Midweek Evals: Euclid, Mentor, CCC, Garfield Heights
A mini-Cleveland trip where we saw Mentor at Euclid then Cleveland Central Catholic at Garfield Heights on consecutive nights helped us build evaluations on several talented prospects. Instead of two game recaps, we’ve combined our observations for one piece that…
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Continue ReadingA mini-Cleveland trip where we saw Mentor at Euclid then Cleveland Central Catholic at Garfield Heights on consecutive nights helped us build evaluations on several talented prospects.
Instead of two game recaps, we’ve combined our observations for one piece that highlights the standouts:
Luke Chicone (2021), 5’9” PG, Mentor
stats: 12 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists
Very impressed with Chicone’s passing and scoring ability in their 64-53 win over Euclid. Understands how to improve passing angles when he identifies an open man. His changes of speed, ball-handling ability, and ball fakes allow him to get anywhere on the floor. Quick release, so defenders need to respect the pump fake. Chicone’s ball creation in the air on finishes was elite — an important specialty for a kid of his size. Wasn’t asked to defend the primary ball-handler, instead was assigned to a rather uninvolved wing on the opposing team.
Garvin Clarke (2020), 6’0” PG, Euclid
stats: 9 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists
Although we were waiting for Clarke to take-over as a scorer and it never happened, the junior had a major effect on the game in multiple ways. His passing and court sense are truly elite. Clarke made every read in a timely matter, especially when working with a ball screen. Not only did he hit the screener on pick-and-rolls, Clarke also zinged balls into the shooting pocket when a third defender peeled off to defend the two-man game.
As a scorer, Clarke is an ambidextrous finisher who burned Mentor on back-door cuts. Didn’t shoot the ball very well Tuesday. Finally, he was effective as face-guarder in the second half and has tremendous quickness on that end.
Taryl Davis (2019), 6’5” F, Cleveland Central Catholic
stats: 13 points, 7 rebounds
An unknown commodity for us heading into Wednesday, Davis wound up being an influential X-factor against Garfield Heights. Davis combines a strong body with above-average leaping ability. Finishes strong in traffic, including two and-ones on rim-dives in a pivotal third quarter for CCC. Davis also proved capable of defending in space, even defending Meechie Johnson with some success for short stretches.
Luke Floriea (2020), 5’10” G, Mentor
stats: 18 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
To my understanding, Floriea is a football prospect first. But, he had one of the best performances I’ve seen from a junior guard this season.
His athleticism as a wide receiver translates to the hardwood in terms of his speed, but he’s also tremendously skilled. Sticking with his speed for a second, though, Euclid had no answer for Floriea’s dribble-drive ability in the first half. He slithered into the lane on several occasions and made the right play consistently. Good drop-down passes and an ability to finish with either hand from low angles on contested layups. He also used his speed to fly in on help-side defense and make plays. Instinctual player.
Many of his points came from beyond the arch. Not unusual for Floriea to sprint to a comfortable spot beyond the arch in transition. The shot is a little flat but, who cares, it’s effective. He also boxes out very well.
Meechie Johnson (2021), 6’1” G, Garfield Heights
stats: 4 points, 9 assists
Johnson is one of the most talented shot creators I’ve seen since covering Ohio. Wednesday, however, Johnson was keyed in on facilitating. He passed up shots that are very much in his wheelhouse to defer to teammates. They were nice reads, too. Johnson makes tough passes to shooters once he leaves his feet around the basket. Also delivered a couple nice bounce passes after he baited forwards to help off their man when he drove. Very quick laterally.
Sonny Johnson Jr. (2022), 5’10” PG, Garfield Heights
stats: 23 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 7 made 3-pointers
Our third time seeing the highly touted freshman was certainly the most promising performance to date. A volume shooter and, boy oh boy, the shots were falling Wednesday against CCC. Johnson started the night 6-for-6 on 3-point attempts and had 18 of Garfield’s 24 points at the break. Gets rid of the ball quickly and doesn’t need much space to hit shots. Sneaky hands when defending the drive and impressive lateral quickness.
Mario Lacy (2019), 6’6” F/C, Euclid
stats: 15 points, 12 rebounds, 1 block
Lacy is far from a finished product but the late-bloomer flashed big-time athleticism throughout the night. The big man is fluid, both in the open floor and around the basket in tight spaces. Not a particularly great shooting touch of soft hands. However, Lacy’s bounce and quickness off the floor result in easy finishes on dives to the rim and transition opportunities. Made a few contested shots over the shoulder.
Deshaun Nettles (2020), 6’7” F, Cleveland Central Catholic
stats: 10 points, 4 rebounds
Nettles came to play in our first time seeing the versatile forward. He aggressively sought his shot off the dribble. He played a surprising amount around the perimeter, but maybe that’s his game. Not remarkably polished but a capable shooter inside the arch and off the dribble heading towards the basket. Doesn’t quite know how to optimize his size on finishes, instead adjusting to avoid smaller shot-blockers a couple times.
Nettles, however, is a bouncy and pretty fluid athlete that can run the floor and rebound. Should be able to defend both forward spots and could potentially be a rim-protector, too, depending on the level. He jumps out as a talent.
Mason Trubisky (2019), 6’6” F, Mentor
stats: 13 points, 8 rebounds
Yet another multi-sport athlete for Mentor who shined Tuesday. Trubisky has impressive ball skills for a 6’6” kid that can defend the post well. Moves very naturally for a kid of his size. Trubisky is a threat when he faces the basket from beyond the arch, both as a shooter and driver. He’s also a presence on the offensive glass.
Trevon Wells (2019), 6’4” F/C, Cleveland Central Catholic
stats: 19 points, 8 rebounds
We fell in love with Wells’ post-up ability when we caught him in the summer with TNBA . It’s just such a novelty — his combination of patience, ability to get defenders in the air on pump fakes, soft touch, and physical strength is rare at 6’4”. He constantly drew contact and finished against more prototypical athletes on Wednesday, too.
Wells also showcased IQ and shooting ability in their win over Garfield. Confidently stepped into two made 3-pointers. Caught the shooter’s roll several times from the free throw line. For a post-up guy, Wells is very comfortable catching outside of the paint and making a read.