The Jared Sullinger Classic Report

<p>Individually, <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jalen-sullinger/">Jalen Sullinger</a>'s 34-point outburst was the story of the Jared Sullinger Classic. From a team perspective, though, a storyline continued: Division I is <em>wide-open</em> in Central Ohio. </p> <p>For three quarters, Walnut Ridge looked like Columbus's best team. Then. Pickerington Central found their mojo and pulled off the upset. The Tigers are figuring things out at the right time and could make another trip to the State Tournament. Or it could be the team they defeated Saturday! Or South. Or Gahanna, Or Bradley. Or Pickerington North. Or someone else!</p> <p>Anyways, let's get back to the players...</p> <h4 style="text-align: center"><em>THE STARTING FIVE</em><br /> <em><span style="font-size: 10pt">Best performance at each position</span></em></h4> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jalen-sullinger/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jalen-sullinger/">Jalen Sullinger</a></a> (2021) | 5-10 PG | Thomas Worthington</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 34 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists</em></strong></h6> <p>Sullinger may be the best pure scorer in Ohio. He put on a show at the event, out-scoring Northland by himself through the first 27 minutes of the game before checking out with 4:45 remaining. Sullinger's ability to create separation and shoot the step-back jumper is elite. He made that signature shot from the mid-and long-range. Delivered an advanced no-look kick-out pass in the first half. Often shoots a pure swish.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tahleik-walker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tahleik-walker/">Tahleik Walker</a></a> (2020) | 6-2 SG | Pickerington Central </strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 19 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists</em></strong></h6> <p>This game flipped when Walker took ownership of the contest. He took playmaking matters into his own hands, creating high-percentage shots and using his athleticism to convert tough layups coming across the lane. The unsigned senior also displayed his elite athleticism by limiting <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/qian-magwood/">Qian Magwood</a> in the half-court, making Walnut Ridge's offense feel stagnant and non-threatening outside of low-post touches. </p> <p>Walker's skill development is noteworthy. He is showing a more advanced feel this season. Saturday, he made several impressive drop-down passes and shot the jumper confidently. Dangerous when he pushes coast-to-coast off the defensive glass. He's very fast and his secure hands impress on the glass. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/voncameron-davis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/voncameron-davis/">VonCameron Davis</a></a> (2020) | 6-5 SF | Walnut Ridge</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 22 points, 16 rebounds</em></strong></h6> <p>Davis nearly had a double-double in the first quarter alone! He was able to bulldoze opponents in the paint, proving impossible to keep away from the rim. His quick second jump resulted in a ton of offensive rebounds. Davis is both patient and powerful inside. Being unbothered by contact, many of Davis's attempts result in a shooting foul.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/royal-sibley/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/royal-sibley/">Royal Sibley</a></a> (2021) | 6-6 PF | Whitehall</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 10 points, 6 rebounds</em></strong></h6> <p>Sibley's development as an athlete is very impressive. He has become notably more fluid and explosive off the floor. He athletically grabbed rebounds in traffic and proved capable of defending in space. Skill-wise, Sibley can put it on the floor and score from the perimeter. Dropped down a nice assist on a straight-line-drive. Powerful gathers inside. Credible shooter. High hips and a lean build. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/elhadji-thiam/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/elhadji-thiam/">Elhadji Thiam</a></a> (2021) | 6-6 PF/C | Pickerington Central</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 10 points, 5 rebounds</em></strong></h6> <p>Thiam was dynamic when he faced up. Seeing over the defense, he made witty interior passes. Thiam also has a knack for hitting tough short-range shots whether it's a jumper, spinning into a runner, or something even more unorthodox. Defensively, he defended in space <em>and </em>provided lengthy rim protection. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4 style="text-align: center"><em>STANDOUTS</em></h4> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jack-santa-emma/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jack-santa-emma/">Jack Santa Emma</a></a> (2020) | 5-11 PG | Alder</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 16 points, 3 assists</em></strong></h6> <p>Santa Emma is an unsigned point guard who plays with terrific body control and balance. Commanded the game from start to finish. He aspires to be a basketball coach and displayed a high-level IQ. Saturday, he made great finds once he was deep into the paint, but also finishes through contact. He knows how to use his body when he handles, sets screens, defends, and looks to score inside. Quick first step and changes speed. Santa Emma is also an alert defender who talks and stays in proper position. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ajay-sheldon/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ajay-sheldon/">Ajay Sheldon</a></a> (2022) | 5-11 PG | Coffman</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 8 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists</em></strong></h6> <p>Elite 3-point shooter who displayed a creative handle in breaking down defenders. Sheldon was able to pull help-side into the paint before kicking it out to open shooters. Impressive feel for the court. His toughness also stands out when he competes for rebounds and attacks the basket.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/keaton-turner/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/keaton-turner/">Keaton Turner</a></a> (2020) | 6-0 PG | Coffman</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 14 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists</em></strong></h6> <p>One of the state's best unsigned point guards. Turner consistently got to the rim by using his quickness and elusive handle. In the paint, he is improving as a passer and utilizes the euro step to perfection. Knockdown shooter from distance. Unselfish performance.