Underrated Central Ohio Scorers

<p>For what makes these prospects premier scorers, we will dive into that on an individual basis down the page.</p> <p>They're "<em>Underrated</em>," though because they don't have a Division I offer <em>and</em> are currently not verbally committed to a college program.</p> <p>Let's get back to the scoring part now:</p> <h6><strong>Tasos Cook (2021) | 6-2 G | Westerville Central</strong></h6> <p>Cook is a dynamic athlete with speed and a skill-set. Creates shots with advanced moves like step-backs and euro steps in the lane. A projectable athlete with bounce and quickness. Capable shooter.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/chance-groce/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Chance Groce</a> (2021) | 6-4 SG | Linden-McKinley</strong></h6> <p>Groce routinely scores double figures and has the upside to be a 20 point per game guy. Uses long strides to get past his man on straight-line-drives. Good elevation on his pull-up. Beats defenders with speed in transition. Very smooth when he puts it on the floor. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/conner-maciag/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Conner Maciag</a> (2020) | 6-1 G | Pickerington Central</strong></h6> <p>Maciag will have his chance to prove his scoring prowess for Pickerington Central this season. June team camps were a promising sign for Maciag and the Tigers, where he showed off an improved ability to create Very good shooter off the dribble after crossing over side-to-side. Pretty solid body that can handle contact. Keeps defense on their toes with his court vision.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/darius-parham/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Darius Parham</a> (2021) | 6-2 SG | Bishop Ready</strong></h6> <p>Parham has an elite skill-set with an improving physique. He's transformed into a chiseled athlete with long arms and above-average bounce. Uses changes to speed and wiggle to get to his spots. Finishes through contact. Shoots it well from 3. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jerry-saunders/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jerry Saunders</a> (2022) | 6-1 G | Pickerington North</strong></h6> <p>Saunders has a natural scoring touch. Scores on finesse floaters and creative short-range pull-ups in the lane. Also displays terrific shooting mechanics on his jumper. Operates well with or without the ball. Saunders can run the point or 2-guard. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/taquan-simington/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Taquan Simington</a> (2020) | 6-2 SG | Columbus South</strong></h6> <p>Simington's finishing ability is his most striking asset. He hangs in the air with body control and can kiss it off the glass in traffic. A lesser-known quality of Simington's is his pull-up, though. Very good driving hard either direction before stopping and popping on a dime. Great elevation on that shot where it's basically uncontested whenever he goes to it. He is South's leading returning scorer at 13.6 points per game. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/bilal-sow/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bilal Sow</a> (2020) | 6-4 PF | Canal Winchester</strong></h6> <p>Remarkably skilled post player with length and a thick body. Sow can create for himself regardless of where he catches. He's a threat to spot-up shoot from deep. He plays at his own pace when he attacks out of the face-up. Possesses go-to and counter moves in the paint. Effective baby hook shot. Scored 18.5 points per game last season.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/keaton-turner/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Keaton Turner</a> (2020) | 6-0 PG | Coffman</strong></h6> <p>Turner's growth spurt over the past year has unlocked an inside the arch game to go with his outside shooting ability. His ball-handling moves are more effective now that he can drive or step-back for a shot. Quick side-to-side with deceptive moves. Shoots it extremely well. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/desmond-watson/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Desmond Watson</a> (2021) | 6-4 F | Columbus DeSales</strong></h6> <p>Watson combines skill with power to be a very effective slasher. Causes mismatches for most teams. Effective scorer in isolation situations against forwards, where he often scores and/or draws contact after beating them on the dribble-drive. Finishes through contact. Impressive use of spin move in the paint.</p> <hr /> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">Honorable Mention:</span> Brian Collier, Kaveon Ross, Cali Davis, Jack Pugh, Nate Griggs, Derrick Hardin, Makhale Massey, Eli Burke</em></strong></span></p>