Updated 2018 Ohio Rankings: Southwest Ohio
Within Ohio, there are five regions, largely cast around heavily populated metropolitan areas. Toledo, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton/Cincinnati, and Southeast Ohio, all have their own basketball identity. The game is played differently in each state region, and the prospects of which they produce are, in turn, unique.
While there are certainly statewide trends in Ohio’s 2018 class, there are also regional trends. Don’t believe me, just watch.
Southwest Ohio
The class of 2018 looks to be very wing/perimeter heavy in Southwest Ohio, and the good thing about this is that they come in all sizes. Take for example Darius Bazley, the #1 ranked player in the class of 2018 in Ohio from Princeton High School. The Ohio State commit showed his complete skill set at the Michigan Invitational, which included a 16 point, 14 rebound, 5 block and assist game for C2K Elite in their win over The Elite AAU team in the semis. The 6’8 wing/forwards all-around skill set, particularly on the perimeter, reminds many of a young Lamar Odom.
Another young man to keep an eye on is wing/forward Terry Durham, #47 (Cincinnati Woodward). Durham has played in the post for most of his high school career, but showed some very good perimeter skills at the Ohio Players March Madness, skills that will help him at the next level. Durham showed the handle and ability to get to the rim off the bounce and finish strong with both hands while also showcasing an improved jump shoot. The Smooth Lefty as he is known at Woodward also has the strength to compete in the paint as well. Expect for the 6’4 senior to be to continue to rise up the board throughout the summer and possible garner low to mid-major Division I interest as a player that can play the 2 and 3 position on the floor.
Other players who have the versatility to play in the backcourt and also on the wing include Jeremiah Davenport, #38 (Cincinnati Moeller), and AJ Smith, #76 (Cincinnati Hughes). But one name in particular to keep an eye on is Jason Hubbard, unranked (Miamisburg). The 6’4 Hubbard is a very athletic W/G who uses his length to harass people on defense while also possessing a nice shooting stroke and is at his best in transition. Hubbard has the potential to be a very good 3 and D player at the D-II level and should be a part of the Prep Hoops rankings before long.
As for the point guard position, Southwest Ohio is loaded in talent in that area. 6 of the top 30 players in the state are Southwest Ohio point guards, with 5 those guards coming from the Dayton area including Devon Baker of Dayton Dunbar, the 19th ranked prospect in the 2018 class. The 6’1 Baker is an athletic guard who can score at all three levels while possessing a very good basketball IQ. Baker has also shown the ability to use his outstanding dribbling to gain separation for his jumper which looks to have improved from his sophomore to junior year.
Some other point guards of note in the 2018 class from Southwest Ohio include Eric Boykin, #114 (Miamisburg) and Giovanni Santiago, unranked (Cincinnati Hughes). Santiago is an interesting case in that this was his first year in Ohio after transferring from Puerto Rico. The 5’11 point guard quickly established his self as one of the best PG’s in Southwest Ohio with averages of 14.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 6.6 assist per game while being named 2nd team all-city and conference. Santiago just recently received his first offer from Kentucky State and will without doubt be in our rankings before long.
The 2017-18 season will be the year of the perimeter player in the Dayton/Cincinnati area. If you are a program at any level of college basketball and are looking for perimeter players that can help you immediately, I would suggest starting that search in Southwest Ohio.