Prospects to watch at All Ohio Hoops Showcase: Pickerington North

<p>The schedule for the All Ohio Hoops Showcase was released on Thursday evening. In this article we’ll be looking at what prospects you need to be keeping an eye in at the Pickerington North version of the showcase.</p> <p>Columbus South V London 10:00 AM</p> <p>This game would’ve been much more interesting last year, as Columbus South lost a large senior class and London lost [player_tooltip player_id="593922" first="Trey" last="Woodyard"] and [player_tooltip player_id="918977" first="Jainaz" last="Cameron"] to transfer. Maurice Barnes is the highest returning scorer for the Bulldogs. For the Red Raiders, Ethan Minner and Jayden Hawkins-White will be the major returning pieces from a team that’s had a lot of success recently.</p> <p>Groveport-Madison V Northland 12:00 PM</p> <p>For Gorveport-Madison, leading scorer Scotty Lomax is back for his senior year and will have an even bigger offensive role after Groveport-Madison graduated their other top guard scorers from last season. For Northland, [player_tooltip player_id="809608" first="Robert" last="Dorsey"] and [player_tooltip player_id="919015" first="Makhale" last="Massey"] are key returning pieces who have each generated some buzz for themselves the past couple seasons. This would be the year for Northland to take the leap with this core as Massey is a senior this season.</p> <p>Olentangy Liberty V Whitehall 2:00 PM</p> [caption id="attachment_954685" align="alignright" width="310"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/03/Cooper-Davis.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-954685" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/03/Cooper-Davis-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="310" height="175" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="717039" first="Cooper" last="Davis"] is now at Olentangy Liberty and joining a solid senior core.[/caption] <p>This game should be pretty interesting, Olentangy Liberty returns a nice core of [player_tooltip player_id="918986" first="Henry" last="Hinkle"], [player_tooltip player_id="1041814" first="Andrew" last="Wade"] and Ty Foster. Add in Reynoldsburg transfer [player_tooltip player_id="717039" first="Cooper" last="Davis"] and I expect Olentangy Liberty to be one of the top teams in central Ohio this season. Whitehall had a lot of Juniors get playing time last season, including [player_tooltip player_id="919026" first="Royal" last="Sibley"] at the post. The match-up between Sibley and Wade should be one to watch for each player.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Thomas Worthington V Lutheran East 4:00 PM</p> <p>The last three games of the day are absolutely loaded with talent. Thomas Worthington has a senior duo committed division I in [player_tooltip player_id="805137" first="Jalen" last="Sullinger"] and [player_tooltip player_id="918955" first="Tyrese" last="Hughey"]. Other notable seniors for Thomas Worthington include [player_tooltip player_id="918976" first="Isaac" last="Settles"], [player_tooltip player_id="919038" first="Omari" last="Effiong"] and [player_tooltip player_id="805211" first="Maurice" last="Collins"]. This season I’m expecting some more from their talented 2023 duo of [player_tooltip player_id="922607" first="Joey" last="Zalewski"] and Caleb Miller. For Lutheran East, their senior class is loaded. With Georgetown commit [player_tooltip player_id="552857" first="Jalin" last="Billingsley"] leading the charge, the Falcons have a ton of talent. Senior uncommitted guards [player_tooltip player_id="918983" first="Sirr" last="Hughes"] and [player_tooltip player_id="918991" first="Collin" last="Albert"] are both scholarship worthy, while [player_tooltip player_id="919043" first="Jalen" last="Knott"] is a sleeper wing prospect. [player_tooltip player_id="1078606" first="Jared" last="Lary"] is a move in from Michigan who adds even more depth for the Falcons.</p> <p>Gahanna Lincoln V Canton McKinley 6:00 PM</p> [caption id="attachment_1014012" align="alignleft" width="234"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Brenton-Walker.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1014012" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Brenton-Walker-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="234" height="175" /></a> Brent Walker and Canton McKinley will be a team to watch this season.[/caption] <p>A huge guard match-up between [player_tooltip player_id="616810" first="Sean" last="Jones"] and [player_tooltip player_id="726589" first="Kobe" last="Johnson"] is one of the best individual match-ups of the season. Both players have high major interest and are some of the top talents in the state. Both teams also have multiple bigs that will be going at it all evening. [player_tooltip player_id="919037" first="Maceo" last="Williams"] and [player_tooltip player_id="921759" first="Javan" last="Simmons"] are key pieces for Gahanna, while [player_tooltip player_id="805131" first="Brenton" last="Walker"] and [player_tooltip player_id="714500" first="Vernon" last="Smith"] will be commanding the paint for the Bulldogs. Throw in [player_tooltip player_id="918985" first="Jarius" last="Jones"] and [player_tooltip player_id="918990" first="Tae" last="Perie"] and this game has a ton of 2021 and 2022 talent that’s still uncommitted. Both of these teams are projected as state-championship contenders which should be a great penultimate game.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Richmond Heights @ Pickerington North 8:00 PM</p> [caption id="attachment_954665" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/03/Jerry-Saunders-2-e1596341972710.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-954665" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/03/Jerry-Saunders-2-e1596341972710-300x246.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="246" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="921757" first="Jerry" last="Saunders"] is ready to take a leadership role for Pickerington North this season.[/caption] <p>The nightcap features the host Pickerington North Panthers against D IV favorite Richmond Heights. Pickerington North features a dynamic Sophomore guard duo of [player_tooltip player_id="921757" first="Jerry" last="Saunders"] and [player_tooltip player_id="921791" first="Dior" last="Conners"]. Combine that with senior floor general [player_tooltip player_id="805175" first="Casey" last="George"] and the Panthers have a lot of talent in their back-court. Elijah Hawk will provide nice muscle in the interior as Richmond Heights can really push the tempo. For the fast paced Spartans, they are led by Junior stud [player_tooltip player_id="809590" first="Josiah" last="Harris"]. Harris is one of the top prospects in the state for his class and is oozing with potential. [player_tooltip player_id="805186" first="Jamarr" last="Talbert"] has played a secondary role last season, but is now the featured guard. Add in Rhodes transfer [player_tooltip player_id="918965" first="Amarion" last="Dickerson"] and Pennsylvania transfer [player_tooltip player_id="1082235" first="Priest" last="Ryan"] and the Spartans have a bunch of high flyers. If Pickerington North can control the tempo and keep the game played in the half-court, they will be tough to beat with their experiences. But if the Spartans can make this game go up and down the court, they will likely find a lot of success.</p>