Central Ohio Week 4 Top Performers

As the majority of schools have hit the hardwood (sorry, Columbus City Schools, I feel bad for you) the performances have gotten better and more diverse as well. This week was the first week for some players and they put on shows that will last in their memories for the entire season, including one young man who set a school record this week and another who set a personal best for himself as well. Juniors and seniors dominated the top performances this week, something that may become a more normal thing as this season progresses. From December 14- December 20 these young men put on for their school and their families a week before the holidays. [player_tooltip player_id="918998" first="Gavin" last="Foe"]- Senior; Johnstown: Freshly committed to NAIA Marian, Foe went out on December 15th and showed why he is one of the best players in the area, putting up 27 points and eight rebounds in his team’s 53-50 victory over Heath. Foe was the main reason Heath lost their first league game since 2019, with his ability to get to the rim and consistently finish over defenders. The senior was great on defense as well, blocking numerous shots and keeping Heath at bay for the entirety of the fourth quarter, holding them without a basket for the first three minutes of the most important quarter. Foe’s dominance should not come as a shock, he will continue this throughout the season. [player_tooltip player_id="919012" first="Ryan" last="Magill"]- Senior; Fairfield Union: The Marietta commit was tremendous in his team’s 54-39 blowout win over Circleville on December 15th, dropping a game-high 18 points to go along with four rebounds. Magill played all game, controlling the pace of the action and putting his jump shot on display. The 6-foot-4 guard made plays for himself off the dribble as well, getting to the cup and knocking down free throws when he got to the charity stripe. Magill also made plays for his teammates with a number of nice passes that showed off the vision this young man has. This team runs through Magill on defense as well, with his ability to get out on the perimeter and compete at a high level. [player_tooltip player_id="805170" first="Jackson" last="Izzard"]- Senior; Jonathan Alder: This young man had him a night! December15th, Izzard poured in 25 points and did it with effortless scoring from all over the court. Izzard took over in the third quarter, scoring 13 of his 25 in that frame and taking over the game in the second half on defense as well. He also rebounded very well for a guard, controlling the glass as best he could and starting fast breaks on his own because of it. Izzard has a nice frame that helped him absorb contact all night, staying at the free throw line in the second half. Add in a couple of three point jumpers that showed his range and Izzard displayed that he is a player that should be considered by more schools than he is now. Will Lucas- Senior; Grove City Christian: There are not many better feelings than winning a high school game while setting a school-record, unfortunately for Lucas his school-record came in a 49-76 loss to Berne Union. Lucas nailed eight three-point baskets and scored almost half his team’s total output with 24. Lucas got hot early and did not stop, despite the deficit his team faced. Lucas may not have gotten the win for his team but settled for the school-record. [player_tooltip player_id="918975" first="Keaton" last="Norris"]- Senior; Hilliard Bradley: The 5-foot-11 Norris is a part of one the best shooting backcourts, not only in the area but in the state as a whole. He showed up on December 18th with a 27-point performance, including a number of impressive jumpers right in the face of defenders. After averaging upwards of 11 points last season, the first game of his senior year seemed to suggest that 11 points may be his low for this season. Norris’ quick release and crafty handle allow him to score with ease and in abundance. A senior guard that needs to be on radars, much like this next young man (who happens to be his teammate). [player_tooltip player_id="918970" first="AJ" last="Mirgon"]- Senior; Hilliard Bradley: Only being overshadowed by his teammate, Mirgon had a game that most high schoolers would love to have by scoring 22 points in the 70-53 victory over Olentangy Liberty. Migron got rolling late in the half and never looked back, nailing deep three’s and getting to the rim to finish with either hand. His defense was outstanding as well, pressuring the basketball and forcing the opposing guards into mistakes. Mirgon displayed his vision with a couple nice passes to his back court mate, [player_tooltip player_id="918975" first="Keaton" last="Norris"]. Not flashy by any means but Mirgon is a kid who simply wins games and competes in the process. [player_tooltip player_id="805175" first="Casey" last="George"]- Senior; Pickerington North: Right out of the gate with a 30-piece, all sauce, George impressed in the Panther’s opening game 65-44 blowout win over Grove City. George scored on all three levels of the court, loosening up the defense with his shooting then he was able to get inside the arch and nail mid-range shots and he also got to the hoop and finished around the rim with some nifty layups. He played well without the ball too, cutting