Seniors Off To A Hot Start

<p>Enough games have been played to give us a hunch about who has improved since summer and/or last season.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/max-land/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Max Land</a> (2020) | 6-4 SG | Moeller</strong></h6> <p>Competing against Lutheran East and St. Vincent-St. Mary — two Northeast Ohio Division II powerhouses with athletic defensemen to throw at Land — the St. Francis (PA) signee is putting up big totals at an efficient rate. Bolstering an improved shot, Land is currently 13-of-16 from the field and 12-of-15 from the free throw line, averaging 19.0 points and 7.0 rebounds. Already an elite athlete, his continued improvements in ball skills could make him an immediate difference-maker in the Northeast Conference.</p> <h6><strong><span style="font-size: 1rem"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/yousef-saleh/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Yousef Saleh</a> (2020) | 6-0 PG | Beavercreek</span></strong></h6> <p>Three things have defined Saleh's high school career: speed, hustle, and health. Through four games, Saleh is averaging 8.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.5 assists, which tells us he is playing at 100-percent as a senior. The unsigned lead guard is dynamic with his ability to blow-by in a straight line and finish against shot-blockers. Defensively, he stays attached on- or off-ball by chasing around screens. Although he isn't scoring efficiently right now, his assist numbers are promising, indicating that he is hitting open guys when a second defender comes. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/matt-allocco/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Matt Allocco</a> (2020) | 6-4 PG | Bradley</strong></h6> <p>Bradley is off to a 2-0 start following quality wins over Hamilton Southeastern (IN) and Thomas Worthington, who along with Bradley and South appears to be one of the top three teams in Central Ohio right now. Allocco's defensive leadership and scoring ability has paced Bradley so far. <a href="https://prephoops.com/2019/12/hilliard-bradley-thomas-worthington-standout-prospects/">He turned it up a level in the second half against Thomas, continuously getting to the free throw line.</a> Bradley now enters a three-game week culminating in Saturday's headliner against Pickerington North on Saturday at the Ohio Scholastic Play-By-Play Classic. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/marcus-johnson-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Marcus Johnson</a> (2020) | 6-3 SF | Columbus South<br /> </strong></h6> <p>The super-athletic unsigned wing has led South to a 2-0 start with wins over St. Charles and Buchtel. He's been their leading scorer both nights, averaging just over 20 points per game. Johnson's ability to rebound is crucial for this undersized bunch. When he grabs it off the defensive glass, Johnson is one of the state's most likely players to go coast-to-coast where his speed and leaping ability shine. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trey-robinson/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Trey Robinson</a> (2020) | 6-6 SF | Hamilton</strong></h6> <p>It's no surprise that Robinson, a Northern Kentucky recruit, is putting up 19 shot attempts per night right now. A 16-point win over Mason, though, is a bit of a surprising result. Individually, Robinson scored over 20 points just twice last season, yet put up 27, six rebounds, and four assists on opening night. His versatility and shot-making ability is daunting. Big Blue has a premier matchup Friday against Princeton. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kyle-szumski/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kyle Szumski</a> (2020) | 6-2 SG | Medina</strong></h6> <p>An unsigned senior, Szumski is averaging 21.0 points per game with Medina cruising to a 3-0 start. Junior running mate Corey Tripp handles most of the play-making responsibility, allowing Szumski to do what he's best at score. He is an elite shooter from distance who can also attack closeouts and get to the rim after ball fakes. Strong body. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/shammah-scott/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Shammah Scott</a> (2020) | 6-2 SG | Shaker Heights</strong></h6> <p>Shaker Heights is out-pacing their preseason expectations with a strong 3-0 start. Shammah Scott's early-season surge may be the biggest reason the Raiders look better than advertised, too. The unsigned 6-foot-2 go-to scorer appears significantly more athletic and, therefore, capable of finishing in traffic. Now with a respected at-the-rim game that forces defenders to retreat, his mid-range floaters and pull-ups figure to be even more open. Scott scored 26 in their season-opening win at Cleveland Heights, including the go-ahead floater with 17 seconds left. He also dropped 19 in a dominant win over Solon.