The “By the Numbers” look at the will slice the class up by
AAU program, high school, and
future college.
The first two measure grassroots and high school basketball programs by the same superlatives, including deepest program and most high-end talent.
In the look-ahead to the next level, our college article recognizes college programs bringing in two or more Ohio prospects. Trends will be based on both quality and quantity.
For now, you're reading the high school version.
Deepest Program
Determined by the total number of ranked players.
Four-way tie: Beechcroft, Garfield Heights, Hughes, Pickerington North
The three major markets (Cincy, The Land, and C'Bus twice) in Ohio basketball are represented in this metric. All of these programs have five players included in our rankings.
Surprisingly, none of these teams made it to the Final Four this season. Hughes went the farthest, losing to Trotwood in a D-II Regional Championship game. Garfield Heights, a recruiting hotbed, is the most likely team to be even stronger next season.
Most High-End Talent
Determined by the number of players ranked 1-30 in the 2018 rankings. Prospects in this range are in the surefire D-I tier.
Four-way tie: Moeller, Pickerington North, Walnut Hills, Wayne
This metric was slightly more indicative of playoff success this season. Moeller took the D-I State Championship, a run that included a Regional Final win over Wayne. For what it's worth, Moeller had players 5 and 11, making them the true no. 1 here.
Most D-III Talent
Determined by the number of players ranked 96-251 in the 2018 rankings. Prospects in this range are most likely to land at the D-III college level. However, there are plenty of exceptions.
Lakewood St. Edward
One of the most respected high school programs in Ohio, Eds will likely send four players to the D-III level this season. The quartet of hoopers: Emmett Chambers, PJ Flannery, Pat Daugherty, and Elliot Tribaso. They graduate no players who were above #95.
Best Backcourt
Determined by the total of the players score. For example, the #3 and #12 prospect = 15. The lowest score wins.
Wayne
With a score of 38 points, Darius Quisenberry and DeShon Parker were the runaway winners in this category. The senior backcourt led Wayne to a regular season record of 20-1 and a no. 3 finish in the AP Poll. Both will play at the D-I level in college.
Best Frontcourt
Same formula as the Best Backcourt, except we chose three forwards/centers instead of two guards.
Pickerington North
Jerome Hunter, Elijah McNamara and Dondre Palmer combine for a score of 87. We just looked at starters here, but Ross Ryan was also in the rotation for the Panthers this season. This one wasn't even close as far as depth is concerned. Pick North was a matchup issue all season.
Most College Commitments
Determined by the number of players committed to a college program, as of March 28.
Garfield Heights
This is not even considered an especially strong class for Sonny Johnson's Bulldogs, with just one player moving onto the D-I level. However, Garfield placed five players into college programs with Donovan Forte, Alex Heath, Keandre Graves, Taj'mal Toney, and Julian Whiteside moving on to the next level.
Most Unsigned Talent
Determined by the number of ranked players not committed to a college program, as of March 28.
Hughes
All five of the ranked players in Hughes deep 2018 class haven't announced a college decision. Between the five, offers range from the D-II to the JUCO level. Four of the five will definitely play college basketball.
