Shane’s Top Players – Week in Toledo
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This past week was my first a few in covering NWO basketball this 2023-24 season. I went to four very good and competitive games. On Tuesday I was in Lima and watched one of the best matchups in NWO. As…
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Continue ReadingThis past week was my first a few in covering NWO basketball this 2023-24 season. I went to four very good and competitive games. On Tuesday I was in Lima and watched one of the best matchups in NWO. As Whitmer beat Lima Senior in OT 78-74. On Thursday I watch Southview get a conference win against Perrysburg, 49-46. Friday night I watched my first CLHS battle as St. Francis picked up the road win at Toledo Central Catholic, 43-41. Then on Saturday night, I got to watch a TAAC matchup and see Maumee Valley pick up an impressive 63-57 win on the road against Toledo Christian. I saw a ton of talent at these games and this article will cover the Top Players from the week.
Antione West is ELITE. He is a clear next-level player and drew many D1 coaches to the game Tuesday, including the Men’s Head Basketball coach at Ohio State. West gave him and the rest of the crowd a show. He came out the game hot with scoring the first 7 points for Whitmer. He does a great job of creating little space for himself at the last second to get his shots off. Something noticeable about West was his strength. He was moving taller and bigger players around easily. This makes his ability to get to the rim and defensively. His shot is looking smoother and he is shooting it more confidently. He showed great leadership and maturity Tuesday night as well. He was in control of the team and made big-time shots and plays. This showed his team could lean on him. West has had the best game from a singular player I have seen this season so far.
Leach is a new transfer to Whitmer and he seems to have found the perfect home for him. My first time watching him play with his new squad was Tuesday and I saw a different version of him. He was just out there hooping. Playing with great comfort and confidence. He was getting to the rim whenever he wanted to. His athleticism and length are something hard to match. He has an impressive ability to finish the ball from all angles and with each hand. He shot the ball very well and finished with 27 points. He is still a very good defender. I was super impressed with Leach and I feel like his junior year will be his best one yet.
Dickerson is Mr consistent and Mr does it all for Maumee Valley. You will always know what you are going to get from him and in a huge road conference game for the Hawks, that’s exactly what they needed. He was knocking down shots and getting to the rim easily all night. He showed off some good dribbling moves to freeze the defender’s feet before attacking them. This allowed lanes to naturally open up. His length and athleticism allow him to be very versatile and a great defender. He is a player you can lean and he will perform. It was very fitting he knocked down 2 free throws to secure the win for Maumee Valley.
Isaiah Wilson
Isaiah Wilson
Wilson single handily kept Lima Senior in the game on Tuesday night. In the second quarter, he went off on a run by himself to tie the game at 24. He had multiple very good Whitmer defenders on him but it did not matter. He was attacking their pressure and making them pay for it. He got to the rim consistently and got a majority of his buckets in the paint. Wilson is a short and stocky guard with some good strength. He is a tough kid too. He was making a lot of hustle plays and did it with his motor and next-level speed. This kid is FAST. He has a huge contested finish late in the 4th to send the game to overtime. He traded buckets back in forth with West all game long.
Bays is a highlight waiting to happen and it was his show on Thursday night against Perrysburg. He plays with immense confidence and swag to his game. He can do whatever he wants on the floor and he knows it. He is a score-first point guard for Southview, but that is because he has to. Even though that his is role he possesses a great ability to pass and court vision. If he sees you have an easier finish than him, the ball will be on you hot. He can do it all athletically and has some great talent. He had a half-court dunk that got the crowd out of his seat. His size and body allow him to dictate and absorb contact. He scored more than half of the Cougars’ points and made me look easy.