Licking County League Most Impressive Players So Far

This is usually the “Players To Watch” article, but since this league is in full swing so far this season, this article will be used to let readers’ know which players have already been impressive during the 2020-2021 season thus far. In the 11-team league, two teams have already separated themselves as the top dogs of the bunch. Johnstown (5-1) has raced out to the lead in the Licking County League, followed right behind by Newark Catholic (4-2) who look to track down the Johnnies and take the lead before too long. Watkins Memorial (2-2) and Zanesville (2-2) are at .500 to start the year, along with Heath (1-1), all who are looking to throw a monkey wrench in any plan that any team has of winning this league. Licking Heights (3-4) have played the most games in the league, seven, have the third-most wins so far this season and all three wins have been against division foes. Granville (2-4) and Utica (2-4) both have the same amount of wins, although Utica has put themselves behind the proverbial 8-ball with no league wins yet. Northridge (1-3) is only one victory ahead of Licking Valley (0-3) and Lakewood (0-5), with all three team’s bringing up the rear in the Licking County League so far in the 2020-2021 basketball season. These young men are the ones that have impressed the most at the start of this year. Javion Miller- Senior; Licking Heights: The leading scorer so far through his team’s first seven games, averaging over 22 points per game. Miller is a bonafide bucket, he has not scored less than 17 points in any game this season which includes a 28-point outburst on the road against Licking Valley. Miller is an excellent shooter than lull’s defenders into thinking he’s just a shooter so he can show them the entire repertoire. He can get into the lane and create shots for himself or his mid-range can devastate defenders. The 6-foot-1 Miller is a ball of energy on defense, taking charges and accumulating steals to trigger fast breaks for his team. Miller is a young man that can score at will and can add a great scoring punch to any college program immediately. [player_tooltip player_id="918998" first="Gavin" last="Foe"]- Senior; Johnstown: Possibly the best overall prospect in the Licking County League, Foe is an all-around baller that can do a little bit of everything at a high level. Foe is putting up just under 21 points per game and gets it done by paying rent to the paint because he lives at the rim. The swing guard is underratedly athletic, with nice jumping ability and an explosive first step. Foe is an amazing finisher at the rim, being able to finish with either hand while showing great body control in the air and the capability to absorb contact from defenders. Gavin is smoother than a ‘foe-fa-’foe with a vanilla frosty from Wendy’s and his senior year is the perfect time to prove it to colleges around the state. Seth Cooper- Junior; Utica: In the first two games of 2020-2021, the junior ball player has scored 17 and 26 points, an average of 21.5 points per game. The 6-foot-2 Cooper is built like a mini-truck, solid, muscular and relentless on the glass. Cooper displays good basketball instincts when rebounding, timing his jump nicely and using his long arms to grab the ball and get put-back baskets. He excels in transition, racing past defenders for easy layups and he fills the lane to help teammates get him the ball for easy baskets. This junior can really ball! Cole Canter- Junior; Newark Catholic: The second place Newark Catholic has an absolute scoring machine leading the way for them. Canter is knocking in upwards of 18 points per game and has scored a season-high of 30 in a heartbreaking loss to Amanda-Clearcreek. Even though he doubles as the Green Wave quarterback, Canter is better in basketball without the ball in his hand, he cuts all over the court and sprints to the rim consistently to get easy layups. Canter also is an excellent passer with good feel and leads his teammates with passes that get them easy baskets as well. On defense, Canter is good at putting pressure on the basketball and forcing turnovers from ball handlers. This junior can flat out get buckets, even though it is in many unconventional ways and he is a young man that, with more seasoning, can become a consistent scorer at the next level as well. Reece Huber- Junior; Heath: This young man has been the model of consistency in the two games for the Bulldogs, scoring 18 points in both games this season and doing so in a myriad of ways. Huber has a solid handle that gets him around defenders and in the lane where he uses his athleticism to fly by and finish at the rim. The 6-foot-3 wide receiver and cornerback uses those quick feet and the tight handle he has to get away from defenders in transition. In the half court, Huber moves without the ball very well and finds the openings where he can score the ball at. This young man can also shoot the ball with regularity, showing a nice stroke, and when he sets his feet, a confident jumper. Huber can hand with the best in the league and has a chance to continue it throughout this season. Dillian Stewart- Junior; Licking Valley: Leading the Panthers in scoring so far this season, Stewart is averaging 17 points per game and has had a season-high of 27. Stewart can score inside and out on offense, with good athleticism in the paint and a nice jump shot from the perimeter. In transition, he is really good and can finish at the rim with either hand. Stewart is also an amazing shooter, both off the dribble and spot up shooter. His quick release and high arc make sure that the 6-foot-1 guard’s shot does not get blocked. Despite his team’s 0-3 record, Stewart is putting up numbers that should get him some shine in the eyes of college scouts and coaches. Xavier Riley- Sophomore; Zanesville: No Boondocks, but this Riley plays like a free man (don’t stop reading) on offense and shows that he is the true definition of a shooting guard. Riley is a pure scorer and can put the ball in the basket from all over the court. In his team’s games, Riley is putting up close to 17 points each game and has a season-high of 24. As a sophomore, he is already the go-to guy for the Blue Devils, he gets the ball and is allowed to do what he wants with it. Riley is a great shooter, with the ability to shoot over defenders off the dribble and can spot up and shoot just as well. This young man will be a force in this league for at least two more seasons and has a chance to be the next great guard to come out of the Licking County League.   *All statistics provided by 270Hoops.com