this kid is a real sleeper of a ball player, especially if his motor can run high consistently. Warfield is an exceptional shooter when given the time to get his shot off because he struggles to get it off on his own from the perimeter. In the paint he gets his shot off with more ease and has a really soft touch around the rim. His feet are not the quickest but he makes up for it by playing the passing lanes well and once the ball handler gets past him, Warfield understands that he must find the open man and stick to him immediately. If this young man can get more aggressive on the court then the Braves will find themselves with a pretty good big man who can be sneaky good.
Dennis Asoro- Eastmoor Academy: This young man has energy to spare, he combined that with more muscle and a new found aggression that has vaulted him up this list. He took advantage of a long off-season by getting in better condition and he has gained confidence through his play over the summer. Excellent in transition, Asoro fly’s past defenders as a big man and can finish at the rim with authority. He gets the tough rebounds in traffic and is able to get the ball back up to the rim while defenders are hitting him. Asoro has also improved his jump shooting, something which the lefty lacked last season. He and Aaron Lawson should be a dynamic duo this upcoming season for the Warriors and this writer is looking forward to announcing many of Asoro’s dunks as well.
Amani Lyles Amani Lyles 6'7" | C Beechcroft | 2022 State OH – Beechcroft: Lyles is not only the best big man in the Columbus City League, by far, he is also one the better big men in the state of Ohio. Lyles took this summer and transformed his body into a college-ready body and molded his game into one that matched his body. He is defensively dominant, making drivers think twice before they try to shoot over him and he can guard players his size and smaller on the perimeter and not miss a beat. The offensive game is what this young man has worked on all summer and it showed as he pushed his range out to the three-point line and developing good enough handles to where he can grab a rebound and go full court and become a playmaker in transition. In short, which is ironic to say, it will take too much to take Lyles off of this top spot as long as he continues his upward trajectory and will result in a bunch of wins for the Cougars.