Toledo Top 64 Preview: Dark Blue
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The annual Toledo Top 64 is back for its 3rd year! It will be played at Lourdes University on Sunday, October 1st, 2023. Less than 3 weeks away! This event brings some of the best players in the NWO area…
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Continue ReadingThe annual Toledo Top 64 is back for its 3rd year! It will be played at Lourdes University on Sunday, October 1st, 2023. Less than 3 weeks away! This event brings some of the best players in the NWO area under one roof for college coaches to come to watch them compete against each other. This article will talk about one of the eight rosters made up of eight players who will be at the event.
The Dark Blue team is made up of some very high-potential prospects. The headliner of the team is Antione West. He will be the one running the show for them and get the most attention from everyone in the gym, deservedly so, but if that is all you think he is all the team has you are very mistaken. With the other top two guards joining him, fellow Panther Elijah McLeod and athletic freak
Julian Washington
Julian
Washington
6'4" | CG
Margaretta | 2026
State
OH
. This team has great versatility. McLeod will be able to stretch the floor while Washington will do what he does best, fly around and reck the game on defense. Promising some dunks that could get the crowd going. The player that might have the highest ceiling in the event is a 6’7 incoming freshman at Maumee Valley,
Ty Lewis
Ty
Lewis
6'10" | C
Maumee Valley Country Day | 2027
State
OH
. They also have other good guards like
Kalon Butler
Kalon
Butler
6'1" | SG
Toledo Christian | 2024
State
OH
who is an excellent passer and bucket-getting guard
Tommie Taylor
Tommie
Taylor
5'9" | PG
Cardinal Stritch | 2024
OH
. Sandusky’s wing AaZoriyon Bonner should only add great size and depth to this team while
Xandyr Hesson
Xandyr
Hesson
6'6" | C
Toledo Christian | 2024
State
OH
will show tough play in the post. This Dark Blue team has all that you can think of. Continue to hear about each player in depth below.
West is the star player for this team as he is one of the best players and prospects not only in the Toledo area but the state. He currently holds 8 D1 offers including schools like Dayton, Xavier, Nebraska, Arizona State, Penn State, Toledo, and more heading into his junior year. He has always been a player who seems to just continually get better every time I watch him play. He has a really good size for a point guard and seems to be getting just more athletic. He is not the quickest player but he will always get to his spot and knows how to beat you off the dribble. West is pretty strong and really knows how to absorb and dictate contact. He is a phenomenal finisher around the rim. His shot continues to get more consistent. He has some sneaky long arms that allow him to get multiple steals and poke away. Someone who is willing to guard the other team’s best player. He is great at controlling the game. Very high IQ on both ends of the floor. Not many other people in the area that I would want running my team over West. He will be someone everyone in the gym will be watching come October 1st.
Washington is one of my favorite players of the whole event. He is a very long wirey 6’3 guard/wing that can do it all athletically. Washington has the athletic ability that he can simply do things that others can’t. He is a high flyer who gets rebounds, defends the rim, and loves to get out on the break. His long strides allow him to blow by players in transition. His defense is something to marvel at. He can guard every position due to his athletic ability and length. He also wants to guard the other team’s best player. He gets his energy and thrives on locking someone down. I love the energy and passion this kid plays with. He has great finishing ability. He is a smart player that never forces anything that isn’t there for him. He already holds a scholarship offer from Charleston College.
Highlights
Elijah McLeod
Elijah McLeod
McLeod is one of the top transfers within the area this year. He was at Waseuon last year and is now a Panther. Some say he is the best-kept secret in the area. A 6’1 guard that can shoot the lights out of it. You can not leave this kid open because he will make you pay. He has great movement off the ball. He is really good at reading defenders on off-ball screens. He always makes the right read and is in the right spot for a catch-n-shoot opportunity. He will be someone who will light it up on October 1st. His quick automatic shot could turn eyes and should get Panthers fans excited to have him on their team.
Lewis has not played a high school basketball game yet but got the invitation because this kid has all the tools you’d want out of a big player. This kid is very tall as he is listed at 6’7 and seems like he will get taller. He is not skinny either. Has some good-sized legs with an upper body that will get bigger and stronger over time. He has a really good touch around the rim and is someone whose shots are very hard to even contest. He has a high motor. Consistently runs the floor and plays hard. He will be someone that everyone will want to see play heading into his first high school season.
Highlights
Butler had a phenomenal Junior year at Toledo Christian last year and is looking for a big senior year to get some college attention. He is a good-sized point guard with great height and body. Butler is a pass-first point guard with next-level vision. It seems like the game is moving slowly as he makes passes before they happen. Shows a lot of his IQ and feel for the game. He is great when attacking the rim at finding the open man. He plays really hard the entire game and is someone who can have a breakout day at this event.
Highlights
Taylor last year was one of the last invites but he took complete advantage of his opportunity and made heads turn. This led him to have a very good junior year at Cardinal Stritch. He is a shorter guard but is an absolute bucket-getter. He has great touch around the rim and in the lane. He has a very elevated jump shot. His mid-range pull-up game is one of the best aspects of Taylor.
Hesson is someone who just plays the game the right way. He will always be in the right spot making the play. He is a tough kid as well. He will always battle for any loose ball and rebound. He has a stroke as well from the midrange and has an arsenal of post moves that allows him to get great looks.