Bill Hensley Run n Slam: Northern Ohio Underclassmen
Yesterday, we told you about the performances in the 2018 class. Today, we’re looking at the underclassmen who stood out at the Bill Hensley Run n Slam in Fort Wayne. Over the next four articles, which will be presented to you today and tomorrow, we will go through the classes of 2019 and 2020, segmented by region.
To begin, let’s take a look at the top performances from Northern Ohio.
DJ Dial (2019), 5’9” PG, C2K Elite / Cleveland Brush
We’ve written pretty frequently about Dial over the past couple weeks, but it’s all because he’s playing extraordinary basketball right now. At 5’9”, the Division I prospect needs to continue being a great on-ball defender. This weekend, he slid his feet with elite speed and picked up three-quarters court. Also, Dial makes quick decisions with the ball and appears to be a coach on the court, based on how his teammates responded when he gave direction.
Jarod Schulze (2019), 6’8” F/C, Northwest Ohio Basketball Club / Minster
Schulze is a very large sophomore. It doesn’t help his lateral movement, as he currently has limitations on what types of players he can effectively defend. However, around the block against bruisers, Schulze consistently pushes guys off the block. Also, his shooting touch and finishing ability makes for a nice scoring option around the basket.
Nathan Bruns (2019), 6’5” W, Northwest Ohio Basketball Club / Marion Local
Here’s yet another NWO Club prospect who just plays hard as heck. Bruns can be found battling for loose balls, boxing out hard, and fighting through picks. Also, Bruns scores the ball at a high level with his back to the basket and from deep with his feet set. Handles the ball well for someone who will play the wing in college. Bruns will continue to be a mismatch problem for opponents, as he’s willing to bury smaller guards on the block.
Zeb Jackson (2020), 5’11” PG, C2K Elite 16U / Maumee Valley
Jackson was the only Ohio 2020 player we watched this weekend who was playing in the 16U Division. Despite being thin, Jackson hangs with the older competition, and is often still one of the best players on the court. His side-to-side quickness and explosive first step allows him to create separation every time he attacks. There’s questions on which guard spot Jackson will play in college, but he’s so talented and young that the concerns seem to be a bit of an overreaction. Big-time shooter.
Andy Barba (2020), 6’5” G, All Ohio Basketball Club / Cleveland Benedictine
After an epic one-point game between OBC and Red on Sunday, Barba told us that he thought he could’ve played better. There’s always room for improvement. But, we came away very impressed with Barba. On the break, Barba can weave or absorb contact from defenders and finish softly off the glass. In the half-court, Barba spreads the floor with an efficient catch-and-shoot triple. He’s aggressive with his jump shot, which helps his team because it goes in often.
Devontae Blanton (2020), 6’5” W, All Ohio Red EYBL / Lakewood St. Edward
Blanton was playing a lot of lead guard on Sunday. He’s a pretty exceptional ball-handler at his size. He made heads-up decisions in the lane off the dribble drive, often finding wide open shooters in the corner or wing. This point guard ability is only adding to his already versatile offensive arsenal. Blanton was also pretty good at hitting the mid-range jumper.
Montorie Foster (2020), 6’0” PG, Ohio Basketball Club / Lakewood St. Edward
Foster is one of the most competitive guys in his class, especially in big games. Going against Dominiq Penn, who currently holds an offer from Stony Brook, Foster took his game to another level. Foster’s athleticism is used when defending guys on the ball. Also, he explodes to the rim for offensive rebound attempts. Even though Foster is a point guard, he moves off the ball well, often getting the ball on cuts and finishing around the rim.
It seems that Foster may continue to be underrated throughout his career because he’s playing alongside some phenomenal players at St. Edward. However, the kid should not be overlooked. He’s one of the best point guards in Ohio’s 2020 class.
Grant Huffman (2020), 6’3” G, Ohio Basketball Club / Lakewood St. Edward
On a team with a ton of ball-handling talent, Huffman was the trusted point guard all weekend. Although he doesn’t break ankles, he’s very reliable with the ball and almost makes splitting double teams look easy. Huffman has a mature understanding of time and score. Athletic finisher.
Luke Frazier (2020), 6’2” G, Ohio Basketball Club / Lake Catholic
Frazier spent a lot of time killing opponents with his corner three. Showed consistency on the catch-and-shoot. We are not sure if Frazier does much creating for others, as he just didn’t spend too much time with the ball. However, he has nice understanding of where to position himself without the ball. Had a nice play on Sunday where he picked a player’s pocket, got the steal, and then finished a tough and-one on the other end.
Harley Day (2020), 6’5” F/C, Mid Ohio Pumas / North Union
Day doesn’t appear to be freakishly skilled or anything; but at 6’5”, he finishes consistently at the basket. He had at least two occasions where he made quick post move to avoid a defender and then touch the ball off the square for two points. Also, Day is very self-aware, realizing that he can be super effective as a screener. His large frame opened up some nice driving lanes for this next guy…
Cam McCreary (2020), 6’1” PG, Mid Ohio Pumas / Colonel Crawford
McCreary is the best point guard in Ohio that you haven’t heard of yet. Even amongst the guys with more name-recognition, he’s one of the best in the state.
When we saw him on Saturday, he just made it look so easy. McCreary can get to any spot within the arch in about two dribbles, as he doesn’t waste time with the ball. Exceptional in the pick-and-roll. McCreary has a killer step-back jumper from three-point land. The jumper opens up his drives, which often end in a wide-open layup after a help defender has to commit to McCreary. Even as a very young prospect, McCreary can control a game.