Columbus City League Players To Watch Pt. 1

Finally, after rallies, heated conversations and support from the city, the Columbus City League has brought back basketball with practices beginning on January 15th. It has been a long time since this writer has written about the league that he loves and that made him (being an Eastmoor graduate) but that has all changed. This league is loaded with talent, including one of the best big men of his class, a Central Ohio sleeper prospect along with a sophomore that is soaring up the charts and making scouts heads turn. It is an exciting time for the Columbus City School basketball players and these young men are ready to return to action and compete against each other. This article is part one of which players you readers should keep your eyes on this season, here they are. Jaylon Jackson- Senior; Centennial: He needs mentioned, not only because of his skills on the court but more importantly off the court. Jackson is already committed to attend Denison University and they got themselves a tremendous young man. His leadership in gathering support and conducting himself in a mature manner was instrumental in these young men even getting back on the court. Yes, he plays hard on the court, is a wonderful defender using his strength and can knock down open jumpers from deep but he is and will be known for much more than that whenever he is done playing. Jackson is a community changer and although this should be about his game as a player, in this instance, he deserves a much brighter spotlight than that. [player_tooltip player_id="967166" first="Amani" last="Lyles"]- Junior; Beechcroft: This hasn’t been written in too long, but [player_tooltip player_id="967166" first="Amani" last="Lyles"] is the best big man in the Columbus City League. There are not too many flaws in his game at this level, the 6-foot-7 forward can put the ball in the basket from the post area with good footwork and a nice mid range jumper. Lyles can handle the ball pretty well for a kid his size, allowing himself to make plays off the dribble for him and his teammates in the haf court area to take the pressure off his point guard. Defensively is where Lyles impresses the most, with his ability to both protect the rim and get out on the perimeter and lock down multiple positions. You can see the confidence in his play grow during the summer and now, nothing phases him and he believes in his skillset. Lyles will have a monster season because of the chemistry he has with his point guard/best friend along with his dominant skills and the motivation of their season being cancelled in the midst of an Ohio State High School Playoff run. Aaron Lawson- Junior; Eastmoor Academy: One of the most improved players during his sophomore year (and a kid I watched personally since he was a freshman), Lawson has been tremendous in the offseason and is looking to carry that into the season. The long armed junior will have a larger role that he is ready to embrace in 2021, as he will probably be asked to set up and run the offense for this writer’s Warriors but Lawson is built for this. He has become so much more aggressive over the offseason and he can get to the rim at will where he can finish with athleticism while absorbing contact. Lawson’s jumper is much improved and he is now a consistent threat to get hot from deep and bury a team if they dare to leave him open. He also made his name on defense in coach Miranda’s system, often guarding the opposing team’s best guard which showed not only his competitiveness and mental toughness but also his ability to slow down players using his length and quick feet. Lawson will be one of the best players in the Columbus City League and looks to lead the Warriors in 2021. [player_tooltip player_id="921776" first="JJ" last="Simmons"]- Junior; Beechcroft: He was playing at the highest level of any league point guard in the league to end last season and Simmons wants the same team success. The 5-foot-10 junior runs the offense with patience, making sure everyone is in the right spot and making the correct decision when the ball is in his hands. Simmons can get the basket while finishing with strength in the paint or his vision takes over and he can hit teammates for open shots. This young man is cash in the mid range and can shoot the three well enough to make defenses nervous. Defensively, Simmons is an animal, he is able to slow down opposing guards with his strength, quick feet and active hands. Looking to make another deep playoff run, expect Simmons to be on a mission this season. [player_tooltip player_id="922605" first="Dailyn" last="Swain"]- Sophomore; Africentric: Possibly the best overall sophomore prospect in Central Ohio as a whole, Swain has done nothing but get better by the dribble in his first year. This young man displays unmatched athletic ability, merges it with an ever-evolving offense game and the potential to be an absolute hellraiser on defense. Swain is already elite in transition and as a finisher at the rim and while his jumper is still developing, leaving him open may result in getting him hot. On the other end of the floor is where Swain turns it up a notch, his arms are longer than Wal-Mart lines and he uses them to swat away shots and affect even more. He can also take it outside and lockdown the perimeter, making it almost impossible to get around him or get anything easy. Swain is on what could be the most talented team in the Columbus City League south (that hurt to type) and they could have a great run this season. LB Towns- Junior; Linden McKinley: If there’s a young man that could be faster end-to-end in the entire Columbus City League, introduce him to Mr. Towns and change the opinion. This kid is a total blur when he gets in transition, outrunning everyone (including camera’s tracking him) and displaying both good vision and playmaking ability in the open court. The lefty can also run the show for his Panthers in the half court using his short area burst and IQ to operate in pick-and-roll situations. Towns uses his height to help him on defense, basically running the pockets of ball handlers with his tight ball pressure. As Linden McKinley looks to run it back as Columbus City League champs and the play of Towns may very well be the key for his team. Mehki Bloodworth- Senior; East: A newcomer to the Columbus City League, the long and athletic senior looks to make an impact this year. The 6-foot-6 senior is versatile on both ends of the court. He stretches the defense with his shooting from deep while using his athleticism to finish at the rim. Bloodworth can also make plays with the ball in his hands, finding open shooters from the post and when he handles the ball in transition. His defensive effort is impressive too, using his length to bother players trying to shoot over him and on the perimeter where he takes away passing lanes with those arms. Bloodworth can be a block machine and will anchor the Tiger defense in his first and only season in the Columbus City League. [player_tooltip player_id="919015" first="Makhale" last="Massey"]- Senior; Northland: The leader for the Vikings, Massey is a scoring machine and can put the ball in the basket from anywhere on the court, slightly reminiscent of one of his coaches’ old players (and friend of this writer) Antonio Bumpus. Massey is a three level scoring threat at all times, and the ability to score between 18-20 points per game this season. His mid range pull-up jumper is unguardable because defenders are so cautious of the way he attacks the basket. Massey’s length and athleticism can bother offensive players when he is engaged on the defensive end. Overall, Massey is primed for a spectacular senior campaign and the Vikings always have a chance to compete for the Columbus City League title with the ball in this young man’s hands. [player_tooltip player_id="809627" first="Dan" last="Wagner"]- Junior; Africentric: Also a standout between the white lines, Wagner brings that Livingston avenue energy to the Nubians with his toughness and swagger between the black lines. The lefty is a flamethrower from deep and can be a dart thrower as a playmaker. Wagner can play off the ball and that is where he is able to get open and in the ball handler’s sightline to sink three-point jumpers. He also finds creases and attacks them when he handles the ball, getting to the rim with his explosive first step. The junior is a pest on defense, staying attached to his man and playing the passing lanes as well as any player in the Columbus City League. Wagner and the Nubians have a chance at a really special season.