Summer Recap: All Ohio Black 2017
The All-Ohio Black 17U group is a collection of players, mostly guards, who made a habit of outworking highly recruited prospects. Being on the same floor with teams like Metro Boston, Alabama Premier, Mac Irvin Fire, and Baltimore Elite, their…
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Continue ReadingThe All-Ohio Black 17U group is a collection of players, mostly guards, who made a habit of outworking highly recruited prospects. Being on the same floor with teams like Metro Boston, Alabama Premier, Mac Irvin Fire, and Baltimore Elite, their guys naturally gained attention from getting after it in big moments.
However, it’s puzzling to consider the lack of offers and buzz surrounding prospects like Brett Lauf, Elijah Allen, Michael Zitney, and so forth. It’s certainly not due to a lack of leadership and effort from Coach Deron Turner.
“It’s no finale. This is just a continuation of greatness by us. There’s more work to do. Not just by those guys and their on-court success they’ll have this season at their high schools being the leaders. But me, as well. … My passion right now and my goal right now is to see every single one of these young men get an opportunity to play at the next level. And get their college education taken care of. I probably won’t rest until I see that happen.”
Pride|Passion|Toughness|Resilience
The Embodiment Of Our Family. No Finale, Only The Continuation Of Greatness By Us pic.twitter.com/u4I9VAS1AK— All Ohio Black 2017 (@allohioblack17) July 25, 2016
This persistence expressed by Coach Turner manifested itself on the court byway of stingy, full-court defense.
“The strength of our team was our guard play, that was pretty much known when the team was put together … We would just pressure you 94 feet. We could turn any guard over, doesn’t matter how good you are. We could force big men to play faster than they wanted to,” Coach Turner said. He also gave credit to Coach Roberdo Allen for installing defensive schemes.
A successful July is proof of that, where they performed superbly in Orlando, Chicago, and Columbus.
Going into their senior seasons, college options should expand for most of these student-athletes. For now, here’s the current recruitment they are seeing…
Brett Lauf (2017), 5’11” PG, Napoleon
Interest from Findlay, Ashland, Lake Erie, New Hampshire, Stone Hill (MA), Lafayette College (PA), and Goshen (IN).
“Brett Lauf came to play … We were playing against Ware Raiders, and they had us down three in OT, 6 seconds to go. He hits the game tying shot to send us into a second overtime. Just that clutchness about him,” Coach Turner said.
Michael McKay (2017), 5’11” G, Springfield
Interest from Heidelberg.
Heidelberg has contacted Springfield High School's PG @Mike_Mckay1 (2017) to show interest.
— Prep Hoops Ohio (@PrepHoopsOH) August 2, 2016
“He played, I mean, offensively at times he was unstoppable. His ability to shoot the basketball from deep, his ability to put the ball on the floor, get buckets within the lane, create his own shot one-on-one, or within our offense — Mike seemed to get anything he wanted,” Coach Turner said.
Michael Zitney (2017), 6’10” C, Massillon Jackson
Interest from Cleveland State, Oberlin, Ashland, Mt. Vernon Nazarene, University of Chicago, Earlham (IN), Air Force, Army West Point, and Lafayette College (PA).
Zitney’s college decision is oriented around finding a strong academic institution that offers a credible pre-medical program.
Elijah Allen (2017), 5’9” PG, Gamble Montessori
Interest from Ashland, Ohio Dominican, and Wheeling Jesuit (WV).
On a team with plenty of quality point guard, Allen was the court general. Players like Lauf and McKay came off-ball, and Allen was the primary ball-handler.
Amir Foster (2017), 6’1” G, Trotwood Madison
Interest from Ashland and Tiffin.
Coach Turner: “He is probably one of the best defensive players that I’ve seen at this level, and he’s committed to doing that.”
Anthony Mills (2017), 6’2” G, Westerville South
Offers from Malone, Urbana, and West Virginia State.
Anthony Mills has been offered by Malone University!
This is Anthony's third full ride offer joining WV St. & Urbana pic.twitter.com/4Yy7I9kVpE— Westerville South (@SouthBasketball) June 24, 2016
Other interest from Lake Erie, Ashland, Heidelberg, Mt. Vernon Nazarene, Charleston (SC), Fairmont State (WV), and High Point (NC).
Miles Joiner (2017), 6’4” W, Vandalia Butler
Interest from Ashland, Urbana, Ohio Dominican, Wittenberg, Maine, Davenport (MI), Fairmont State (WV), and Rochester (NY).
Maine would like Joiner to take a visit this fall.
As a wide receiver, Joiner has received interest from Division-I college programs.
Mar’ya Taylor (2017), 6’7” W, Walnut Ridge
Coach Turner has reached out to Sheridan College (WY), to see if they’re interested in his talent.
The lefty used his offensive versatility to impres in spurts. “Mar’ya had a few moments where he took games in little pieces. Can rebound, shoot the ball. Provided that little spark off the bench,” Coach Turner said.
https://twitter.com/Bigron12r/status/721481512126967812
Deandre Powers (2017), 5’9” PG, Columbus Northland
Powers is yet to see interest from colleges.
High character kid who should log solid playing time with Northland as a senior.
Ro’Naughi Durham (2017), 6’6” W, Tiffin Columbian
Interest from Ohio Dominican, Tiffin, and Purdue University Northwest (IN).
Durham did not play in the final two tournaments, because of a football injury.