The Stage: Saturday Storylines

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second day of action at The Stage just outside of Indianapolis saw plenty of high level action. Following are some take aways from Saturday's play</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Olentangy Orange has a nice 2025 trio </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Charging Elite went 1-1 on the day. The squad featured three players from Olentangy Orange high school just outside of Columbus. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ellis Appiah</strong>- Athletic and bouncy 6-1 scoring guard. Really popped in an opening win against Minnesota Magic. Displayed a dynamic drive game. But also played under control and with balance. Finished with 17 points in the opening victory. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dominic Davis</strong>- Small but skilled point guard. Plays with a sense of fearlessness to compensate for lack of size. Pass first point guard who plays with his head up. Will need to get bigger and stronger in order to finish off drives effectively at the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Beckett Miller</strong>- Wide bodied post might have the best long term potential of the three. I was impressed with his passing ability especially out the high post. Showed a soft touch around the basket and nimble footwork. At 6-6, will probably need to improve elevation at the rim to become a better finisher. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">All H.E.A.R.T has plenty of talent </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The old cliche of “all heart no talent” does not apply to the group made up of players from Ohio and Kentucky. Reflected in the teams two dominating victories on the day. There is talent up and down the entire lineup. As much as like the Olentangy Organelle trio from above. The Kings backcourt of <strong>Nate Lyman </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1812061' first='Tommy' last='Clark'] </strong>was more dynamic. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lyman displayed a high level of versatility. Showed the ability to run the point and set his teammates up. But he could really shoot it as well. With textbook perfect jump shot from beyond the arc. Showed a bit of bounce and explosiveness. So much that his team even ran a designed lob that he finished with ease. You don't often see that from 6-2 point guards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clark was an uber athletic 6-2 guard as well. Where Lyman laid in his lobs. Clark threw them down with authority. Even had a windmill dunk on Sunday. Good passer with a tight handle. Pretty complete back court skill set. With the ability to play both the one and the two spots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However the talent doesn't end with those two. They also have a solid group of 2026 prospects playing up. Led by Kentucky guard <strong>Athens</strong> <strong>McGillis</strong>. As 2026 McGillis is on the small side at 5-8. However has mature game that more than makes up for it. Like Lyman has a smooth and pure release from beyond the arc. The Kentucky guard plays for a Covington Catholic program that has produced some excellent next level prospects in last few years. With a little more size. McGillis could join that bunch. All Heart's 2026 talent doesn't end with McGillis. Also featured 6-5 <strong>William</strong> <strong>Bennett</strong> from Indian Hill (OH) and 6-7 <strong>Bryson</strong> <strong>Bowling</strong> from Cincinnati Moeller. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Full Package still has shooters </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Full Package 17U squad was one of the more enjoyable teams to watch last year on the Prep Hoops Circuit. That was primarily due to Cornell bound <strong>Jake</strong> <strong>Fiegen</strong> who is one best shooters you will see anywhere. On Saturday they showed the shooting did not graduate with Fiegen. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Enter 2025 Mundelein marksman <strong>Evan</strong> <strong>Salvador</strong>. The lefty caught fire in a victory on Saturday over Kyle Guy Elite. Had at least five threes. A few of them were quite deep. Had a nice fluid release with little wasted motion. However didn't do it alone. Also had help from Lincolnshire's guard <strong>Craig Xia. </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Team Teague has some special 2027 prospects</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They say history always repeats itself. Two summer ago I was just up the road at the Noblesville Boys and Girls Club. Covering the Prep Hoops Grit Region Finals. Team Teague brought in a group of middle schoolers who nearly won the entire ninth grade bracket while playing up a division. They were led by a some players you might have heard named. Chiefly <strong>Jalen Haralson </strong>and <strong>Mark</strong> <strong>Zackery</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even though The Stage is not a bracketed event. Nearly two years later Team Teague brought in another special group of middle schoolers that went undefeated. They were led by point guard <strong>Cooper Zachary. </strong>Even as an 8th grader. Zachary is a consummate point guard who excels at setting teammates up. Has a sudden and explosive first step. But can also stop on dime with the ability to change direction quickly. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2965213' first='Isaiah' last='Hill'] </strong>is all about potential. At 6-9 with extreme length. Hill already has near elite measurables. As you would expect blocked shots with ease. But didn't do it just by standing there. Showed good instincts and timing. Ran the court fluidly and knew where he was supposed to be. If you haven't heard of those names yet. You soon will. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->