Early Season Central Ohio Area Standout Freshmen
The freshman class in the Central Ohio area is loaded with potentially great players, great young and aggressive guards along with forwards with worlds of talent and big men that can become pillars of their team for years to come.…
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Continue ReadingThe freshman class in the Central Ohio area is loaded with potentially great players, great young and aggressive guards along with forwards with worlds of talent and big men that can become pillars of their team for years to come. These young men have transitioned to the high school game seamlessly and have made impacts for their respective teams. This list only includes freshmen that have played, get the Columbus City League back on the court, and will not only use offensive stats but also the effect they have on the defensive end as well. Not only building blocks for the future but also key contributors on teams now, here are the top freshmen so far from the Central Ohio area.
Derek Goodman- Olentangy Berlin: This young man could be having the best overall season so far by any freshman in the area. Goodman started out like a house on fire, scoring double-digits in three of his first four games and then he seemed to hit a lull but he has rebounded and got back to his ways by scoring double figures in his last two outings. The 6-foot-1 guard knows how to move without the ball and find open areas where he can catch-and-shoot while getting into the paint and finishing in traffic. Defensively, Goodman is really good at guarding the passing lanes and basically making it a no-fly zone anywhere in his area. The Bears’ freshman guard is gaining valuable experience and getting his name in the air for college coaches to grab on to.
Jesse Burris- Delaware Hayes: One of the better shooters in the 2024 class, Burris has put on some big-time scoring outputs already, including a 22-point game in which he sank five three-point shots. He has also scored double-digits in three of the four games he has played this season. He mixes a quick trigger and a high arch to knock down perimeter shots at a high rate, but the freshman can also put the ball on the ground and get to the hoop. The 6-foot-3 Burris also shows glimpses of a very good defender, being able to block shots while sticking to the ball handler. He hasn’t even swam near the deep end of his talent pool, Burris will continue to get better and expect him to be a problem in the OCC sooner rather than later.
Caleb Ransom- Grove City Christian: A flat out stud, even at his age, everyone can see dollar signs when this kid is around because he will be money. The 6-foot guard is one half of the Eagle ball club and so far this season he has shown why he was wanted coming from middle school. Ransom is a big guard, and room to grow, with amazing strength and physicality that gets to the basket basically at will where he can finish at the rim with both hands and great hangtime. His handle is on point and he can pull up over defenders from any spot on the court. He is leading his team in scoring, dropping in over 14 points per game and showing off his electric skill set. The Mid-State League has a problem on its hands with Ransom, this isn’t one that Ghostbusters can solve.
Juwan Turner- Pickerington Central: While his scoring outputs are not the highest, Turner’s impact and potential can be felt whenever he gets his chance to take the court. Turner’s upper-body strength sets him apart from the other young men in his class, using it to slow down opposing guards and get his shot off through contact. He recently had a game against state championship contender Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, and snatched two steals that showed his basketball instincts and quick hands. Turner will develop into a player that can cover a king size bed with a twin size sheet, he will be able to smother defenders as he grows and gets taller. This kid will be the next great Tiger guard.
Adonus Abrams- Harvest Prep: The lanky point guard has a crafty handle, a smooth first step and can score from every area on the court. Abrams can break a full-court press, slicing through the defense like a knife through warm butter with grace, poise and always being a threat of taking it straight to the cup. He has a soft touch on his deep shots to go along with a smooth looking stroke. His long arms suggests that he may not be done growing yet, so he could be taller than 5-foot-10 which will only help his defense even more. As is, Abrams has active hands on defense, causing turnovers using them and has quick feet that allows him to stay in front of opposing ball handlers. Harvest Prep has another great guard to build around for the future and he is getting better with every dribble.
Sam Johnson- Worthington Christian: Playing behind two terrific scholarship players and playing like he is just as experienced speaks volumes about Johnson’s game. The 6-foot-5 forward has given this team some inside presence and a young man who can nail mid range jumpers with consistency already. He came out the gates with a huge 15-point game in the season opener and has been a nice contributor to one of the best teams in the district. Defensively, this freshman uses his height to his advantage and can block shots around the rim and is quick enough to guard on the perimeter. Johnson gives the Warriors a smooth transition into the future with a player who has a skill set that will only expand as he gets more freedom and pushes his range out to the three-point line.
Briley Cramer- Circleville: An extremely gifted catch-and- shoot player, so far this season Cramer is dropping in over seven points per game. The 6-foot-1 freshman can get to his spots off the dribble and knock down mid range jumpers with frequency. Cramer has a solid handle and makes sound decisions when under pressure. He can play through contact pretty well too, with the ability to control his body after being bumped by defenders. On defense, Cramer uses his long arms and underrated strength to knock the ball away and block shots. Cramer is the guard that the Tigers needed to bridge them into the next few seasons, steady their ship and up their win totals.
Seth Vaughn- Grove City Christian: The other part of the future Eagle back court, Vaughn is second on the team in scoring at 11.5 points per game and that included a 29-point explosion against Northside Christian. The 5-foot-8 guard can handle the ball or play off the ball and be used as a pure shooter, with the ability to get his shot off against most defenders. Vaughn is scrappy and will fight for everything he has, playing with an edge that allows him to be a key contributor on this team. Once the combination of Vaughn and Ransom get more experience at the high school level, this Eagle team could be scary not only in this league but the Division 4 as a whole.
Cortez Freeman- Canal Winchester: When his hair is flopping around in the wind it’s because he is on the move with the basketball in his hand and his speed takes over. Freeman is a natural defender already, with a low center of gravity and quick hands that can take the ball from the opposing player faster than trying to take the fly out of Mr. Miyagi’s hand. His first step is explosive as any freshmen this writer has watched so far this season and when he gets to the basket he can finish over taller defenders. The 6-foot-2 guard already has good size, speed and finishing ability on offense, once he develops a consistent jumper then the Indian fanbase will see a star with worlds of potential and a skill set that translates to the next level.
*All statistics provided by 270Hoops.com