Ohio Capital Conference- Buckeye Division Sleeper Players
If familiarity breeds contempt then no team in the Buckeye division of the OCC should feel contempt about the other because none of these teams played in this specific division last season. Sure, some teams were in the same division…
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Continue ReadingIf familiarity breeds contempt then no team in the Buckeye division of the OCC should feel contempt about the other because none of these teams played in this specific division last season. Sure, some teams were in the same division but they are all new to this division and that gives this a breath of fresh air. Three teams have already taken the court without a loss being taken, giving some players shine already while the others are salivating at the chance play. Some players in this division are being looked over because of team record, low playing time and for some it’s because they have not gotten the opportunity to shine at the high school level. Take a look at some of the under the radar players that plan to have a breakout season.
Dylan West- Junior; Lancaster: The diminutive guard, only 5-foot-8, is literally overlooked because of his height but by watching his game he should not be. West’s height actually allows him to get in the lane easier, sneaking by defenders before they even realized what happened. So far this season he is averaging 11 points per game which is second on his team and he has started hot from deep. His quick release and high arch make his jump shot difficult to defend in one-on-one situations. The only people will continue to not give this young man his respect is by not watching him play.
Blake Snezik- Senior; Lancaster: Another player who has already hit the hardwood this season, Snezik is a sneaky prospect that can do damage for his team this year. Blake stands at around 5-foot-10 but he plays like he is 6-foot-7 with incredible leaping ability to snatch rebounds. Snezik does the dirty work for his team, diving for loose balls and knocking down timely shots. For his size, he is a good scorer in the paint, being able to power through defenders and have a soft touch to make shots in the paint area. Snezik is a big part of the Golden Gales 2-0 start and he hopes to continue at this pace.
Zaveon Croff- Senior; Reynoldsburg: A terror in the paint, Croff lives in the restricted area and scores most of his points in that part of the court. Standing at close to 6-foot-2, the guard has a soft touch which is needed by a player that relies on layups and floaters and that is part of the reason he is slept on. Croff has a college-ready physique with a game that resembles your smooth uncle who was a high-school star. Defensively, Croff has good awareness by getting in the passing lane for deflections and steals. He also is capable of pressuring the ball handler and disrupting the offensive flow. Croff averaged 6.7 points per game last season and that number should rise this season due to his experience and an offense more focused on inside scoring.
Kade Bafford Kade Bafford 6'0" | PG Newark | 2021 State OH – Senior; Newark: Defense rarely gets you noticed, which is why Bafford was the ultimate sleeper player in this division. He plays with guts and desire as if he is playing a playoff game every time. His low center of gravity actually helps him defend because he combines that with outstanding strength to control how other guards get into their offensive flow. His on ball defense is tremendous, he can switch off and guard bigs while still contesting shots and making it hard for bigger players to score on him. Offensively, Bafford is able to knock down shots when given that chance and make plays for his teammates as well. A kid that schools should take notice of because he can change a team’s outlook on their season.
Gavin Headings Gavin Headings 6'8" | PF Pickerington Central | 2023 State OH – Sophomore; Pickerington Central: This lefty has as sweet a stroke as any player this writer has watched in the entire OCC. Gavin is a remarkable shooter with a consistent looking shot and a quick release. He is not phased when a hand is his face, it’s almost like the hand is invisible. The 6-foot-7 big man can also take his man in the paint and shoot over defenders in those situations, even though he does not have much of a true post-up game. He is overlooked with all the talent that surrounds him on this team but he wants to breakout this year and be seen as a top sophomore in this state.
Juwan Turner- Freshman; Pickerington Central: Not sure how much he’ll actually play this season but this is the next great guard to come through the Pickerington Central program. Turner is beyond his years when it comes to thinking the game, always seeming to be one step ahead of the defense. He has a nice frame to grow into and he will be stout before it is all said and done. He gets to the basket at will and can keep the defense honest with his deep shot. Turner is a great leader even as a freshman and will command the respect of teammates and coaches alike. If Turner was a basketball stock, this writer’s advice is to get in early while it’s cheap because soon he’ll be too expensive.
Isaiah Bridges- Junior; Central Crossing: Bridges is a newcomer to the varsity game and will be relied on to help carry the scoring load for his team. The 6-foot-6 junior doesn’t have much experience to lean on at this level but his talent should be able to rise through it. Bridges has a soft touch around the rim, and long arms that allow him to release over the majority of defenders. He will need to be a hound on the boards to end defensive possessions and to keep offensive ones alive. With his lack of varsity playing time heading into his season most people have not heard or seen Bridges play but he looks to put his game on display this season.
Abubakar Diallo- Junior; Groveport Madison: With a season average of just under 7 points per game and standing at only 5-foot-9, it is easy to see why he gets overlooked. With new coach Lamont Hampton coming in, Diallo’s ability to apply ball pressure could help him. Diallo gets into the ball handler’s hip and can use his quick hands to get steals and start fast breaks. On offense he has a way of getting to the cup and creating easy shots for his teammates. He is plenty athletic for his height with quick feet as well, a player small schools would like to have on their roster.
*All statistics provided by 270Hoops.com*