Mid State League- Ohio Division Sleeper Players
Sleeper players come in all heights and classes, being undervalued due to how tall they are or their high school scoring production. What they do not understand is that these players could be the glue to their teams or they…
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Continue ReadingSleeper players come in all heights and classes, being undervalued due to how tall they are or their high school scoring production. What they do not understand is that these players could be the glue to their teams or they have not been given the opportunity to show what they could do on this level yet. Whatever the case could be, some players will always fall through the cracks and be under-recruited. In the Ohio division of the Mid-State League, some players that have bright futures won’t be appreciated until they are on the campus of the school that took the plunge on them. From seniors that are overshadowed by other stars on their team to freshmen that have bright futures and players that have already played and not getting their proper credit, here is the list of the sleeper players that play in the Ohio division of the Mid-State League.
Sam Johnson- Freshman; Worthington Christian: This kid had an excellent summer, showing up and showing out on every court he stepped on and he carried that over to the start of season, scoring a team-high 15 points in the opening game. A confident young man, Johnson can rebound very well as well, with surprising athleticism and great timing. So far this year he is putting up 7 points per game on an undefeated team, doing his job and utilizing his tools properly. Johnson is surrounded by so much talent that he will get lost in the scoring shuffle at times but he will be key to many of the Warriors victories in 2020-2021.
Kobe Buford Kobe Buford 6'4" | SF Worthington Christian | 2021 State OH -Senior; Worthington Christian: A pure bulldog on the court, tough, gritty and a young man who does not mind doing the dirty work for his team. Buford is a defensive standout, constantly drawing the assignment of the opposing team’s best scorer. His 6-foot-3, stocky frame allows his strength to take over on defense and the way he stays in front of the ball handler makes it difficult for players to get around him. Budord can also score if given the chance, averaging 7 points per game last season with a high of 18. An overall solid player who does not get the credit he deserves because of the absolute studs that wear the same jersey as him.
Jared Kass- Senior; Columbus Academy: In 13 games last season, Kass averaged 5.2 points per game which included one game scoring 15, and this year he comes back as a team leader. In his team’s win this year, he only scored four points but he showed that he is an elite level defender. He is more athletic than he looks and it seems like he glides when guarding someone with how smooth he moves. When Kass plays off the ball, he is really good at keeping his eyes on both the ball and his man, tricking ball handlers into a false sense of security, waiting on the pass and coming up with big steals. Since he is primarily a defender, he does not get the proper shine he does, Kass is a really good prospect for a small school that could use a kid with good effort and energy.
Parker Logan- Senior; Columbus Academy: Scoring 13 points in the opening game, Logan helped power Columbus Academy to a victory. The long-armed, football standout, the 6-foot-2 Logan is scrappy on the defensive side of the ball and causes steals and loose balls with his sheer will and determination. Fast in the open court, he will get many of his points in transition with layups and kicking out to the three-point line for open jumpers. Logan will give his all to each game, coming off the court with a face as red as the Columbus City Schools logo and he will try his hardest to improve his team’s win total from 11.
Owen Osborne- Junior; Buckeye Valley: Last season, Osbourne was able to gain experience without too much responsibility on his plate, he played in 18 total games and scored 125 total points with a season-high of 14. So far, in two games this year, he is scoring 9.5 points per game and fitting in with the offense seamlessly. The 5-foot-9 Osborne is good at handling pressure, using his handle to get away from it and making the correct choice once given the opportunity. Although he is small, it’s never the size of the dog in the fight, Osborne competes at the point guard spot defensively and causes steals and loose balls to begin fast breaks.
Jaiion Lowe- Senior; Whitehall: Standing at 6-foot-7, Lowe only played in 9 varsity games and scored 40 total points in 2019-2020 but this year should be the year he breaks out. Over the summer, Lowe impressed many with his side-to-side mobility and his ability to guard perimeter players when he was switched out onto them. The lefty is able to make plays for himself and his teammates as well, with a good handle and pretty good vision when looking to other Rams to pass to. He showed that he could shoot well enough, with a smooth looking stroke and a high arch to make sure it does not get blocked. In 2020-2021, Lowe and Sibley will make things difficult for other teams in the Ohio division of the Mid-State League.
Teddy Brown Teddy Brown 5'10" | PG Whitehall | 2021 State OH – Senior; Whitehall: In 17 games in 2019-2020, Brown averaged 6.6 points per game for the Rams and was instrumental in many of the 15 wins his team accumulated. The 5-foot-10 guard can impact games on both ends of the court with his defense and his ability to knock down mid range jumpers while finishing at the rim on his explosive drives. Brown is scrappy on defense and can cause deflections with his toughness and sneaky athleticism. When he puts the ball on the ground, Brown can get to the basket and finish with some tough baskets in the lane but he can also stop and hit mid-range jump shots. A kid that is as tough as $2 steak, Brown can change games with his grit alone.
Evan Henry- Senior: Wellington: Helping guide his team to 18 wins, Henry averaged 5.5 points in 22 games and gained some experience that will carry him into this season. A knockdown shooter when he gets his feet set, Henry is capable of lighting a team up when they leave him open. When forced to put the ball on the ground, Henry can get the basket and dish it off for easy baskets from his teammates. Quicker feet than defenders realize, Henry can shift his body weight effortless to wiggle around defenders and get into the lane. With good size, 6-foot, he can defend either guard position and rotate well in the team’s defensive scheme. Coming into this year, his name is not mentioned much but if his team can succeed at the same level or higher than expect to hear it much more.
Grant Culbertson- Senior; Grandview Heights: Losing around seven seniors is tough on everybody, none more than the returning players who will be tasked with the duty to step up and replace the production. Culbertson played in 12 games last season and averaged four points per game with a season-high of 15 points but he was impactful during his minutes in 2019-2020. The 6-foot-6 forward uses his height to protect the rim and make players think twice before the shoot over him. Culbertson is good at poking away the basketball when he is asked to guard on the perimeter as well, with the ability to run the fast break himself and finish at the rim. Trying to repeat as division champs will not be easy for Grandview Heights but if Culbertson can transform from sleeper player to player that cannot sleep, they have a great chance of that.
Chris Mitchell- Junior; Bexley: Playing in 21 games last season, Mitchell put up 6.1 points per game and proved that he can be a dead-eye shooter. This young man has a funky release, it is far from the smoothest thing ever, but it drops at a high rate and the arch he puts under the shot is tremendous. Mitchell can also put the ball on the floor with some really nice handles and finishes at the basket athletically with grace. He plays smart defensively, understanding the basics of “ball-you-man,” and is able to come off of his man and create havoc from the weak side while rotating well when it is needed. Mitchell hopes to combine with his other Lions and up their win total from 7.
*All statistics provided by 270Hoops.com*