Best Freshman-Juniors of the week 1/18-1/23
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Over the past week I saw many Freshman-Juniors who stood out. This article will spotlight the best of the best from the past week. My scouting for this week included Caldwell 50 @ Patriot Prep 41, Pickerington Central 57 @…
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Continue ReadingOver the past week I saw many Freshman-Juniors who stood out. This article will spotlight the best of the best from the past week. My scouting for this week included Caldwell 50 @ Patriot Prep 41, Pickerington Central 57 @ Columbus DeSales 58, Gahanna 56 @ Westerville Central 55, Federal Hocking 55 @ Trimble 74, ISA 64 @ Medina 56 and Archbishop Hoban 68 @ Saint Edward 76.
Bede Lori Bede Lori 6'2" | SG Caldwell | 2023 State OH , 6’2 SG Caldwell 2023: Lori came very close to breaking the state record for most consecutive free-throws made this season. Unfortunately he missed last week, but got started on another streak during the Redskins impressive win over Patriot Prep. Lori has nice touch in the mid-range area, using the jump-stop and the floater to score in the paint. In my opinion, Lori is much more of a shooting guard than a point, but handles the ball a decent amount for Caldwell. Seeing Lori for All-Ohio Red 15 U and now Caldwell gives me a very different evaluation setting, which is important for small-school prospects.
Chris Towns, 5’8 PG Patriot Prep 2023: Towns is one of the best passers in the 2023 class. He gets to the paint and usually forces helpside defenders to collapse and then Towns takes advantage and feeds the open man. At this stage, Towns has to drive and dish because he’s not quite there yet as a finisher physically. If Towns can add to his scoring ability, he will be a solid prospect with very good passing and solid defensive ability already as a Sophomore.
Josh Harlan Josh Harlan 5'10" | PG Pickerington Central | 2022 State OH , 5’10 PG Pickerington Central 2022: Harlan has stepped into the starting point-guard role and is excelling this season. Harlan can really shoot the ball and plays tough defense as well. I believe programs who don’t rely on dribble-drive attacking from a point guard should take a close look at Harlan. Harlan produced in both games I saw of the Tigers this week, showing his consistent production this season.
Sean Jones Sean Jones 5'10" | PG Gahanna | 2022 State #102 Nation OH , 5’10 PG Gahanna 2022: Jones reminded everybody why he’s viewed as one of the top prospects in the state with a magnificent performance without senior Maceo Williams Maceo Williams 6'6" | C Gahanna | 2021 State OH . Jones is an absolute blur on the court and uses his impressive straight line speed and change of direction quickness on the fast-break. Jones took over in the fourth to secure the win for the Lions.
Javan Simmons Javan Simmons 6'7" | C Gahanna | 2022 State OH , 6’7 PF Gahanna 2022: Simmons has seen his stock rise as much as any player in the 2022 class, but I was already high on him entering the season. Simmons didn’t get much run with the varsity group last season, but when I saw him in limited minutes he usually produced. This season, he’s become a primary option for Gahanna and producing almost every time he puts his jersey on. Without Williams in the paint, Simmons feasted inside early and often. Just way too strong for most opposing big men, Simmons is making the most of his opportunity given this season.
Blake Guffey Blake Guffey 6'2" | SF Trimble | 2022 State OH , 6’2 SF Trimble 2022: Guffey scored his 1,000th point of his career in this one, a very impressive feat for the Junior wing. A stud on both the gridiron and hardwood, Guffey uses his strength to his advantage on the basketball court. Knocked down a pair of corner 3-pointers, his shooting development will be key. Many will never have heard of Guffey because of where he lives, but he’s one of the best multi-sport small-school athletes in the state and a legitimate college basketball prospect.
Michael Bova Michael Bova 6'2" | CG St. Edward | 2022 State OH , 6’2 SG Saint Edward 2022: Bova is one of the best finishers that I’ve seen this season. Bova does an excellent job of avoiding shot blockers and adjusting his body in mid-air. Also, while Bova doesn’t have elite quickness, he gets where he wants with the basketball and scores often around the cup. If Bova can ever become a reliable catch and shoot 3-point shooter, sky’s the limit for a kid who already makes a ton of winning plays and has been crucial in the Eagles fast start to the season.
Jonas Nichols, 6’2 SF Archbishop Hoban 2024: Nichols was the most impressive freshman that I’ve seen this season and it isn’t very close. Nicholas shined against a disciplined Saint Edward squad that threw some of their top defenders at him all game. Nichols was scoring in a variety of ways, showing his versatility and poise. Physically, Nichols doesn’t look at all like a freshman as he stands at 6’2 and 200 LBS on the Knights roster. It’s very early in the developmental process for Nichols, but I expect him to be on the radar of very high caliber programs in the next couple seasons.