University of Findlay Shootout Top Junior Performers
I spent the first half of Saturday taking in action from the University of Findlay and their annual team shootout. While watching 6 games, I saw some very talented prospects including the 2024 class. This piece will focus on those…
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Continue ReadingI spent the first half of Saturday taking in action from the University of Findlay and their annual team shootout. While watching 6 games, I saw some very talented prospects including the 2024 class. This piece will focus on those 4 juniors that were most impressive in the Saturday morning session.
Trent Minor Big Walnut
I liked what I saw out of Minor as the 6-foot-4 wing showed great slashing capabilities against a very good Perrysburg team. Minor gets a good head of steam and is downhill quickly for Big Walnut and created some shot opportunities for himself and teammates. At times he keeps the ball a little too long and needs to make a decision a tad bit sooner. The other top performers for Big Walnut were incoming freshmen, meaning Minor will likely see his role continue to increase into the Winter.
Jaylen Murphy Toledo St. John’s
Murphy was a good secondary scoring option for the Blue Jays against Fort Loramie. Having the green light to shoot, Murphy spaced the floor well and showed good mechanics and release from the perimeter. Very quick guard on the defensive end and was particularly impressive staying in front of Caleb Maurer Caleb Maurer 5'11" | CG Fort Loramie | 2023 State OH (2023) from Fort Loramie. Murphy is undersized for a SG only being 6-feet tall. This could hinder his recruitment unless he transitions into a PG role as the season goes on.
Joe Taylor Toledo St. John’s
Taylor accepted his role of being a change of pace player for St. John’s in the game I watched. Taylor has a football like mentality and certainly has the frame of a WR/DB. Strong individual. Hedged screens and fronted the post exceptionally well. Taylor struggled on the offensive end as he is not near as polished and more frantic with the ball. He’s a winner no doubt being an outstanding teammate and a winning 400 meter runner on the track.
Joey Ripke Pettisville
Ripke doesn’t jump off the page as a high level scholarship athlete. What he does bring to the table is confidence and some size for a D4 school athlete. Having a teammate like Cayden Jacoby Cayden Jacoby 6'9" | C Pettisville | 2023 State OH (2023) who attracts the attention allows Ripke to get extra touches and open lanes with the ball. Ripke has good fundamentals with his shooting and honestly can stretch out bigger defenders with his 6-foot-4 body. Ripke along with Jacoby gives the Pilots some size on the interior and help this group be considered a tough out out of NW Ohio.