What’s With All the Hybrids?
Rather one wants to admit it or not, Ohio is a huge prep football state. Just look back at the history of the game in Ohio and it is hard not to see that fact. But many of those same football stand-outs also have went on to become stand-outs on the hardwood as well. Names from the past like Cris Carter (NFL Hall of Famer, Middletown c/o 1984) had options from excelling in both sports. And that trend continues today as numerous prep athletes around the state are excelling on the football field and the hardwood. Here are some of the top football/basketball athletes in the Cincinnati area.
Xavier Johnson, Summit Country Day C/O 2018- One of the best dual sport athletes in the Tri-State area, Johnson was named 1st team All-Conference as wide receiver last fall, finishing with 919 receiving and 12 total touchdowns. Johnson is just as talented on the hoop court finishing last season with averages of 8 points and 2 rebounds and assist per game. Currently ranked #77 in the state, expect Johnson numbers to soar on a much younger Summit team than in past years as Mr. Johnson does an excellent job at attacking the rim and finishing with both hands. Xavier is considered a D-I prospect in both sports with interest from Michigan State among others in football and Wright State among others in basketball.
Jack Cravaack, Madeira C/O 2018- Ranked #75 in the state, Cravaack is considered one of the top forwards in the state. During his junior year campaign he posted averages of 15 points and 7 rebounds per game. Jack is a very physical presence in the paint with excellent hands and a great ability to finish around the rim. While exceling on the hardwood, Cravaack is best known for his feats on the football field where he is one of the best tight end prospects in the state. Currently the senior-to-be has over 15 D-I offers on the gridiron including from Purdue and Wake Forest.
Chris’seon Stringer, Cincinnati Taft C/O 2019- “Grown Man” as he is known is one of the more physically impressive prep athletes in the state of Ohio. On the gridiron Stringer was named first team All-CMAC as a safety/wide receiver after finishing second in the conference in receiving yards with 539. On the basket court Chris’seon is a monster as well as he currently ranked #22 in his class in the state. The 6’2 guard stays in attack mode the whole game as he is relentless at getting to the rim. Stringer has the strength to finish at the rim and also at times showed an improved jumper in particular around the free throw line. A knee injury at the end of January cut his sophomore season short on the hoop court.
Demarco Bradley, Cincinnati Taft C/O 2019- Another outstanding two-sport athlete coming out of Taft. Bradley is dual –sport star who was named first team All-Conference in football (RB/DB) and second team All-Conference in basketball as a (Guard). On the hardwood Bradley is amongst one of the quickest guards in Cincinnati with the ability to find the open man and is more than capable of knocking down the open jumper. Bradley finished in the top 10 in steals and assist last season while shooting 41% from three point range.
Joey Edmonds, Wyoming C/O 2019- One of the best pure shooters in the state of Ohio, Edmonds gained the attention of Prep Hoops after an outstanding playoff run where he averaged 13 point per game on 39% shooting from three. One underrated aspect of Edmonds game is his ball-handling ability. He can use his dribble to blow by and get to the rim while also using to setup two and three dribble pull-ups. Edmonds was named first team All-Conference in basketball while also being named Honorable Mention All-Conference on the gridiron as a WR/DB.