The Stage: All Tournament Teams (cont)
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After dropping the first and second teams on Monday night. I decided that there was just too much talent to confine to just two teams. So without further ado the third and fourth teams from The Stage. Third Team PG-…
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Continue ReadingAfter dropping the first and second teams on Monday night. I decided that there was just too much talent to confine to just two teams. So without further ado the third and fourth teams from The Stage.
Third Team
PG- Nate Lyman 6-2 Kings (OH) (pictured) Along with regular season teammate Tommy Clark Tommy Clark 6'3" | SG Kings | 2025 State OH . Led All H.E.A.RT Basketball to an undefeated— and untested record. Looked like he had the ability to toggle between the 1 and 2 spots. Probably a long term point guard with his above average ball handling ability. Is also willing passer who plays his head up. That being said has a smooth and easy looking outside shot. Good athlete who showed good body control. Acrobatically caught a lob and finished it with nice lay in.
SG- Tusi Jackson 6-3 Marion (IN) Had to get one more member of the standout OPS Black unit on here. A 8-0 start on the Prep Ho OPS Circuit tends to warrant such attention. The Marion guard put up points in bunches all weekend. Standout game was the opener on Friday night. Put up 18 points against a Chicago based M14 National squad that featured a good backcourt.
SF- Alex Kazanecki 6-5 Cincinnati Moeller (OH) Versatile forward had a huge scoring weekend leading Ohio Unity to an undefeated record. Posted an eye opening 37 point effort. Averaged 21 points on the weekend. Showed explosive athleticism with the ability to finish easily above the rim. Had multiple dunks and didn’t need much room for take off. Wasn’t the only young Crusader doing work on the weekend. The aforementioned All H.E.A.R.T squad was led in the post by 6-7 2026 Bryson Bowling.
PF- Dempsey Cull 6-7 Flint Powers Catholic (MI) Mult faceted forward showed his expanding offensive game with The Process. I have previously referred to him and his twin brother Jesse as template stretch four prospects. However that might be limiting them a bit. Showing enough perimeter ability to be legitimate swing man prospects. Dempsey showed good ball handling and passing ability. The deep shooting has always been there. Still working off the rust as he did not play in the regular season due to transfer restrictions.
C- Keaton Hughes 6-7 Owensboro (KY) Post who led Kentucky based New Outlawz to undefeated record on the weekend. Averaged a double double in the process. Played big when his team needed it most. Scored 16 points in a close victory over Wisconsin Academy. Beyond the points and rebounds. Provided excellent rim protection all weekend. Standout play was “DIY” fast break. Tipped a rebound to himself. Dribbled coast to coast to finish with an emphatic flush.
Fourth Team
PG- Kyle Cualing 5-11 Lemont (IL) Small Chicago area guard had a nice weekend for M14 National. Makes up for lack size with shiftiness and the ability to quickly change direction. Wasn’t afraid to drive in among the trees. Showed grit and toughness. Took some pretty good punishment and kept coming back for more. The Lemont program recently sent the Castillo twins to Division II Wisconsin Parkside. I don’t know if this player can reach those heights. But he is off to a good start.
SG- Jayden Baker 6-3 Toledo Central Catholic (OH)Athletic and versatile player who played well for H OPS on Elite on the weekend. Stood out to me in a Friday night victory over St Louis based Gateway Knights. Also played well in a close loss to Michigan based Hardwood Midwest on Sunday. Wanted the ball late and competed hard defensively.
SF- Silas Blair Silas Blair 6'5" | PF Triton Central | 2025 State IN 6-5 Triton Central (IN) Scoring forward with good size had a nice weekend for Kyle Guy Elite. Was key in his squads opening come back victory over The Process (MI). Scored 18 points in that contest and iced it at the line. Was potent on the break with an explosive power dribble to avoid a defender. With his size showed the ability the score inside and out.
PF- Kal Koehler 6-5 Whitehall (MI) Koehler’s Hardwood Midwest squad got off to a bit of a rough start. That changed on Sunday in a come behind victory against H OPS on Elite. Started the comeback the hard way. Narrowed the margin with defensive intensity and rebounding. Lanky but strong frame helps out in both regards. Then in the second got hot from beyond the arc to finish off the comeback. Finished with an impressive 27 points. Should form a nice duo for the Vikings with Camden Thompson who having a good spring on the Under Armour Circuit.
C- Beckett Miller 6-6 Olentangy Orange (OH) Wide bodied post had a good weekend for Columbus based Charging Elite. Displayed a soft touch that you would not expect from a player of his size. Also showed good passing ability especially out of the high post. Should become a better prospect as he devel OPS physically.