Division I State Semifinals Top Performers

<p>I round out State Semifinal coverage with a look at the top performers from the Pickerington Central and Centerville wins Saturday evening. Plenty of star power was on display with different role guys making a name for themselves on the biggest stage.</p> <p><strong>Rasheem Biles</strong> (2022) <em>Pickerington Central</em></p> <p>Biles has been a spark for the Tigers during this tournament run after it being unknown if he would play at all after an injury had sidelined him. The senior makes hustle plays when the Tigers needed it whether it be securing big boards or diving on the floor for 50/50 balls. His presence on the floor and energy gives the Tigers momentum in the half court or on the defensive end.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="867951" first="Devin" last="Royal"]</strong> (2023) <em>Pickerington Central</em></p> <p>Royal continues to have an incredible season for the Tigers and is such an issue at 6-foot-6. I define Royal as a "big-guard" as he has the frame of a PF but can handle the ball on the perimeter and be a guard. Royal has one of the better skillsets I’ve seen this year and put it on display against St. Ed’s. Finished shots through contact and consistent around the rim.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="921749" first="Michael" last="Bova"] </strong>(2022) <em>St. Edward</em></p> <p>Bova couldn’t get much going for the Eagles against an extremely athletic Pick Central team. The senior guard made some tough shots off the bounce and was able to get to the rim a few times with his handle. Really absorbed contact when he was getting a shot up and didn’t change the trajectory of the shot. Great court awareness and vision.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1222346" first="Calvin" last="Little"]</strong> (2024) <em>St. Ignatius</em></p> <p>Little impressed me right off the bat with his defense on Centerville’s <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="867934" first="Gabe" last="Cupps"]</strong>. Cupps got his points but Little took the challenge and stayed in front of him enough that I felt it deserved recognition. Offensively, did not jump off the page mainly due to the defensive pressure being seen by Centerville. Little showed facilitating characteristics and more of a setup guy vs being a volume or go-to scoring threat.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1222353" first="Ace" last="Buckner"]</strong> (2024) <em>St. Ignatius</em></p> <p>Buckner is part of a trio of sophomores St. Ignatius uses. I would argue of the 3, Buckner has the more complete offensive game and more of an arsenal to use in transition or half court. His jumper is clean and gets good separation and release on the shot. Great 2nd level speed that allowed him to get to the rim. Buckner was in foul trouble in the Centerville loss but has a lot of upside to his game.</p>