Ten Best: Thomas Worthington at Delaware Hayes

<p>Despite 17 combined 3-point field goals from Thomas Worthington sophomores <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/jalen-sullinger/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jalen Sullinger</a> and <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/isaac-settles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Isaac Settles</a>, Delaware Hayes is still undefeated after their Monday night OCC-Cardinal showdown. Hayes won 76-73 and, meanwhile, TWHS now sits at 3-2.</p> <p>We’ll touch more on individual performances shortly, but Hayes’ 2-3 zone cannot go unmentioned. After being dominated on the glass playing man-to-man in the first quarter, Hayes neutralized a size disadvantage and forced TWHS to become a jump-shooting-team with the zone.</p> <p>It worked extremely well, for a while that is. Hayes led 66-58 with 3:32 to go. Then, Thomas Worthington was red hot in the final minutes, scoring 18 points the rest of the way. Regardless, their decision to change defenses after one quarter was crucial — so effective that they won a game where two guys combined for 17 3-pointers, a complete anomaly for any duo outside of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.</p> <p>Anyways, here’s out Ten Best:</p> <h4><strong>MVP: <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/nate-griggs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nate Griggs</a> (2020), 6’0” PG, Delaware Hayes</strong></h4> <p>Griggs is an unassuming athlete with a slight built but, wow, does this kid know how to finish around the rim. Time after time in the second half, where he scored 16 of his 24 points, Griggs launched his body into the chest of a larger opponent before gathering mid-air for a soft finish off the glass. He also kicked it out to shooters a few times. None of this happens, though, if Griggs isn’t super quick off the dribble, including his first step. Takes care of the ball.</p> <h4><strong>Breakout Performer: Jalen Sullinger (2021), 5’9” PG, Thomas Worthington</strong></h4> <p>Sullinger is a lefty with a high-arching shot who scores it with range. The 2-3 zone forced him to shoot a couple feet beyond the arch and he likes to pull either off the catch or after going through the legs for a gather. The sophomore buried <em>nine</em> 3-pointers on the night for 35 points, to go with three assists.</p> <p>He couldn’t really attack the zone much, but Sullinger is a talented ball-handler who changes directions and speeds very well. His excellence in the fundamentals will carry him places as a recruit.</p> <h4><strong>Stock-Riser: Isaac Settles (2021), 6’5” G, Thomas Worthington</strong></h4> <p>Settles was the one player for TWHS who took advantage of the soft spot in Hayes’ zone — the high-post/elbow. He scored a couple mid-range jumpers by flash cutting or taking one dribble pull-ups. But, mostly, Settles fired deep 3-pointers as well and connected on seven of them. He scored 27 points but added six assists, too. Shooting may have been the void in Settles’ game this summer. Even though it still has a little diagonal rotation, he shoots it above his head and gets good arch on it.</p> <p>His physicality remains impressive. Settles has definitely grown a bit, looking to be a legitimate 6’5” guard out there. Settles is improving as a passer, even showing the IQ to drive at a defender to force help before dishing off yesterday. His strong frame helps defending the drive. Off the ball on defense, Settles is a risk-taker in passing lanes.</p> <h4><strong>Top Signee: <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/ben-wight/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ben Wight</a> (2019), 6’9” F/C, Thomas Worthington</strong></h4> <p>The future Ohio Bobcat’s highlight of the game came on a transition dunk in the first half where he threw it down all over the defender with two hands. His fluidity and ability to run the floor give him a lot of upside. TWHS failed to involve him a ton against the zone, but his first quarter offensive rebounding forced Hayes’ hand to switch looks. Defensively, Wight can slide is feet very well against the drive.</p> <h4><strong>Top Unsigned Senior: <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/terin-kinsway/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Terin Kinsway</a> (2019), 6’5” W/F, Delaware Hayes</strong></h4> <p>Kinsway scored a quiet 14 points on the night, as he was one of the only top contributors who didn’t set the crowd on fire with multiple 3-pointers. Instead, the senior found cutters after catching around the arch and scored occasionally on the drive. Kinsway is fast with the ball for his size.</p> <h4><strong>Top Junior: <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/paul-burris/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Paul Burris</a> (2020), 6’6” W/F, Delaware Hayes</strong></h4> <p>Burris made a name for himself in the grassroots season and in the first half looked the part of a guy who will become a D-II priority this summer, where he scored all 15 of his points. Although his teammates took care of the rest after halftime, Burris truly impressed. He hit three 3-pointers on spot-ups, which will need to remain a strength. But he also has impressed as a play-maker and someone who can put it on the floor. Burris dropped-off a couple passes to the opposite block when help-side came over. He also pushed off the defensive rebound. Burris is also working on a one-foot fall-away once he gets within 12 feet off the dribble — a nice counter-move.</p> <h4><strong>X-Factor: Jwan Lyles (2019), 6’2” W/F, Delaware Hayes</strong></h4> <p>Lyles exploded for 13 points in the second half after struggling to find his shot in the first. When he’s hitting catch-and-shoot triples, it adds a new layer for Hayes that makes them very tough to guard. TWHS was happy to see him attempt 3-pointers for a while and they helped off him, but Lyles made them pay after halftime. Long athlete who also crashes the glass and is crafty around the rim as a scorer.</p> <h4><strong>First Time Watch: Maurice Collins (2021), 6’4” G/W, Thomas Worthington</strong></h4> <p>Collins is an intriguing 6’4” wing with long arms and a thin build. Although his lack of muscle doesn't help him defend the drive, his length and defensive mobility is an asset against smaller guards. His shooting mechanics look to be fine. Although Collins is a work-in-progress on offense, he surely has time to develop.</p> <h4><strong>Honorable Mention: <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/kyler-block/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kyler Block</a> (2019), 6’6” F, Thomas Worthington</strong></h4> <p>The unsigned senior forward had four points and six rebounds. The 2-3 zone affected his impact on the game and he surprisingly was not used as playmaker in the high-post (nobody was, it wasn’t just him). Block has a knack for keeping possessions alive on the glass.</p> <h4><strong>Honorable Mention: Ryan Smudz (2021), 5’9” PG, Delaware Hayes</strong></h4> <p>Smudz provided quality minutes off the bench for Hayes as another ball-handler who has a good feel. He didn’t force the action and made quick decisions to pass off to open shooters. Smudz showed a good handle against pressure and knocked down a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to end the first quarter.</p>