2023 new names from Midwest Live

<p>Midwest live was a great event to see some of the top talent in the state compete with their high school teams. While it was great to watch some familiar faces, it also gave me the opportunity to scout some new prospects and add them to our database. In this article I’ll break down the top new names I saw from the 2023 class.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1494504" first="Lucas" last="Perusek"], 6’0 PG Saint Edward 2023: Perusek is a two sport athlete at Saint Eds and waited his turn to make an impact at the varsity level. Entering his senior season, he’s ready to explode onto the scene. Perusek is a strong guard who has some athletic pop to his game. I also thought Perusek has a good feel and shot it well from the outside. With his high GPA as well, Perusek will be a high priority small college prospect on the hardwood.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1494503" first="Kevin" last="Kirkby"], 6’5 PF Dublin Coffman 2023: Kirkby is an unknown to most as he didn’t get a ton of varsity action as a Junior, but I think this late blooming forward is a guy to watch this season for Dublin Coffman. Kirkby plays with good patience when attacking the basket and finished with both hands around the rim. Kirkby also used fakes to get defenders off balance and finish through contact. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1494499" first="Matt" last="Wilson"], 6’3 SF Olentangy Liberty 2023: Wilson was a SNIPER today, making seven or eight 3-pointers in a blowout victory over Mason. Wilson was automatic from the catch and shoot position and played well within an Olentangy Liberty offense that uses off ball movement to get open. Wilson has a simple role on the team and played it to perfection. Wilson’s most impressive 3-pointer was when he pump-faked a defender to get him in the air and took a side-step 3-pointer that was cash. Wilson will be a small college specialist with his shooting ability.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1494501" first="Titus" last="Baskerville IV"], 5’10 PG Stow 2023</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1494500" first="Nick" last="Timberlake"], 6’2 SG Stow 2023</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1494502" first="Aj" last="Pestello"], 6’6 PF Stow 2023</p> <p>This trio of Stow seniors all stood out as potential small college prospects. Bakersville is a super quick point guard who was tough to stay in front of. The lefty got to the basket at will and his most impressive play was a scoop lefty layup on the right side. I’d be intrigued if Bakersville played football with his quickness and top speed, could be a dangerous guy on the outside. It’s also unsurprising to me that Bakersville was a part of a track relay that won a state title.</p> <p>Timberlake is a deadeye shooter who barley hit the rim it seemed. Simple role on this Stow squad that shared the ball well, I’d like to see if he can put it on the deck and create for himself a little the next time I watch him. Regardless, Timberlake is a floor spacer who made shots form the outside and stretched the defense.</p> <p>Finally, Pestello is the biggest of the Stow seniors I’m spotlighting in this article. Pestello has good size on the interior, throwing down a dunk around the basket and making some nice moves around the rim. I liked his physicality defensively as well. Pestello is a two sport stud as he also shines on the baseball field.</p>