2022 positional breakdowns top C’s part 1

<p>The final position for the 2022 positional breakdowns are the big fellas, the center position. This position is a very important role on the court as you need to be capable of protecting the rim, grabbing rebounds and switching on the perimeter. There are some very talented big men in this 2022 class and a couple of them are already off the board.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1138750" first="Sage" last="Tolentino"], 7’0 C Hamilton 2022: Tolentino is the tallest Ohio prospect I’ve covered since joining Prep Hoops Ohio. Whenever you watch a legit 7-footer it’s pretty fascinating to evaluate them. Tolentino came into Ohio very skinny and has added some mass, but still needs strength improvements before playing heavy minutes at the 5 at the high major level. Tolentino has some very intriguing flashes as a ball-handler and outside shooter, but both of these skills are still just flashes at this stage in his development. I’ll be interested to see how Tolentino performs during his second season in the GMC. Tolentino has all the tools to become a starter for Cincinnati, it will be up to himself and his coaches to bring out the best of those tools.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="921759" first="Javan" last="Simmons"], 6’6 C Gahanna 2022: Simmons is a bully on the block, using his strength to overpower defenders better than just about anybody in the state. Simmons doesn’t back down to anybody and had big games against Meanstreets and Indy Heat at the Run-N-Slam. I love the motor that Simmons plays with every time he steps on the floor. Simmons also showed much improved mobility and explosiveness last season for Gahanna, really blossoming into one of the best bigs in the state last season. I believe Simmons will thrive in the Toledo system that plays lots of shooters to space the floor for Simmons.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="809619" first="Antwone" last="Woolfolk"], 6’7 C Brush 2022: A two sport stud, Woolfolk has the ability to go Division I in either football or basketball. His monster frame from the tight end position makes him a physical defender on the court with nimble feet defensively. Woolfolk has soft hands when catching the basketball. Most of his recruiting interest has been in football, but don’t be stunned if he chooses to go the basketball route.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="967166" first="Amani" last="Lyles"], 6’7 C Beechcroft 2022: Lyles had a monster fall on the 270 hoops live-streamed events. Almost every time he played, he was named MVP of that event. For Beechcroft, Lyles helped lead his team to a city league championship. For All Ohio Red, Lyles did a lot of dirty work for their team. Before [player_tooltip player_id="809590" first="Josiah" last="Harris"] rejoined the squad, Lyles was their only true big man on the roster that got heavy minutes. This put a lot of pressure on Lyles to do all of the defensive and rebounding skills needed to win, and made his offensive role decrease. I expect Lyles to put up even better numbers as a senior, and he has a great chance to repeat as City League champions in Columbus.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="921739" first="Joshua" last="Whiteside"], 6’7 C Gahanna 2022: I love that Whiteside and [player_tooltip player_id="921759" first="Javan" last="Simmons"] played together for NOVA and will continue to play together for Gahanna. It’s not often you see a grassroots program or high school team play two more traditional big men together, but it worked well this summer. Whiteside can finish with both hands and has a variety of moves he can go to with his back to the basket. His motor has been inconsistent, but he brought it more often than not when I watched him this summer. I think both Simmons and Whiteside push each other to be better at practice and at the end of the day will make the other a better player.</p>