Shane’s Tier 1 Sophomores
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With the State Final Fours and Championships being this week it’s a good time to reflect on this great season we have had this year. This week I’ll be putting out season recap articles. I went to 45 games this…
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Continue ReadingWith the State Final Fours and Championships being this week it’s a good time to reflect on this great season we have had this year. This week I’ll be putting out season recap articles. I went to 45 games this past season and covered basketball in the Columbus and Toledo areas. This article will be talking about the tier 1 sophomore I saw this year.
Miles’ jump from his freshman year to sophomore year was incredible. He got more athletic and it opened his game up in a big way. He was more confident getting all the way to the rim because he was stronger, faster, and quicker. This created the ability to finish around the rim to be more open for him. Miles is almost unstoppable in transition. He can get shots up quicker and usually has more space because the defense cannot check him as well. He is a super high-level player. He has averaged more than 25 points and 10 rebounds per game. He dropped 42 points in a game against Anthony Wayne. In the game I saw him play this year he had 30 points and made it look easy. He has it all. Size, length, skill, and athleticism.
Elwer is a straight bucket-getter with incredibly high confidence. He is not the biggest guard in the world but he is tough to stop from getting to his spot and getting his shot off. He can hit shots from all areas of the court and from any range. He has a quick pull to his jumper so it is tough to completely defend. He is really good at using his jab step to change speed and get defenders off balance. When he gets to the rim he uses his pivot well to create space to get his shot up. He is a microwave because when he sees one go in, he’ll make about 10 more. In the game I saw him play this year he dropped an efficient 40 and was unstoppable. This kid can flat-out hoop.
Kendrick came out of his freshman year and into his sophomore year with a ton of hype. Instead of letting this hype go to his head and trying to score every bucket and take over every single game. He matured and played like a true point guard. He gained some really good surrounding pieces that he didn’t have last year with Shoultz and McMorris. He did a good job of being a playmaker. He did make sure to score when he needed to. He hit incredible shots that were heavily contested but this year he got easier shots due to his playmaking ability. He is very good and going full speed at the basket and finishing at weird angles and touches. Kendrick led Northland to back-to-back City League Championships in his first 2 years and I am excited to see different parts get added to his bag.
I am a big fan of Bowens’ game because he is a dog. He has the athleticism and size but he also has no fear. He is the strongest-looking player but he plays so strong because he is not scared of anyone. He brings it every game and will guard the other team’s biggest player. He is a physical player. He is a great rebounder. He gets the ball at the highest point. Bowens is also a good rim protector. I say all this but he is athletic enough to be a mismatch issue on the offensive end. He has a quick first step, is really good in transition, and can finish over and through you.
Washington had a monster sophomore season. He has always been on the radar because of the Buckets and being a good player for Margaretta but this year he took it to another level. He is playing with a ton of confidence and being an aggressive scorer for the Polar Bears. He can do things on the court athletically that not many others can. Washington knows this too so he is more willing to try and do certain things others won’t. Going to get a rebound, block, or get all the way to the rim in transition against the entire other team. His length is a big help for his finishing. He picked up an Ohio University offer after the season ended. I expect during AAU this year they will start coming in more.