Friday-Saturday Regional Final Top Performers

<p>March is my favorite time of year as playoff basketball is such a great evaluation for prospects playing for their season’s to continue. Southwest Ohio has plenty of high talented team as I watched Tri-Village and Alter clinch Regional titles and advance to the state tournament next week. So who else impressed? Take a look below.</p> <p><strong>Justin Finkbine</strong> (2022) <em>Tri-Village</em></p> <p>The first time the Pats faced off with Botkins, Finkbine was considered a top performer as his energy and physicality gave them a chance at second chance opportunities and limited the Trojans opportunities. Friday night again gave Finkbine the opportunity to show this off as he won 50/50 balls diving on the floor and in the air. While he sometimes was a little overly aggressive defending the perimeter, it allowed the Patriots to set the tempo and limit the Trojans offensive shots.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="967174" first="Layne" last="Sarver"]</strong> (2022) <em>Tri-Village</em></p> <p>Sarver really struggled to get shots to fall in the January meeting as Botkins locked in on him and contested every shot he put up. Friday I saw what Sarver is truly capable of as he carried the Patriots offensively. Sarver capitalized on midrange shots off of dribble handoffs, getting his shoulders squared and a good release. What I really liked what Sarver’s presence on the board. The senior went and grabbed balls with two hands and was strong with the ball. These limited Botkins and took them out of sorts.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1165701" first="Carter" last="Pleiman"]</strong> (2023) <em>Botkins</em></p> <p>Pleiman draws Botkins’ opponent’s best player on a nightly basis and he had his hands full guarding [player_tooltip player_id="967174" first="Layne" last="Sarver"] for the 2nd time this season. The 6-foot-5 junior brought a ton of energy on the offensive end as he got the crowd and his team fired up on some big makes throughout the game. Pleiman moves so well on the defensive end and uses that size and speed. His midrange shot was falling and gave the Trojans a much needed momentum swing during the 2nd quarter of the loss.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1219812" first="Keliese" last="Frye"]</strong> (2022) <em>Woodward</em></p> <p>Frye ended his Woodward career doing what he has done the last two years. The 6-foot-6 PF brings elite rim protection and had some very athletic blocks in the loss to Alter. Frye has great bounce and long arms, allowing him to get a hand on practically any blocks he wants. Plays gritty defense and uses those bigger hands actively to create problems for opposing guards.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="809602" first="Jacob" last="Conner"]</strong> (2022) <em>Alter</em></p> <p>One could argue teammate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="967172" first="Ryan" last="Chew"]</strong> (2022) is the deserving Alter Knight after putting up 21 points in the Knights’ win Saturday. I believe Conner is as vital due to his presence on the floor. The 6-foot-9 Marshall commit plays patiently and confidently as he was unphased by Woodward’s pressure defense. Conner used his size and kept the ball high and away from defenders when the traps came his way. His length around the rim gives Alter a ton of confidence on the defensive end as he can block practically whatever shot he wants any given time.</p>