Weekend Warm-Up: Run n’ Slam 17U
As soon as we jumped on the road back from Indy back to Ohio last weekend, excitement started for the Run n’ Slam. Consistently one of the top national events of the year is once again being held in Fort Wayne this weekend at a basketball museum/supercenter.
To get you ready for the best non-Live event of the spring, let’s look ahead to the action by combining recruitment updates with a recap of what happened in Indy last weekend. Even though D-I coaches cannot attend the Run n Slam, there’s still plenty to report as far as Ohio’s top recruits and non-Division I prospects are concerned.
Super Pools
The state’s Nike EYBL affiliate, All Ohio Red, rebounded in circuit play last weekend with a 3-1 Session II. They left Indianapolis with a +8.5 point differential, beating teams like The Family and Meanstreets.
Ohio State’s 2019 recruiting class headliner, Alonzo Gaffney, continues to blossom on the circuit. At 6’9”, Gaffney’s upside is in his versatility. He tapped into that potential by averaging 22.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in their three wins, before getting caught in foul trouble on Sunday.
Otherwise, Woodstock Academy 2019 prospect Tre Williams’ motor and strong frame earned him an offer from Manhattan over the weekend. The former Reynoldsburg star has also gained interest from Indiana State, Eastern Illinois, Rhode Island, Western Carolina and others after putting up 9.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game in Indy.
Teammate and 6’5” wing Tanner Holden also impressed for Red at Session II, averaging 13.8 points on 50 percent shooting. The athletic wing stars in two sports but will play basketball in college. Holden tells us he was further evaluated by the Buckeyes, Dayton, Toledo, Marshall, Ohio, and Iowa last weekend.
Moving onto C2K Elite, whose 17U group finished 1-3 in their second UAA weekend.
A pair of Southwest Ohio 2018 prospects who’ve decided to go prep next season had quality outings. First of all, former Moeller Crusader Jeremiah Davenport has become a mismatch problem on the block like never before. Davenport put up 10.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. Teams like Xavier, Cincinnati, Dayton, and West Virginia are keeping tabs on him.
Meanwhile, 6’6” broad-shouldered Gabe O’Neal shot 80 percent to score 16 points in their win over B. Maze Elite on Saturday. It was his first weekend with the team, but he’ll stick around for the foreseeable future and also go prep.
Otherwise, programs like Ashland and Northwood will track C2K this weekend for their D-I/D-II tweener prospects like Brandon Haraway and Na’Elle Simmons.
Finally, Nova (James) took care of business last weekend in the adidas Gauntlet Silver, going a perfect 5-0 and winning their side of the Gold Bracket. The cohesive group is peaking at the right time.
They blend surefire D-I talent with prospects who need to be watched by D-II and NAIA programs at Spiece, including St. Vincent-St. Mary guard Chris Painter. Although his recruitment has been quiet, Painter has impressed with their second unit all spring.
Meanwhile, Painter’s high school and AAU teammate Lunden McDay has continued to make sound basketball decisions while showcasing athleticism throughout the season. McDay and Jeremiah Keene have the attention of Wright State after the spring Live Period, and offers for both could be on the way.
Otherwise, this Nova team was watched by a number of schools in Indy: Western Michigan, Wright State, Ohio, Ohio Dominican, Mount Vernon Nazarene, Cedarville, Air Force, Virginia Commonwealth (VCU), Miami of Ohio, Bethel, Cincinnati State, and probably a few others.
Pools D-W
All Ohio Gold has proven capable of competing with any level of competition. They finished as Runner-Up at last weekend’s Terrific 24. The group has talent up and down the roster, but skilled 6’6” forward Jackie Harris is especially feeling it right now. Harris was watched by Air Force and Army last weekend, with other interest from Toledo, Ohio Dominican, and Upper Iowa. This weekend, Harris will be watched by West Liberty and Malone. We can only assume he’ll have scholarship opportunities by the time July comes around.
Otherwise, the Genoa duo for Gold is also playing well. Jake Plantz, a 6’4” guard/wing, will be followed by West Liberty and Fairmont State in Fort Wayne. Other interest includes Ashland, Walsh, and Slippery Rock. Teammate Drew Bench is a D-I football recruit who is still open to playing basketball at the next level.
Nova (Russell) will also be in Fort Wayne after a two-week stint in Pennsylvania, as part of the Hoop Group Summer League. They finished in the round of 16 at the Spring Jam Fest, posting a record of 3-2. Penn commit Max Martz has been reportedly outstanding as a shot-maker. Meanwhile point guard Josh Russell has received interest from D-IIIs in the Northeastern US. Also, Harvest Prep 6’4” off-ball guard Soul Hines is hoping that D-II interest starts building soon.
Dayton Metro’s Ethan Conley is having a moment right now. Offers from Findlay, Ashland, Cedarville, and Urbana have been sent his way in the past week. Conley will also be watched by Bethel College this weekend. We also expect many others to check-in on the rising wing.
The Mid Ohio Pumas Elite 2019 team lost in the Gold semifinals of the adidas Gauntlet Silver in Indy last weekend. Sharp-shooter Sean Marks continually impresses us with his range and efficiency. Concord (WV) expressed interest for the first time after Indy, to go along with a slew of Midwest D-IIs that are tracking Marks. Teammate Brice Hill has nice size, fluidity, and shooting ability on the wing. Hill is a high-academic prospect who will be watched by Ohio Wesleyan and the University of Chicago this weekend. Otherwise, Hill has been in contact with Hillsdale, Ohio Dominican, Bellarmine, Hanover, and others.
Northwest Ohio Basketball Club’s Ryan Nunn received his first offer during the Indy weekend, as Goshen entered the picture. The offensively-driven and athletic guard played excellently all weekend. Teams like Walsh, Findlay, Madonna, possibly Indiana Tech and St. Francis will watch Nunn this weekend. NW Ohio went 3-1 in the Nike Midwest Takeover last weekend.
Finally, the Ohio Hoopsters have a potential weekend breakout coming from 6’4”-6’5” guard Bo Myers. Keep an eye on him this weekend. Also, athletic point guard Ethan Heller played well during their 2-2 Indy weekend. Heller expects to be watched by St. Francis, Mount Vernon Nazarene, Findlay, and Concord (WV) at the Run n’ Slam.