Ohio State Tournament: Mike’s 17 U Standouts Part 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ohio State Tournament brought lots of talent to Fieldhouse USA where I spent the entire day on Saturday watching some of the best teams in the event square off. In this article I'll break down six standouts from the 17 U action I caught on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1480850"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-665286f6eaae1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nova Village has advanced to the final four with their 17 U team blowing past the competition with just six players on Friday and Saturday. Perkins has been their standout performer this weekend, shooting the cover off the ball from 3-point range. On a Nova Village squad that's tough, will defend you and out-tough you, Perkins scoring ability has allowed them to separate themselves so far. Always been a point guard who uses his quickness and change or direction to get where he wants to on the court, when Perkins is consistently making pull-up jumpers he is almost impossible to stop. The semifinals and potential championship games for the Nova 17 U group pose significantly tougher hurdles than what they've played so far, we'll see if they are up for the challenge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2444328"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-665286f6eab47"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A new name I just found out about last weekend during the live period, I like what Jones brings to the table. An athletic forward who can space the floor, jump out the gym and rebound, those are three valuable skills to have! Every time I've seen Jones play he's done those same things, knock down shots, rebound and provide energy with his vertical pop. Buckeye Valley has a lot of size for a public school of their size so I could see them giving some teams match-up problems next season with guys like Jones returning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2382209"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-665286f6eab8a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A very impressive athlete, Caffey stood out from an explosiveness perspective on his team. Caffey was active in the paint throwing down dunks, grabbing offensive rebounds and finishing at the rim. Using his burst and physical tools, Caffey could finish above or around you when he attacked downhill. Really liked what Caffey showed me athletically and how productive he was. Nordonia had a great 2023 class with small college targets and Caffey seems like the next small college recruit from this program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2202107"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-665286f6eabca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rolling into the final four, Midwest Basketball Club Sayre/Maurer was shooting the ball at a high level on Saturday. Sharing the basketball and making the extra pass, Clifton was one of a few players who was making it rain from the outside. I also was impressed with Clifton's offensive rebounding and putback scoring. A big game in the semifinals waits their team tomorrow, they'll continue to battle and hope their perimeter shooting gives them a chance in the end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1462535"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-665286f6eac07"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another final four team, Midwest-Gilliland had to win three games on Saturday to make it to Sunday in the winners bracket. I only caught their final game of the day but left impressed with Williams on both ends of the court. Turning over the opposition defensively with ball pressure and traps, the easiest way for this Midwest team to score is off a turnover. Williams also gained confidence throughout the day shooting the basketball off the catch. A priority for regional Division II programs, Williams has earned low major looks thanks to his improved offensive game that rounds out his already impressive defensive ability and frame.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2021229"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-665286f6eac45"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Really liked what I saw from Mason on Saturday evening as he came out of the gates focused on doing the little things to help his team win. Despite standing at 6'1, Mason grabbed three or four offensive rebounds early in the first half. These extra possessions allowed Mason to do what he does best, pass the ball. Few players have the vision and accuracy that Mason boasts and this team is perfect for his skillset and its filled with shooters and scorers. Mason doing the dirty work helps his team win, and Midwest-Gilliland got three double-digit wins on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->