Top 5 Columbus City League Duo’s
Drew Lavender and Jamelle Cornley, Antonio Bumpus and Vinny Coleman, Trey Burke and Jared Sullinger, those are just some of the most powerful duo’s to ever step foot on a Columbus City League basketball court. Dynamic duo’s are nothing new…
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Continue ReadingDrew Lavender and Jamelle Cornley, Antonio Bumpus and Vinny Coleman, Trey Burke and Jared Sullinger, those are just some of the most powerful duo’s to ever step foot on a Columbus City League basketball court. Dynamic duo’s are nothing new to basketball in general and this season both the Columbus City League north and south divisions have duo’s that will provide for exciting and competitive games. This list is in order and duo’s are based on who the top 2 players of the teams are going into the 2020-2021 basketball season.
5. Aaron Lawson/Antony Lowery- Eastmoor: Bias? Maybe. Incorrect? Won’t admit it. But, could this junior/sophomore union fuse together and create an explosive guard combination? Absolutely. These two got an ample amount of playing time on a senior-lead team last season, they always made the most of it. The 5-foot-11 Lawson and the 6-foot Lowery made timely plays in big games, showed poise throughout the year and shined in little ways during playoff games. Both players are first class defenders, Lawson with his long arms being able to guard different positions and Lowery with his toughness and strength. The Warriors have a long history of good guard play, these young men look to keep that tradition alive.
4. Jaylen Gilbert/Tyreek Gunnell- Centennial: Gilbert put this school on his back last basketball season and in eight games, Gunnell was the most consistent player the Stars had. These two seniors are on this list because of the explosive scoring potential they could have while on the court together. Gunnell averaged close to 10 points per game while Gilbert averaged 16, proving they can be dynomite while playing alongside each other. Gunnell had stretches where he was the best player on the team despite his 5-foot-8 frame, scoring in double digits 11 times this past season. If they can consistently play together, this could be an amazing guard combination.
3. Shamarion Rogers/ LA Walker LA Walker 6'5" | SF Linden-McKinley | 2022 State OH – Linden McKinley: Before the injury Walker suffered, these two were on their way to being considered as the best tandem in the Columbus City League. The senior Rogers helped carry the Panther’s in Walker’s absence. Hopefully they can play an entire season together and show this city how they can complement each other. The Columbus City League runner-ups are looking to go back to the championship game and win it this season, even as the amazing Chance Groce Chance Groce 6'5" | SF Linden McKinley | 2021 State OH leaves, with Rogers and Walker healthy, they have a chance to do it.
2. Dan Wagner Dan Wagner 6'0" | CG Columbus Africentric Early College | 2022 State OH / Dailyn Swain Dailyn Swain 6'7" | SF Africentric | 2023 State #81 Nation OH – Africentric: This is a duo with experience and youth blending together. Wagner is what the young kids call a “walking bucket,” scoring at ease from anywhere on the court. Swain is the young, athletic rising star in Columbus who can leap out of the gym, as only a sophomore, but he can also shoot from distance with accuracy. It would’ve been easy to put Eli Burke Eli Burke 6'1" | PG Africentric | 2021 State OH into this discussion for this team, but I am saving him for a different list. Wagner and Swain can create a guard-wing combination that can propel the Nubians into immediate city and state title contention.
1. JJ Simmons JJ Simmons 5'10" | PG Beechcroft | 2022 State OH / Amani Lyles Amani Lyles 6'7" | C Beechcroft | 2022 State OH – Beechcroft: Any list of dynamic duo’s begins and ends with these two young men. They have been playing together since middle school and as the great Loaded Lux and Hollow Da Don once told Chess and Tay Roc, “don’t ever mention chemistry to a scientist.” The two junior ballers can close their eyes and still know where to pass the ball to the other. JJ is a guard who is strong and effectively has no weakness on offense while Amani is a beast in the paint and finally developing his mid-range jumper. Beechcroft will go as far as these two will take them and if that season is any indication then they will have another deep playoff run.