Uncommitted stock rising seniors

<p>In this article I’m going to be profiling some seniors who have taken their game to another level this season. Each of these players will be making a significant climb up our rankings when we make our next update. For more information on any of these players, direct message @mikerothou on twitter.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="555228" first="TJ" last="Pugh"], 6’5 SF Shelby 2021: Pugh has been taking names in the past week, scoring 41, 34 and 38 as noted by Zach Fleer of 270 Hoops. I saw Pugh carry his team to an upset against Lima Sr on the road. At his size, Pugh’s passing ability is rare and he’s scoring the ball at an absurd clip. While he’s receiving some interest from MAC schools, I think LM programs should be all over Pugh as well.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="918967" first="Tasos" last="Cook"], 6’2 SG Westerville Central 2021: Cook didn’t shine in our in person viewing of him, but in basically every other game he’s been dominating the competition. Cook has improved a great deal from the 3-point line and that’s made his transition to the college game appear much easier. Cook is a monster athlete who has already put a couple defenders on poster dunks this year. With his improved shooting, Cook should be a priority for Division II coaches and even receive some looks from low major programs.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1041446" first="Marquis" last="Barnett"], 6’3 PG Brunswick 2021: Barnett is a very talented PG who can do a lot on the floor. Barnett can really shoot it off the bounce at 6’3 from behind the 3-point line. Barnett has solid size and burst to get to the basket and sees the floor well. With him leading a high-powered Blue Devils offense, I think Barnett should have offers (plural) from Division II schools.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1041445" first="Ian" last="Schupp"], 6’5 PF Worthington Kilbourne 2021: When I saw Schupp against St Charles, he put the team on his back and refused to let his team lose. If I was a Division II coach, I would’ve offered Schupp without hesitation after this game. A monster athlete, Schupp is build like a tank and is very explosive in his legs. He can space the floor from the forward position and can defend the perimeter well.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="805195" first="Marcus" last="Steele"], 6’0 PG Solon 2021: Steele has taken his game to another level as he’s playing against some of the top guards in NEO and excelling. Steele outplayed Barnett on the road and led his team to a victory. Against Lutheran East, Steele also impressed while almost leading his Comets to an upset. With games still to come Vs guys like [player_tooltip player_id="918962" first="Corey" last="Tripp"], [player_tooltip player_id="805148" first="Luke" last="Chicone"] and a rematch with Barnett, Steele has many more opportunities to impress this season.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="919035" first="Prophet" last="Johnson"], 6’3 SF Huber Heights Wayne 2021: I honestly wasn’t the biggest fan of Johnson when I watched him at Thurgood Marshall. While I haven’t gotten the chance to see him in person yet this year, Johnson’s numbers are catching my eye. So far Johnson is scoring 18.2 PPG and shooting 57% from the floor. I actually think most impressive is Johnson’s 4/1 A/TO ratio. If Johnson’s decision making has taken that much of an improvement, he’s a much more intriguing prospect.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="805198" first="Johrdon" last="Mumford"], 6’5 SF Middletown 2021: Another player I haven’t caught in person, but Mumford has shined for a much improved Middletown squad. They are only 2-5 but losses by 10 points or less Vs Saint Xavier, Lakota West and Lakota East show the improvement. Mumford is scoring 13 PPG in a grind it out league, shooting 47% from the floor.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="919007" first="Shane" last="Macalla"], 6’0 SG Saint Edward 2021: Macalla had to wait his turn, sitting behind a loaded senior class last season at Saint Eds. He’s starting this season and making the most of his opportunity. Macalla had 25 points against rival Saint Ignatius last night and is thriving next to a group of shooters the Eagles play next to him. I'm hoping to see Macalla in a larger role this season very soon.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="967140" first="Kyle" last="Sexton"], 6’4 PF New Boston Glenwood: Sexton has been a double double machine this season and his efforts earned him an offer from Ohio Valley University. A player most might not know about due to the location of his school, Sexton is dominating the competition in southeast Ohio, as he's a player who jumped onto my radar at the Southeast Ohio only event hosted at the Chieftain Center in Logan.</p>