Top Division I District Performers

<p>I wrap up District Final recaps by highlighting the Division I top performers from Fifth Third Arena on Sunday. Plenty of high-end talent was on display as Dayton teams Centerville, Fairmont, and Wayne, along with local power Fairfield all advanced onward. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="921764" first="Ben" last="Southerland"]</strong> (2022) <em>Sycamore</em></p> <p>Southerland’s season surely did not end the way he had hoped, but he did a solid job for the Aves in their District Final loss to Fairmont. The Liberty commit has great movement and skillset for a 6-foot-7 wing. Didn’t fill up the stat sheet too much as he was held to 7 points and saw very tough defensive pressure throughout the game. However, Southerland impacts the game with the size and forces Fairmont to account for him every possession on both ends of the floor.</p> <p><strong>Des Bolden</strong> (2023) <em>Sycamore</em></p> <p>On a day where Southerland is getting tough pressure, and sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1222347" first="Raleigh" last="Burgess"]</strong> was in foul trouble, Bolden stepped into the role of being the offensive leader for the Aves leading with 16 points in the loss. Only a junior, Bolden got the majority of his points slashing and showed consistency beating his man off the perimeter. Having a guy like him and Burgess next year could allow him to continue having good offensive showings when the defense goes to stop Burgess.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="921793" first="Anthony" last="Johnson"]</strong> (2022) <em>Fairmont</em></p> <p>All year, Johnson has been one of Fairmont’s leaders and did it in ways beyond scoring. In a game against Sycamore, he continued to leave no doubt of this. Johnson is one of the quickest players I’ve seen in person and has such a quick first few steps. Fast release on the pullup shot. High IQ guard that knows the correct play to make when he’s seeing certain defensive looks.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1219810" first="Colin" last="McHale"]</strong> (2022) <em>Turpin</em></p> <p>McHale just wasn’t getting shots to fall Sunday as Wayne held him to 7 points on 1-9 shooting. The senior 6-foot-6 SF has a lot of inside-out capabilities to his game. Knows how to use his longer frame to get shots up around the rim. Can step out and handle the ball on the perimeter as well. A former Covington Catholic standout, McHale’s transfer surely allowed some of his abilities to be displayed as one of the primary players for the Spartans this year.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="867934" first="Gabe" last="Cupps"]</strong> (2023) <em>Centerville</em></p> <p>It seems like every game I watch Cupps is one of the best players. With the big stage of the District Finals on the line, the Indiana commit didn’t disappoint. Cupps can score the ball from all 3 levels no doubt, but he continues to be one of the better distributors you will find in the entire state. Straight up impacts the game on both ends of the floor with his playmaking and his lockdown defense. Cupps has great lateral quickness and can shut down whoever he is tasked with defending.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1222345" first="Tyler" last="McKinley"]</strong> (2024) <em>Walnut Hills</em></p> <p>Sunday served as my first in-person evaluation of McKinley who is considered by some to be the state’s best prospect in the 2024 class. The 6-foot-9 sophomore left no doubt of his skills against Fairfield. With a great interior threat in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1163452" first="Aamir" last="Rogers"]</strong> defending him, McKinley still finished with 15 points in a loss for the Eagles. McKinley has great strength and moves pretty well for someone his size. His athleticism along with length makes him a tough player to defend. Has a soft touch around the rim and just knows how to use his body.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="867933" first="Deshawne" last="Crim"]</strong> (2023) <em>Fairfield</em></p> <p>Crim played his tail off in route to a 20 point performance in beating Walnut Hills Sunday. The junior PG continues to be one of the best PGs in Ohio in the 2023 class with his scoring capabilities, elite vision, and playmaking. Sunday was no different as Crim played with a high motor. Attacked the rim hard, made the extra passes when needed, and was willing to shoot the ball when the driving lanes were taken away. He along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="809630" first="Logan" last="Woods"]</strong> are making up a very formidable backcourt capable of making some noise the rest of the postseason. </p>