Top 10 Northwest Ohio Facilitators

<p>Facilitators shouldn't be thought of, simply, as players who prefer to pass. Rather, it's about delivering the ball to teammates in places where they can be successful.</p> <p>The best distributors directly create high-percentage shots for others.</p> <p>Therefore, a facilitator is often someone with the ball-handling ability or sheer quickness to breakdown the defense. Once a facilitator gets past the first line of defense and draws a second defender — or forces multiple players to collapse — he instinctively knows where to go with the ball. </p> <p>So, just keep in mind as we roll through the Top 10 Northwest Ohio Facilitators, we are not simply celebrating unselfish passers. Instead, we're recognizing those who truly facilitate efficient basketball for their team.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/sean-craig/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sean Craig</a> (2022) | 6-5 PF | Northview</strong></h6> <p>Skilled face-up forward quickly building a reputation as a skilled playmaking forward. Craig sees the floor well and is an especially talented passer from the elbow. Finds fellow bigs in the high-low game and shooters on skip passes. Flashes playmaking for others as a slasher on straight-line-drives. Finally, Craig is an active screener who opens up space for ball-handlers with his picks. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kalen-etzler/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kalen Etzler</a> (2021) | 6-8 F | Convoy Crestview</strong></h6> <p>The Ohio State commit is widely regarded for his versatility, shooting, and athleticism. His passing instincts, though, are one of his most distinct qualities. Etzler makes clever touch passes in traffic when thrown the ball inside the arch. Sees the floor with his height and always keeps his head up. Takes advantage when two defenders fly out on him by delivering timely passes. Breaks down the defense as a slasher. </p> <h6><strong>Jordan Fenner (2020) | 5-11 PG | Colonel Crawford</strong></h6> <p>Fenner collapses the defense with his shifty handle. Changes speeds well and knows how to come off screens in a way that forces his defender to trail. Finds shooters often and displays good court sense. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/joey-holifield/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Joey Holifield</a> (2020) | 6-2 PG | Cardinal Stritch</strong></h6> <p>Holifield's combination of athleticism and power is tough to keep away from the rim. Driving hard right or hard left, he can turn the corner and get exactly where he needs to be with consistency. He's very poised in the lane as a finisher and passer. Not a point guard that needs the ball all the time, Holifield delivers the ball to fellow shot-creators and allows them opportunity to cook. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/khalil-luster/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Khalil Luster</a> (2022) | 5-4 PG | Lima Senior</strong></h6> <p>Surrounded by a cast of go-to scorers, Luster understands the importance of not dominating the ball within this Lima offense. He avoids turnovers. Possesses an immense amount of quickness and skill. Capable of creating shots for himself but knows how to use his talents to free up opportunities for others. Terrific use of the bounce pass. Displays court awareness. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jonzell-norrils/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jonzell Norrils</a> (2020) | 5-11 PG | Toledo Central Catholic</strong></h6> <p>Norrils draws a ton of attention as a powerful slasher. Strong enough to absorb contact and still see the floor. Takes advantage of drive-and-kick opportunities once he gets down-hill, leading to truly wide-open 3-point attempts for teammates.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tj-pugh/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TJ Pugh</a> (2021) | 6-5 SF | Shelby</strong></h6> <p>Pugh is an aggressive passer who likes to test the defense with cross-court skips, long advance passes in transition, and risky post entries. Even if it results in an occasional turnover, Pugh creates rare scoring opportunities with his full-court vision. Also a talented scorer who collapses the defense with physical drives. Draws a lot of eyes when he has the ball, as help-side needs to be aware of his scoring presence. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tahj-staveskie/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tahj Staveskie</a> (2020) | 6-0 PG | Sandusky</strong></h6> <p>Dynamic playmaker whose passing ability shines in the open floor. Zings accurate passes in transition to those running the floor with him. Staveskie has a shifty handle, too, which often draws a second guy. A true threat to pull-up, pass, or get all the way to the rim with a live dribble. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ketaan-wyatt/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ketaan Wyatt</a> (2020) | 6-3 PG | Rogers</strong></h6> <p>Wyatt gets past the first line of defense with side-to-side crossovers and long strides on the straight-line-drive. Creative drive-and-kick passer who makes last-second passes from deep into the paint. Also willing to play off the ball after giving the rock to one of his go-to scorers, allowing them to operate against their mismatch. </p> <hr /> <h6><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">Honorable Mention:</span> Cole McWhinnie, Zachary Szul, Nareon Grier, Maurice Purley, Cameron Awls, Dez Jett, Camron Gaston, Gabe Clement, Blake Reynolds, Adrian Michael, Brady Lichtenberg, Shane Garcia</em></h6>