Preseason First Team All-Dayton

<p>Considering<strong> team success</strong> and one’s <strong>individual influence</strong> towards winning, who will be the five faces of Dayton basketball this season?</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mo-njie/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mo Njie</a> (2020) | 6-9 C | Centerville</strong></h6> <p>Njie will be the most impactful defensive player in Ohio as a senior. His presence on the back-line of Centerville's defense is maybe the single-most reason they have a chance to dethrone Moeller in Southwest Ohio.</p> <p>A star prospect who thrives in his role, Njie earnestly blocks shots on help-side and shows an unrelenting commitment to his specialization as a rim-protector and rebounder. Offensively, denying a post entry to Njie will often be a two- or three-person effort, opening up shots and cutting lanes for his teammates.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/darren-rubin/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Darren Rubin</a> (2020) | 6-1 PG | Oakwood</strong></h6> <p>Rubin, a Denison commit who figures to be a freaking stud at the Division III collegiate level, has taken massive steps in his development each year. In points per game alone, Rubin has gone from 4.0 points per game as a freshman to 12.9, then a league-leading 22.2 as a junior. The defensive attention afforded to Rubin has also seen an upward trajectory, by the way.</p> <p>Sure enough, though, Rubin once again displayed a more dynamic game during this grassroots season. He has maintained his shooting range and general consistency from outside. Yet, Rubin is more adept at creating space with his side-to-side crossovers and changes of pace. His improvements should lead to a conference Player of the Year and a potential Southwestern Division championship.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/carl-blanton/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Carl Blanton</a> (2020) | 6-2 SG | Trotwood</strong></h6> <p>Every year I've covered the state Trotwood has a clear-cut go-to scorer, whether it was Torrey Patton, Myles Belyeu, or Amari Davis. Carl Blanton is up next, folks. </p> <p>While Blanton was one of the most over-qualified secondary options in Ohio last season, his catch-and-score ability is primed for the featured role. He doesn't waste time with possession, rather quickly pulling up or beelining straight to the cup when he receives a pass. Blanton can finish in traffic and in transition. Very good shooter. </p> <p>Finally, along with Alter and Thurgood, Trotwood still projects as one of the top Division II teams in Dayton.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nolan-mader/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Nolan Mader</a> (2020) | 6-4 SF | Tippecanoe</strong></h6> <p>Mader truly broke-out last season with an average line of 18.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while shooting near 40 percent from distance. Tipp's move from the GWOC to the newly-formed Miami Valley League affords them a more favorable schedule. Plus, consider the rapid improvement of junior point guard Ben Knostman, who can draw and kick to Mader for open shots. We expect the senior's numbers to balloon while Tipp flips the script from 7-16 to a winning record. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trevon-ellis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Trevon Ellis</a> (2020) | 6-3 PG | Stivers</strong></h6> <p>Coming back from an injury that sidelined him for all of his 17U season, expect a spirited effort every night from the unsigned Ellis. When you attach hunger to a multi-faceted skill-set such as Ellis's, it should lead to a Dayton City League Player of the Year honor and a deep Division III tournament run.</p> <p>The big, strong guard prospect plays at his own pace and shows power when attacking the basket. Very good interior passer when he's in traffic, not to mention the finishing ability. Ellis will also be one of the top rebounding guards in Ohio when healthy. </p>