Rankings Overview: Top Ten Small Schools
A weeklong series of Rankings Overview content will answer various questions about the upcoming high school season regarding college talent and teams to watch, for both fans and scouts. Specifically: Who are the 10 most talented teams? Who are the 10 most…
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Continue ReadingA weeklong series of Rankings Overview content will answer various questions about the upcoming high school season regarding college talent and teams to watch, for both fans and scouts.
Specifically:
- Who are the 10 most talented teams?
- Who are the 10 most talented frontcourts and backcourts?
- Which teams are deepest in college talent?
- Which programs are on the rise?
- Who are the most talented small schools?
We’re not just pulling names out of a hat or going on hunches, either. Instead, we’ve got a formula. True science coming atcha!
Here’s how it works: every ranked player is assigned a numerical value based on their rank. For example, there are 200 players in the 2019 Prospect Rankings and prospect no. 1 counts for 200 points, no. 2 counts for 199, all the way down to no. 200 counting for 1 point. In the 2020 Prospect Rankings, the no. 1 player counts for 173 points because there are 173 ranked prospects. For 2021, there are 106 players.
So, we’ve totaled the values for each team and pulled which teams ranked highest in said categories. For example, Hamilton has 401 total points from D’Marco Howard (no. 68 in 2019 = 133 points), Jaylen Robinson (104 points), Trey Robinson (134 points), and Roemello Diablo (27 points). That also accounts for 237 backcourt points, 164 frontcourt points, and 164 rising teams points, which we’ll explain more on Friday.
If you can’t tell, the process of it was super boring, unless you’re a real nerd like me. But the results are interesting! For instance, we can figure out which Division III and IV teams have the highest scores.
#1 Lutheran East: 639 points
Juniors: Nehemiah Benson + Dayvon Adams + TJ Blevins
Sophomores: EJ Farmer + Jalin Billingsley + Colin Albert + Sirr Hughes
Depending on how their transfers are regulated, Lutheran East is a clear favorite to return to the Division III State Final Four. There are a couple legitimate challengers in NEO at the bottom of this top ten, but the Falcons have the raw talent, offensive firepower, size, and postseason experience to be marked as front-runners when at full-strength.
#2 Purcell Marian: 382 points
Seniors: Alex Dotson + AJ Garrett + Bryan Warah + Javonta Lyons
Juniors: Jared Baldock
Purcell’s senior-laden roster should enter the season confident about their chances at a Division III postseason run. Last season, they posted a 20-7 record and will return all of their top contributors. The improved health of Dotson’s shoulder, which could help his shooting efficiency, and development from the others should legitimize them as favorites to dethrone Deer Park.
#3 Deer Park: 372 points
Seniors: Ibrahima Athie
Juniors: Mark Wise + Steven Gentry Jr.
Deer Park is coming off of an undefeated season which culminated in a Division III State Championship. Although Damani Mcentire and Jalen Rose graduated, Deer Park still has a nice top four of Wise, Gentry, Athie, and Joseph Hocker. They will possess an athleticism and power advantage inside. Meanwhile, Wise and Gentry provide scoring with a balance of quickness and strength.
All of their returners have displayed considerable improvements over the spring and summer. But, Rose and especially Mcentire gave them enough defensive IQ and athleticism them to play aggressive defense last season. It will be challenging to replace that element this year.
#4 Harvest Prep: 338 points
Seniors: Soul Hines + Brandon Beavers
Juniors: CJ Anthony
This is a strong enough backcourt to make it out of Central Ohio in Division III this season. All of these guards are high-IQ and efficient basketball players. We expect Anthony to do a little more off the dribble the season — some side-to-side slashes and bringing the ball up. But, still, Beavers will likely be the primary ball-handler with Hines and Anthony focused on scoring.
#5 Cardinal Stritch: 324 points
Seniors: Little Anderson + Jordan Burton + Ashton Caryer
Juniors: Joey Holifield
Stritch is the highest-rated team in NW Ohio with the type of balanced backcourt that should get them through the regular season almost unscathed. In fact, if they can get by Marion Local at Flyin’ to the Hoop, Stritch has a chance to go undefeated. If Stritch’s offense can capitalize on the improved scoring ability of Anderson and Burton, they have a chance at the state level.
#6 Convoy Crestview: 298 points
Seniors: Javin Etzler + Drew Kline
Sophomores: Kalen Etzler
With two future Division I college players in the Etzler brothers, Crestview is the only Division IV team in the top ten. However, there will be several challengers in the Northwest Ohio Regionals, headlined by Marion Local, Minster, and Maumee Valley.
#7 Genoa: 292 points
Seniors: Jake Plantz + Drew Bench
Genoa’s one two punch is ranked no. 50 and no. 60 respectively in the 2019 Prospect Rankings. Last season, their offensive gameplan reflected the top-heavy roster, as these two took most of the shots. Both Plantz and Bench are chippy, athletic, and powerful players who score inside and out and defend at a high level.
#8 Seven Hills: 275 points
Seniors: Brice Hill
Juniors: Curtis Harrison IV
Hill is going to be a very consistent scorer — averaging 18.2 PPG last season, he only had one game in single digits. But, Harrison’s health is paramount to their success. He played in just 14 of their 24 games. Harrison has the potential, though, to be a double-double machine with face-up scoring ability that extends to the 3-point arch.
#9 Elyria Catholic: 272 points
Seniors: Jarred Logan
Juniors: Branson Taylor + Edward Wright
If Logan, the no. 67 prospect in 2019, continues his ascension, Elyria Catholic is going to be a force. Between him and Taylor, they will score a lot of points in the paint. EC is always a well-coached group as well. They have the potential to put together a good enough 32 minutes to knock-off Lutheran East in a postseason game.
#10 Warrensville Heights: 269 points
Seniors: Brandon Rush
Sophomores: Ramelle Arnold
Two Division I talents in the backcourt will be a frightening sight for opponents. Rush and Arnold share certain qualities, like quickness, so it will be interesting if both have enough opportunity to create with the ball.