around the court and consistently getting open all afternoon. [player_tooltip player_id="918955" first="Tyrese" last="Hughey"]- Junior; Thomas Worthington: In his team’s second game of the week, Hughey showed up big and scored 20 points in Thomas Worthington’s 61-46 win over Dublin Jerome. Hughey stayed out of foul trouble and punished the Celtics while showing off his entire package. He dominated the mid-range on offense and controlled the paint with his rim protection of defense. Hughey hit multiple jump shots that got them out to a big lead and his team never looked back. [player_tooltip player_id="1041445" first="Ian" last="Schupp"]- Senior; Worthington Kilbourne: He came out hot, got his team a big lead and then took a lead to watch his Worthington Kilbourne finish the game and come out with a 57-30 win over Delaware Hayes. Schupp scored 15 easy points, with 11 in the first quarter, then played on cruise control the rest of the evening. Delaware Hayes played a zone and Schupp was able to get inside of it and wreck havoc with his passing and scoring, getting his teammates open shots. Schupp also exhibited his athleticism with an open court dunk, showing that he can leap as well. [player_tooltip player_id="848282" first="Jayden" last="Nervis"]- Junior; Hilliard Davidson: Full of fast-twitch muscle fiber, the athleticism this young man displays just leaps onto your eyes. Nervis plays with such frenetic energy that it is impossible to keep up with him, active on the offensive glass and can defend his tail off. On December 18th, he scored 16 points that included 12 in the second half, Nervis was the best player on the court. He could not be kept from the rim and showed off what happens when controlled rage meets skill. [player_tooltip player_id="805137" first="Jalen" last="Sullinger"]- Senior; Thomas Worthington: In the first game of their season, Sullinger showed why Kent St. is so eager to have him, controlling the game and defining what a point guard should be in his team’s 60-52 over a game Marysville team. The kid with Columbus’ most basketball famous last name had 23 points and really carried his team to this win. Sullinger hit a number of deep three point jump shots early and then got into the lane for seemingly the rest of the night. He had a handful of rebounds and also a big block on a 6-foot-7 forward that had people buzzing. Sullinger started his campaign for player of the year in a big way. [player_tooltip player_id="805216" first="Jack" last="Christian"]- Senior; Marysville: A competitor of the highest order, Christian was the sole reason that his Monarch’s were even able to stay close to Thomas Worthington in the 52-60 loss for Marysville. Christian is one of the best shooters you’ll see, with a quick release and high arch so defenders have a tough time blocking his shot. He dropped 19 total points and added five more assists before fouling out and ending all hope for his team. Christian is another young man who is a bonafide stud that the team’s undervalue because of his height. [player_tooltip player_id="616810" first="Sean" last="Jones"]- Junior; Gahanna Lincoln: Missing practice all week because of an ankle sprain, the best player in Central Ohio hit the court and reminded everyone of why he is unanimously considered the best point guard prospect from this area since Trey Burke. Reminding this writer more of Burke’s mentor Ronald Steward, Jones got to the rim with ease and hit a couple of pull up jump shots that were pure. He also nailed a few three’s from deep and ran his offensive flawlessly. Jones did not let a bad anke hamper him from getting the job done, just as a true competitor would do. [player_tooltip player_id="921759" first="Javan" last="Simmons"]- Junior; Gahanna Lincoln: Ending his week with an offer from the University of Toledo, Simmons impressed in the Lions’ first game which was a 63-45 victory over Toledo Central Catholic. Simmons scored 15 tough points and manned the paint for Gahanna. Simmons had added three-point range to the arsenal of post moves he already has, making him a threat every time down the floor. Simmons followed up this performance with a six point game in a 73-20 win at Westland where he set the tone defensively and did not have to do much on offense. [player_tooltip player_id="918974" first="Darius" last="Parham"]- Senior; Bishop Ready: In what may have been the best game of the week, Bishop Ready defeated the Stallions 48-46 and were carried by Parham who scored 26 points. The 6-foot-3 guard was a beast, showing off his athleticism in the open court with some nice finishes. He scored at every level and proved that he will be a force this year. Parham demonstrated his quickness on defense by staying in front of Desales best player and making him work for all of his points. Des Watson- Senior; Desales: The Davidson commit had a tough game shooting early but as the game settled in, so did Watson who still finished with 22 points. Watson got his teammates involved once he realized he did not have his jumper going, delivering some pretty passes right on the money for open baskets. Watson began to make plays for himself to keep his team in the game before eventually falling to Bishop Ready. Great players find ways to shake off bad starts, Watson showed that he is a great player.