Top Quartets (No. 1-4)

<p>Last season, Trotwood’s quartet of Amari Davis, Carl Blanton, Sammy Anderson, and Justin Stephens showed that a group of four stars can win a State Championship. Below are the four top quartets in 2019-20, with a description of how their personnel may fit.</p> <h5><strong>No. 4: Columbus South</strong></h5> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trevell-adams/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Trevell Adams</a> (2020), 5-10 point guard</strong>: One of two athletic guards who can ensure the up-tempo style South will likely employ. Adams, too, can patiently orchestrate a half-court offense. Draws a second defender on slashes. Rebounds well. </p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/taquan-simington/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TaQuan Simington</a> (2020), 6-2 guard</strong>: Transition weapon who finishes in traffic acrobatically and with great hangtime. Bouncy rebounder in traffic. Defends multiple spots. Occasionally pulls up for a graceful jumper. </p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/marcus-johnson-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Marcus Johnson</a> (2020), 6-3 wing</strong>: Defensive Swiss Army Knife who can push pace directly off the defensive glass. Defends four positions and will cause mismatches for forwards if the Bulldogs go small. </p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/samuel-barton/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Samuel Barton</a> (2020), 6-3 forward</strong>: Big-bodied playmaker who will need to keep large forwards and centers away from the glass. Uses crossovers and hesitations to twist up slow-footed matchups. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5><strong>No. 3: Buchtel</strong></h5> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tae-perie/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tae Perie</a> (2021), 6-0 point guard</strong>: Floor-spacing shooter with range. He can take over as the primary creator when called upon to do so — for example if Livingston is on the bench for rest or fouls. </p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/chris-livingston/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Chris Livingston</a> (2022), 6-5 shooting guard</strong>: Supremely talented wing who can score or create for others seemingly at will. Uses a blend of athleticism and IQ to manage games, balancing his own scoring with keeping talented teammates involved. Defends most positions. Impressive rebounder. </p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/noah-peeples/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Noah Peeples</a> (2021), 6-3 forward</strong>: Effective face-up scorer from the elbow. Doesn't need plays drawn for him, rather can find points within the offensive and on put-backs. Bouncy, agile, and tough. Very active rebounder. </p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/vernon-smith/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Vernon Smith</a> (2021), 6-7 center</strong>: Energetic rebounder and rim protector due for an increase in playing time. Can defend in space and close on slashers in a hurry for help-side rejections.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5><strong>No. 2: Mentor</strong></h5> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/luke-chicone/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Luke Chicone</a> (2021), 5-9 point guard</strong>: Remarkably clever and skilled playmaker. Chicone can shoot it very well from outside and often uses that to maximize his pump fake and get into the lane. Quick and jumpy athlete. </p> <p><strong>Luke Floriea (2020), 5-10 guard</strong>: Speedster with elite shooting ability who finishes ambidextrously when ran off the 3-point line. Good instincts on both ends of the floor. High-motor. Defends at a high level. </p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/caleb-piks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Caleb Piks</a> (2020), 6-4 guard</strong>: Versatile defender with outside shooting ability and toughness. Finishes in traffic. Makes good decisions. Provides rebounding and will be a mismatch for forwards, especially because of their pace. </p> <p><strong>Chad Rogers (2020), 6-5 forward</strong>: Mentor's muscle. At 6-foot-5 and just over 200-pounds, Rogers will keep opposing bigs away from the glass. He can also get to the line, hit an outside shot, and shows touch inside. Another mismatch on most nights.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5><strong>No. 1: Taft</strong></h5> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mark-wise/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mark Wise</a> (2020), 6-4 point guard</strong>: Poised leader with a state championship pedigree. Slashes with power and can defend on the wing. Drives and kicks when the defense collapses. Plus rebounder.</p> <p><strong>Leroy Walker (2020), 6-4 wing</strong>: Provides scoring from the wing, mostly as a slasher. Walker — along with unlisted <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/muhammad-metz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Muhammad Metz</a> — likely benefit from a lot of open looks as the defense keys on Wise, Griffith, and Smith.</p> <p><strong>Rayvon Griffith (2023), 6-5 wing</strong>: Raw athlete with prototypical athleticism and size on the wing. Electric leaping ability. Will help on the glass and has the tools to defend multiple spots. Most likely to premiere as Ohio's no. 1 2023 prospect when those rankings are eventually published. </p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nekhi-smith/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Nekhi Smith</a> (2020), 6-5 forward</strong>: The lone returning Senator on this list. Smith is both bruising and skilled. Mature build and the ability to finish through the teeth of the defense. Also stretches out bigs with his jumper and ability to create from the perimeter. </p>