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/brady-uhl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Brady Uhl</a> (2020) | 6-1 SG | Alter</strong></h6> <p>Uhl may not be a prototypical athlete at the 2-guard spot. He's kind of short. Kind of stocky. Doesn't play above the rim. But, heck, he's also one of the toughest, productive, and hard-nosed seniors in Ohio! He's the type of kid who energizes teammates! They opened the season with a loss to McNicholas but Uhl put up 28 points and five steals. The stat-line speaks to his energy level on the floor. He <em>constantly</em> runs full-speed on cuts and to go get loose balls. Uhl's energy and speed is an asset in a motion-style halfcourt offense. His physicality is a handful on defense, too, where he pressures hard. </p> <h6><strong>Evan Brunot (2020) | 6-4 SG | McNicholas</strong></h6> <p>Alright, I've never seen Evan Brunot play. I can't give you any analysis here. But he led McNicholas to a win over Alter with 24 points, 22 rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Alter, by the way, is who we would've picked as Dayton's best Division II team preseason.</p> <p>Unbelievable performance, Evan. We will come see you play before the end of the season. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/quentin-richardson-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Quentin Richardson</a> (2020) | 5-11 PG | Holy Name</strong></h6> <p>Richardson is one of our highest-rated unsigned senior guards in Ohio. The 5-foot-11 guard has met that expectation this season with a dominant 21 points and seven assists in their opener, then 31 points recently against NDCL. He's comfortable playing at full-speed, making impressive reads and passes while playing fast. Richardson is also a terrific shooter. Smart team defender with the disruptive quickness on help-side.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/edward-wright/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Edward Wright</a> (2020) | 6-0 PG | Elyria Catholic</strong></h6> <p>Wright is off to a roaring start, averaging 32.5 points and 12.5 rebounds per game for the 2-0 Panthers. The unsigned senior will enter a different stratosphere as a recruit if those numbers even come close to continuing. He's a strong-bodied kid who can absorb contact to score at the cup and rebound. The lead guard is also a capable shooter. Their schedule gets tough tonight with a home game versus Holy Name.</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>Staveskie has totaled 51 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists in two games as Sandusky has streaked past a few area opponents in Ashland and Vermillion. The creative, skilled lead guard has shot-making prowess off the dribble. Staveskie doesn't stop there, though, as he displays strong passing ability, too. He's an under-the-radar guard to keep tabs on if you need an offensive lift from the 2020 class. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ben-westrick/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ben Westrick</a> (2020) | 6-7 C | Ottawa-Glandorf</strong></h6> <p>Westrick and the Titans have dominated Van Buren and Liberty Center in their first two games as the unsigned senior proves to be a size nightmare for O-G. They recorded those wins in back-to-back nights this weekend with Westrick putting up a 23 and 10 double-double on Friday. He's a nimble big man with skill, rim-protection ability, and scholarship-level talent.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/luke-powell/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Luke Powell</a> (2020) | 6-3 SG | Barnesville</strong></h6> <p>Opening night of the high school season, West Liberty recruit Luke Powell put up 30 points to kick-off his senior season. He was just getting started. This past week the sharp-shooting guard from Southeast Ohio poured 46 points on River, then went for 44 against St. Clairsville on Friday. Powell's shooting ability and length make him an intriguing prospect for the next level. For now, though, he's going to rack up huge numbers for the Shamrocks all season long. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/terry-baldridge/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Terry Baldridge</a> (2020) | 6-8 SF | Willard</strong></h6> <p>Willard is a darkhorse Division III team in the Bowling Green region, led by a pair of seniors in Baldridge and Cooper Parrott. Baldridge has made the headlines in their quick 4-0 start, primarily with a 27-point outing against Upper Sandusky. He also recorded a 15 and 16 against Perkins. The tall wing shows athleticism off the floor and is a handful in transition. Good shooter at his size with intriguing ball skills. Unsigned. </p>