Mid State League- Buckeye Division Players To Watch

In the Mid-State League’s Ohio division, every team except one has hit the court and began to play already with the action being in full swing so far this season. They are some of the only teams playing with other teams in other league’s looking to join them soon. Last season’s division winners, Fairfield Union (19-3) has won their one and only game so far this season, just as last year’s third place finisher Logan Elm (16-7) has won the two games they have played so for in 2020-2021. The division’s runner up from 2019-2020, Bloom Carroll (16-7) have begun the season winning two of their three games and Liberty Union (8-15) also has two wins to go along with two losses so far this season. Teays Valley (8-15), Circleville (2-20), and Amanda-Clearcreek (13-10) all have one win on the season, with the latter two also racking up three losses and the former only one loss. Hamilton Township (10-14) is the only team in this division that has not played a game so far this season. With the majority of the team’s in the Ohio division finishing with a sub-.500 record, many outsiders would not believe that there are many players to watch but on the contrary; these young men can become impact players on the next level. [player_tooltip player_id="919012" first="Ryan" last="Magill"]- Senior; Fairfield Union: So far this season Magill is taking his final big step in his high school improvement, putting up 18 points in his team’s victory over Circleville. Magill knew he would be the go-to guy since he is the team’s leading returning scorer, putting up almost 10 points per game in 2019-2020. The 6-foot-4 Magill can score inside and out, with an awkward release from deep (sort of resembling LaMelo Ball) but it drops with frequency, he also can get to his spot in the mid-range, pull-up and drain buckets over defenders. His slicker than oil approach to offense allows him to play free on defense, causing ruckus and wreaking havoc on opposing offenses. Magill will have the offense at fingertips this season and with that comes bigger numbers and more eyes watching. [player_tooltip player_id="1078686" first="Camden" last="Primmer"]- Senior; Teays Valley: Primmer played in a team-high 14 total games last season and was the third leading scorer at 9.9 points per game which included a 32 point game as well. Being the leading returning scorer for the Vikings, Primmer has already upped his average to 13.5. Primmer is Ray Charles to closeouts on defense, to paraphrase the great Dewayne Michael Carter Jr, because he treats a hand up as if he does not see it. A quick release from Primmer gives way to an excellent jumper with a smooth stroke and amazing feet. Primmer can get hotter than fish grease from deep and will hope to keep up his sharp shooting so far and carry his team to more than eight victories. Gabe Chalfin- Senior; Logan Elm: The second-leading returning scorer, Chalfin averaged 14.3 points per game in 2019-2020 while playing in 17 total games and having a season-high of 22. Chalfin proved that he can put up big points when needed, and this season they will be needed in order to continue competing for the top spot in the Buckeye division. Unconscious from deep with no fear, Chalfin will shoot from any place on the court without thinking twice and can consistently hit shots from deep. Chalfin is also a good mover without the ball in his hand, cutting to the basket for easy layups. A tough player with a great season ahead of him. Isaac Ward- Senior; Logan Elm: Last season, Ward averaged close to 15 points per game which was second on his team and he is the leading returning scorer this year. With Ward pitching in his scoring punch, the Braves won 16 games, good for third in the division. So far in the 2020-2021 season, Ward has been cooking with a 21 point per game average that includes a 28-point outburst against Bloom Carroll. The lefty plays bigger than his 5-foot-10 frame suggests, getting into the lane and being able to finish through contact while also being able to step back and nail three point jump shots. Ward should be able to keep up this pace in some form, with his ability to score at any level and operate his offense. Jacob Berlekamp- Senior; Liberty Union: The Lion’s leading returning scorer from last season, Berlekamp averaged 13.2 points per game last season and is a hair above that so far this season with 13.8 points per game. This young man has a confident looking jumper, with a quick release and smooth follow through. The 6-foot-4 guard is slithery while getting to the rim, gliding around defenders on his way there. On defense, Berlekamp can pressure the ball and get his hands in the passing lane to cause chaos. With the entire team under his control, Berlekamp will be a player to watch and see if he can get this team to more than 8 wins. Kalib Riddle- Junior; Liberty Union: There’s no riddle as to why Riddle is good at basketball, this young man’s improvement over the summer was no joke. Last season, Riddle averaged just under six points per game and now he is close to doubling that with 11.2 points per outing for the junior. Riddle’s activeness keeps him an active option at any time, moving without the ball well and being a dependable shooter. Riddle also uses his wide and strong base to carve out space in the paint for rebounds, he is also strong enough to get his shot back off after the rebound. Riddle’s improvement will only get noticed more as the season wears on, a small school would be wise to get in on him sooner rather than later. CJ Holt- Senior; Hamilton Township: On a team that lost somewhere around six seniors, Holt has to step up to carry this team and compete while trying to up their 10 win total from 2019-2020. Holt is Hamilton Township’s leading returning scorer, putting up 6.4 points per game last year in 17 games with a season-high of 17. Holt is 6-foot and a playmaker with the ability to get in the lane and finish amongst the trees with some fancy layups. He can control the offensive pace for the Rangers and get them into the correct sets and defensively, Holt can pressure the ball handler and force them into turnovers. Holt will be asked to do more heavy lifting this season, something that is worth watching. [player_tooltip player_id="805219" first="Riley" last="Gibson"]- Senior; Circleville: Leading the Tigers in scoring last year with 16 points per game, Gibson looks to have the same individual success while increasing his team’s win total from 2 in 2019-2020. The 6-foot Gibson attacks the basket like an overweight man attacks a buffet, constantly getting into the paint and finishing with tough baskets over players taller than him. With a solid handle on the basketball, Gibson is also good at getting his teammates involved as he looks to get to the hoop, showing good vision and a passing gift. On defense, Gibson is scrappy and competes at a high level, he shows the grit that only comes from hating to lose. Gibson is an underrated prospect that fans, coaches and scouts should watch in 2020, he has not been on the court yet due to injury. Evan Dozer- Junior; Bloom Carroll: As a sophomore, Dozer put up 11.3 points per game which included a season-high of 20 in a team-high 17 games. So far this season, Dozer is second on his team in scoring, once again averaging over 10 points per game, including a 17-point game against at home in a victory over Licking Heights. The lanky junior guard can do-it-all on the offensive end of the court, being able to score on all three levels. When his feet are set he is a pure knockdown shooter, he can also create for himself off the dribble to hit mid-range jumpers and he also finishes at the rim with grace. On defense, Dozer can move his feet and stay in front of ball handlers and use his long arms to get steals. Dozer is an interesting prospect in the loaded class of 2022 for any school looking for an elite shooter that can fit in any offense. Lane Stevens- Senior; Amanda-Clearcreek: After a 13-10 season in 2019-2020, Amanda-Clearcreek does not return many starters so this young man will be beginning on offense in 2020-2021. Stevens only played in four games so hopefully he gained valuable experience in those games that will propel him to help this team. Stevens is also an outside linebacker and tight end on the football team, and he brings that attitude to the basketball court, being tougher than most players. The 5-foot-10 guard on the hardwood uses his wide body to move people out of his way when driving the ball and can also hit jumpers when needed. He is more explosive than a person would think and can grab rebounds at a high rate, along with the power to go back up and finish through contact.   *All statistics provided by 270Hoops.com*