DI District Finals in Columbus: Top Wings/Forwards

<p>This article will include the top wings + forwards from the division 1 district finals in Columbus. The games included Gahanna’s domination win over St. Charles, 66-39. Upper Arlington getting a hard-fought win over Reynoldsburg, 48-43. Pickerington Central surviving a scare over Olentangy Liberty, 54-49. Closed off by a doubt overtime thriller between Westerville South and Dublin Jerome. South would get the win 70-64. I was also at Grove City vs St. Charles earlier this week and will include one player from that game as well at the end. </p> <p class="p1"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1045456" first="Drey" last="Carter"] (2022) - W 6’8 - Westerville South <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Drey-Carter35.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1401796 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Drey-Carter35-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a></b></p> <p class="p3">Carter is a very tall and long wing that gives you everything offensively. He is a very good passer. Scores inside and out. I really liked his post-up game, does a great job of sizing up and, making the right reads. He had a nasty right-to-left cross in transition and then dunk through traffic to end the first half. Showcasing that he is athletic enough to play almost any position. He showed the ability to guard every player on the court as well making him a very versatile player that will b nice at Wright State.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1052782" first="Chase" last="Walker"] (2023) - F 6’8 - St. Charles<span class="Apple-converted-space"> <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Chase-Walker1.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1401798 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Chase-Walker1-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a></span></b></p> <p class="p3">Walker is simply too big. I watched him play twice this last week and was blown away in both performances. He has a high motor and moves very well for his big size. Dominate in the post getting rebounds and finishing over multiple defenders time and time again. Has great talk and energy on the floor. Great tools in his bag - a good passer, a nice stroke, and great touch around the rim. He posts hard all game long. Gets to the free-throw line often because that is the only way the defense can stop him sometimes.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="867953" first="Sonny" last="Styles"] (2022) - F 6’5 - Pickerington Central <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Alex-Styles35.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1401799 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Alex-Styles35-300x187.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="187" /></a></b></p> <p class="p3">Styles won this game for the Tigers. Played absolutely phenomenal in the fourth. Took the game over and did it on both ends. Had a game-saving offensive rebound that he would then kick out for the game-deciding three. Took a charge on a two-on-one fastbreak. Game over after that. Showed again he is simply too strong, too big, and too athletic. Great IQ and passing. All-around player.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1"><b><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Javon-Simmons35.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1401800 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Javon-Simmons35-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="921759" first="Javan" last="Simmons"] (2022) - F 6’7 - Gahanna Lincoln<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b></p> <p class="p3">Simmons responded big time in the second half in this one. After having a slow first half Gahanna made sure to get him going in the second half. He was phenomenal in the second half. Played hard and ran the floor well. Got to the free-throw line a lot and converted with his very smooth stroke. Made very quick and strong moves in the post. Loves the hook shot. Great touch around the rim.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1"><b><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Isaiah-Johnson35.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1401803 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Isaiah-Johnson35-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1285303" first="Isaiah" last="Johnson"] (2022) - W 6’5 - Westerville South</b></p> <p class="p3">I really was impressed with Johnson. He was a sniper for South and hit many timely shots. Anytime Jerome had any momentum Johnson would kill it with a big-time three or layup. He is a very long wing who was very active on both ends of the floor and played a vital role in South closing out the double OT victory.</p> <p class="p1"><b><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Josh-Whiteside35.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1401804 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Josh-Whiteside35-300x173.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="173" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="921739" first="Joshua" last="Whiteside"] (2022) - F 6’7 - Gahanna Lincoln</b></p> <p class="p3">This kid is so long and just a freak athletically. He has next-level bounce and showed it off with a thunderous slam to end the first half for the Lions. He was crucial in their defensive 2-3 zone. Made every pass hard for the defense and protected the rim very well. Great in his role.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1"><b><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Toby-Nwokolo35.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1401806 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Toby-Nwokolo35-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>Toby Nwokolo (2025) - W 6’4 - Reynoldsburg<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b></p> <p class="p3">Nwokolo is a very nice prospect. The first time he touched the ball it was on a back cut and he tried to dunk it. Very nice athlete, next-level bounce. Has a very long wingspan. A couple of tough and strong takes finishes while driving in the lane. Showed some nice touch when he got in the paint as well. Excited to watch him develop.</p> <p class="p1"><b><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Kraig-Gilbert1.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1401807 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Kraig-Gilbert1-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>Kraig Gilbert (2024) - F 6’7 - Grove City</b></p> <p class="p3">Gilbert is a very nice prospect that college coaches need to circle. The 6’7 very long sophomore brought an instant spark off the bench for Grove City after being in foul trouble in the first half. He had amazing energy. I really like his athleticism. Moves like a guard, allowing him to guard any position on the floor. He has a great foundation to be one heck of a player.</p>