Weekend D1 playoff standouts
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The Division I playoffs were playing their sectional championships in both the northeast and central districts. I attended four sectional championships over the weekend, New Albany @ Newark, Midview @ Elyria, Rhodes @ North Ridgeville and Riverside @ Dover. In…
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Continue ReadingThe Division I playoffs were playing their sectional championships in both the northeast and central districts. I attended four sectional championships over the weekend, New Albany @ Newark, Midview @ Elyria, Rhodes @ North Ridgeville and Riverside @ Dover. In this article we’ll break down the standout performers from these games.
Burkholder was tough as nails for a Newark squad that requires toughness, defensive intensity and high IQ basketball. Burkholder checks all these boxes and has improved as an outside shooter off the catch and when he creates for himself. While he is undersized, Burkholder makes opposing ball handlers work hard to bring the ball up the court and create separation on him. An old school floor general, Burkholder has all the traits to have a productive small college career.
Crutcher was almost automatic in Elyria’s dominant victory over Midview in the sectional championship. Crutcher got to the free throw line early and finished well around the basket, including one tough left handed finish in traffic. Once Crutcher got comfortable around the rim he started finding soft spots in the zone from mid-range and beyond the arc. When Crutcher is the ball handler in a pick and roll, the defense can’t go under the screen without a hard hedge because that’s a shot Crutcher has mastered. While Crutcher was dominant, Elyria had a true team effort in this victory, Ryan Walsh Ryan Walsh 6’0″ | PG Elyria | 2023 State OH played tough defense and hit timely shots while Mateo Medina pushed the tempo in transition and was efficient from the floor.
Runser was a standout for Midview as his high school career came to an end. I was impressed with his shooting ability from well beyond the 3-point line and his quick release. Runser is a solid athlete when he gets a head of steam attacking the rim and is dangerous off the catch when he’s letting it fly or attacking closeouts. Runser was one of the better players in the SWC this season and could be a solid small college guard.
Turay is a slashing wing who found a lot of success finishing at the rim against Rhodes in a competitive contest that he was able to help his team advance from. I liked the strength he plays with when driving to the paint and he finished off two feet because he knows he isn’t an explosive athlete. With his controlled attacks to the basket, Turay doesn’t turn the ball over very much and is able to kick out to shooters as well. North Ridgeville has a solid 2024 duo to build with for a playoff run and next season with Turay and Collin Jones Collin Jones 6’5″ | SF North Ridgeville | 2024 State OH .
Reynolds caught fire in the first quarter with four 3-pointers as the lefty gave his team an early lead. Reynolds found open space against the zone defense and wasn’t shy about letting it fly. Reynolds struggled putting the ball on the floor but was able to use pump fakes and side step into a couple 3-point looks in the second half once North Ridgeville tried running him off the line. With Reynolds and Kenyon Giles Kenyon Giles 6’0″ | CG Maple Heights | 2024 State OH coming back next season, Rhodes will be favored to repeat as Senate league champions.
In a battle between 20 win squads in a sectional final, Taggart was able to push his team to a one point victory over host Dover to advance to the district semis for the first time in over a decade for Riverside. Taggart is a tough cover with his ability to change pace with crossovers and keep the defense on their toes. Taggart is also a capable finisher with either hand at the rim and knocked down a key 3-pointer in the third quarter. During the Beavers big run, it was Taggart playing set up man for Charlie Fox Charlie Fox 6’2″ | SG Painesville Riverside | 2023 State OH as the biggest highlight of the game was when Taggart dropped the ball off to a trailing Fox who hit a massive 3-pointer in rhythm. Riverside is having one of their best seasons in school history and the duo of Taggart and Fox are the biggest reasons why.