Northwest Ohio Showcase: 2019 Prospects
On Sunday, Prep Hoops checked out the Northwest Ohio Boys Basketball Showcase at Toledo Christian School. The third annual event featured players from the northwest Ohio area,with a select few driving in from out of town.
While there wasn’t a large quantity of 2019 players that stood out from the event, some of the highest quality prospects resided in the junior class. Of the four players selected here, three are from an All Ohio Gold team that finished as the #2 in the final
Jordan Burton, 5’10” G, Cardinal Stritch
Burton is about buckets. He was the primary ball-handler for his team on most possessions. Once Burton made the initial pass in the offensive set, he often spotted up around the arch and was aggressive as a catch-and-shooter. He’s reliable from out there, which eventually set up his one-dribble pull-up and penetration game.
Little Anderson, 6’2”-6’3” G/W, Cardinal Stritch
On back-to-back weekends, Anderson has impressed us with his disruptiveness on the defensive end. On Sunday, he caused a countless amount of turnovers with his defensive instincts, strong hands, and motor. Furthermore, he looks more like a 2-guard on the offensive end these days. He’s become more of a playmaker for others, as he’s showing a good feel when he penetrates the lane, which led to a couple easy layups for cutting teammates.
Trey Syroka, 5’10” PG, Whitmer
Before the summer, we thought of Syroka as more of a score-first guard. But, he’s fully transitioned into becoming a true point. Even in a showcase setting, Syroka put his teammates in scoring positions with pinpoint passes after drawing the defense’s attention. In fact, there were plenty of times when he was steps ahead of his Team Green teammates, meaning his teammates couldn’t convert dimes into points. Regardless, Syroka’s shifty handles and passing ability should thrive as an upperclassman at Whitmer.
Drew Bench, 6’5” F/C, Genoa
At 6’5”, Bench could likely play the 5 at the Division II level. His motor is extremely high. But more importantly, he’s actually able to protect the rim because of his strong upper body and leaping ability. Bench blocked multiple shots on a couple possessions because of his quick hops and effort level. Also, he trotted out the three-point shot a bit this weekend when defenders sagged off.