Season Preview: Columbus City League South

We recently took a look at the City League North and all that comes with it. That means we’re on to the City League South division. The City League South is headed by two division l teams with a ton of talent in Columbus South, who was a division ll runner up last year and Walnut Ridge. <h3>First team:</h3> Cali Davis (6’0” / PG 2020 / Africentric): Davis returns as the second leading scorer in a prospect packed south division. The senior guard is the leader for Africentric and a part of a very talented backcourt for the Nubians. Davis can get his own shot, handles the ball well and is a known shooter. Expect the 2020 prospect to once again put up numbers this season. Taquan Simmington (6’2” / G 2020 / Columbus South): Simmington was huge for South last season and will be once again this season, maybe even more with the loss of Tre Watkins. South has maybe the top two most athletic players in the conference and one of them being Taquan. Uses it to his advantage to rack up blocks, steals and finishing around the rim. Simmington showed an improved way to create space for his jumper this summer, that would be big time for him and the Bulldogs. We’re all expecting big things from the senior this season. Marcus Johnson (6’4” / WG 2020 / Columbus South): Marcus Johnson is the versatile prospect for South that pulls it all together and does a little bit of everything. For the Bulldogs he can play inside a bit and rebound, just a big time athlete that has bounce around the rim where needed. The senior could provide more scoring this winter as he showed an improved jumper with All-Ohio this summer. Johnson is going to rack up numbers across the stat sheet and do whatever is needed for the Bulldogs, because that’s who he is. An electric player when he’s going for the rim. VonCameron Davis (6’4” / WF 2020 / Walnut Ridge): The Kent State commit is simply the best player and prospect in this conference. Simply to strong inside for the rest of the conference and to offensively sound to stop. Davis is improving his ability to stretch the floor as he will be a small forward at the college level. Leading the league in scoring last year at 27 a game, expect him to be between there and 30 once again. Central Ohio’s leader for Mr. Ohio, in terms of preseason predictions. Javion Williams (6’4” / WF 2021 / Briggs): On paper, Williams was one of the better scorers in the division last season. I got to watch him back in June and his style of play definitely matched his numbers. A player to watch that is going to put up numbers for Columbus Briggs this winter. Williams is an elite rebounder as he fights for everything, whether it’s getting, or not allowing extra possessions. A big time double-double player this year. <h3>Second team:</h3> Julian Binford (5’9” / G 2020 / Eastmoor Academy): Julian Binford that could be plugged into first team by many people, as he was that level of player last year. Also, will be just as good this year. But, we believe he fits in well in the second team lineup. Undersized guard that doesn’t backdown from competition. The senior was solid last year at about 13 points a game, and could see a little jump from that this coming year. Eastmoor’s lead guard creates space well and can finish inside often with an extended finger roll. Once again will be that guy for his team. Trevell Adams (5’11” / G 2020 / Columbus South): Adams was a key piece in the post season run last year for the Bulldogs. He’s back this year and into a bigger role. For all we know, he could end up first team after the year, but that’s pressure you don’t want to put on a student athlete before the season. Adams will step into a starting role for South, after being one of the best bench players in the state of Ohio. Adams brings big time athleticism and the ability to finish anything around the rim, by whatever means necessary. Capable shooter but his strong suit is off the dribble drive. Into a bigger role, Adams will definitely see a big boost in his production. Rebounder, defender and team player. Eli Burke (5’10” / G 2021 / Africentric): Burke is one of three guards mentioned in this article that can go. Operates with or without the hall and will be a bucket once again this season for the Nubians. The junior can get teammates involved as well as score it off the dribble. Expect a lot of open threes for Burke off of kick outs, because that’s just what he’s capable of getting as the other guards demand so much attention. Eli has good burst to the rim where he always finishes strong. A candidate to be a stock riser this year. Sam Barton (6’4” / PF 2020 / Columbus South): Barton is one that many still may not know, but he was huge for South down the stretch last year. The ability to play taller than he is with a bigger frame that allows him to grab everything inside. This season the senior figures to be a bigger part of the offensive plans as he’s shown the ability to even stretch the floor. Barton has a big time motor that doesn’t stop working. Double-double kind of prospect this year. Kaveon Ross (6’5” / PF 2020 / Walnut Ridge): Ross is a multi sport athlete that can turn up in football or basketball. On the court he’s a big floor runner that cleans up everything and can be a terror in transition, where you don’t want to get in his way. This season opponents should expect Ross to be involved in the offense more next to Davis. The big framed forward is going to have some big nights on the boards as well as the scoring sheet, with touches inside. Special mention Dan Wagner - Africentric Qian Magwood - Walnut Ridge