Mid State League- Cardinal Division Sleeper Players
Wake up, wake up, wake up, it’s not the first of the month but the young men in this article are being slept on at the beginning of this season. These players range from seniors getting more film out there…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWake up, wake up, wake up, it’s not the first of the month but the young men in this article are being slept on at the beginning of this season. These players range from seniors getting more film out there to sophomores still finding their way in high school basketball. The young men on this list have been key components to victories for their team or have impressed during the early part of 2020-2021 and are not receiving the credit they deserve. With every team in this league having already hit the court, this list of players is rather impressive, and is filled with young men that college programs should have their eyes on. Here are the players that have been slept on so far this season.
Cody Blosser- Junior; Marysville: Anybody playing behind a young man that is averaging almost 30 points per game will be a sleeper player, but Blosser plays his role perfectly. In 2019-2020, Blosser only played 10 games total, putting up 4.7 points per game with a high of 11 points. This season he is putting up 12 points per game and has eclipsed last year’s season high in both games this year. Playing alongside one of the area’s best bucket getters, Mason Purvis, this young man has fit in seamlessly as the second scorer for this team. Blosser is able to get to the basket and finish with either hand, while still being able to hit open shots when Purvis is getting double teamed. Blosser knows his role and that will help him at every level of basketball, understanding that he is important to winning if he fills his role the correct way.
Adonus Abrams- Freshman; Harvest Prep: Apart of the most balanced offensive attack in the Cardinal division, Abrams has shown an amazing knack for making plays for himself and his teammates in the early part of the season. Abrams is great in transition, getting up the court quickly when he notices a change of possession and is able to get behind the defense for easy baskets. So far this year, Abrams is putting up 11.8 points per game, with a season-high of 19 coming against Fisher Catholic. The lefty has also shown great confidence in his deep jump shot, displaying the ability to knock them down on a consistent basis. The 5-foot-10 freshman still has room to grow and a frame that can pack on more muscle and make him a bigger threat in a couple of years.
Nyelle Shaheed Nyelle Shaheed 6'5" | C Harvest Prep | 2023 State OH – Junior; Harvest Prep: One of the most experienced players from last year’s team, Shaheed averaged over five points in 21 games last season, with a season-high of 15 points which showed that he can get buckets when he is called upon. So far to start the 2020-2021 season, Shaheed has doubled his point production, now putting up just over 10 points per game, and his 6-foot-3 height allows him to disrupt the flow of the opposing offense. This young man can finish around the rim really well and is also able to make the defense guard him beyond the arc because his three-point jump shot is better than most. Defensively, Shaheed gets his hands on the basketball when it comes to the passing lanes and he can also block shots with his long arms. Shaheed is an interesting prospect because he will be used differently at the next level, but his skill set is undeniably worth it for a small school to get him.
Will Lucas- Sophomore; Grove City Christian: Not sure how much of a sleeper this kid is after nailing eight three-point shots in a game on December 15, that game may have gotten the sophomore on many radars. Even with the 24-point outburst, Lucas is still averaging a tick under 10 points per game in 2020-2021 and looks to use that performance as a springboard into the rest of the season. Lucas has a quick release and will shoot the ball from anywhere on the court, a fearless shooter is the most dangerous kind. The 6-foot guard also digs in on defense and plays with effort. Lucas plays the passing lanes well, showing good instincts on where the ball will go. This kid will continue to grow throughout this season and the years to come, becoming a star right before his fans eyes.
Domenico Scott- Senior; Fisher Catholic: A young man that can turn defense into offense with his ability to steal the ball in different ways; he can steal it as the offensive player is passing it, he can take it away in man-to-man defensive situations and he can steal the ball from inbound passes. Once he steals the ball, it is almost impossible to stop him in the open court, he has great speed and can lay the ball up with either hand. So far this year, Scott is averaging just under nine points, including a 19-point game, after not being on the roster last season which shows his impact he can have on a school. Colleges should start looking into this film because Scott is a guard that will be the glue to a program over the next couple of years.
Alex Brodner- Senior; Fisher Catholic: Brodner’s 7.8 points per game is fourth on his team but the 6-foot-3 senior is better known for his defense, blocking shots and gathering steals at a high rate. Brodner already has one game in which he had four steals and another one where he accumulated three blocks, showing his defensive versatility. Brodner is the team’s leading returning scorer, putting up 10.3 points per game with a high of 21 points in 2019-2020 and he has taken a small step back on offense to increase his defense. Even though his team has not won a game this season, Brodner’s abilities have been on full display, something that colleges should take note of.
Brae Friesner- Junior; Berne Union: The 5-foot-9 junior is a blur in the open court, racing past defenders on fast breaks and finishing at the hoop with relative ease. He is a reliable shooter as well on the offensive end of the court, knowing how to space and get open in the half court. Where Friesner shines as a small is on the defensive end, where he shows passion, fearlessness and a high basketball IQ. He has good instincts as he comes from the weak side to block shots, along with his ability to track down the basketball while it is in the air to snatch it and begin fast breaks. Friesner can also get into a defensive stance, slide his feet and stay in front of the ball handler. Despite the height, this kid is a competitor that can get it done on both ends of the court.
*All statistics provided by 270Hoops.com*