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/gavin-headings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/gavin-headings/">Gavin Headings</a></a> (2023) | 6-5 SF | Coffman</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 7 points, 3 rebounds</em></strong></h6> <p>Headings can already score the ball from inside and out. He can step outside to catch-and-shoot 3-pointers. His toughness and willingness to stick his nose into a congested paint is a great trait, too, that will become more apparent as the freshman naturally develops strength. At times, he blocks shots with length and pulls down a rebound in traffic. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nash-hostetler/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nash-hostetler/">Nash Hostetler</a></a> (2021) | 6-3 SG | Coffman</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 18 points, 9 rebounds</em></strong></h6> <p>Hostetler is a strongly-built, physical guard that can spread the floor as a shooter. He connected on five 3-pointers in this game and showed patience on a tough finish. Excellent rebounder from the guard spot. Plays tough defense and guards multiple positions.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dailyn-swain/">Dailyn Swain</a> (2023) | 6-4 SG | Africentric</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 7 points</em></strong></h6> <p>Swain has become more assertive as a ball-handler. He showed flashes of becoming an elusive, playmaking 6-foot-4 guard as he made several impressive passes with a live dribble. As he becomes a more willing scorer off the dribble and adds size to his long frame, Swain will be even more dynamic. Scored a few smooth buckets in the paint during the second half. Uses long strides to get to the rim. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/bobby-crenshaw/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/bobby-crenshaw/">Bobby Crenshaw</a></a> (2020) | 6-2 SG | Newark</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 12 points, 7 rebounds</em></strong></h6> <p>Crenshaw is an available senior with <em>elite </em>athleticism. He explodes off the floor and has blow-by speed driving hard right. Standing just 6-foot-2, Crenshaw was the leading rebounder, soaring for most of those in traffic. Improving skill-set as he displayed the jumper and ball creativity on finishes. Defense is where he makes his biggest impact, though. We already talked about the rebounding. He can also sit down and contain quick ball-handlers. Active in passing lanes and can close on the ball instantaneously.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/isaiah-ingle/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/isaiah-ingle/">Isaiah Ingle</a></a> (2020) | 6-8 C | Northland</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 6 points, 4 rebounds</em></strong></h6> <p>Ingle is a very intriguing unsigned senior center. He has obvious size and has filled out in a promising way since last year. Saturday, he changed shots near the rim without fouling. Long. High hips. Flashed a good touch over the shoulder. Becoming more active would be a game-changer, as he too often remains stationary on the floor.</p> <h6><strong>Eldon Boateng (2020) | 6-1 C | Northland</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 17 points, 9 rebounds</em></strong></h6> <p>Boateng was the only Viking able to consistently get a good shot up. They were missing <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/robert-dorsey/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/robert-dorsey/">Robert Dorsey</a></a> and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/makhale-massey/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/makhale-massey/">Makhale Massey</a></a> due to injury. Subsequently, their offense ran through Boateng on many possessions. He scored on powerful post moves where he buried opponents under the rim. Despite not finishing at a super-efficient clip, he followed up many misses with an offensive rebound. Talked on defense.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/matt-allocco/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/matt-allocco/">Matt Allocco</a></a> (2020) | 6-4 PG | Bradley</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 14 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists</em></strong></h6> <p>Allocco's nine fourth-quarter points — including a go-ahead transition 3-pointer with five minutes remaining — may have keyed Bradley's win, but this game was more about his defense on 6-foot-6 wing <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trey-woodyard/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trey-woodyard/">Trey Woodyard</a></a>. Allocco allowed very little breathing space for Woodyard, who was in single-digits until the final two minutes. The Princeton recruit stayed attached on and off the ball. His ability to match size with a wing as the point guard is part of the appeal as a prospect. Allocco also delivered passes with good timing. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4 style="text-align: center"><em>NEW NAMES</em><br /> <span style="font-size: 10pt"><em>These kids also stood-out, they're just new on our radar.</em></span></h4> <h6><strong>Henry Walker (2020) | 6-5 PF | Alder</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 17 points, 10 rebounds</em></strong></h6> <p>Walker, an active and versatile forward, was very productive in the paint. Scored all of his field goals near the basket, often flashing off a block-to-block screen. He's not a shot-blocker but defends the rim by taking charges and being in position. Walker's defensive versatility is our favorite part of his game. He competes inside and provides rebounding. But he is also quick enough to stay in front of wings, forcing them to shoot over length.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jabari-mitchell/">Jabari Mitchell</a> (2023) | 6-2 SF | Reynoldsburg</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 6 points</em></strong></h6> <p>Mitchell scored six points and may not have even played six minutes. He doesn't look like a freshman in that he's physically developed and strong. Finished tough baskets in the paint. Plus athlete. </p> <h6><strong>Ernest Johnson (2021) | 6-7 C | Africentric</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 5 rebounds</em></strong></h6> <p>Johnson was more active on the glass than when we saw him at The Challenge. With his 6-foot-7 height and room to develop athletically, even glimpses of good play are meaningful for his recruitment going forward. </p> <h6><strong>Elijah Hinton (2021) | 6-6 C | Newark</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 2 points, 2 rebounds</em></strong></h6> <p>Hinton impressed in limited playing time because of his physical tools and effort. Long, raw frame. He <em>sprints</em> the floor with a smooth stride and competes for rebounds. Brings instant energy off the bench.</p>