Midwest Fall League: Columbus 2026 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Midwest Basketball Club Fall League had their second week of games on Saturday morning and we were on site to catch the action in the 11th and 12th grade Division. In this article we'll break down six 2026 standouts from this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2570782"],"_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-66eb3773a006d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McCoy has had some strong performances in each of the first two weeks of action. A strong 3-point shooter, McCoy knocked down a handful of 3-pointers in both weeks of action. A quick guard, McCoy is able to beat the primary defender off the dribble and create plays for his teammates. McCoy also had a nice save of a ball going out of bounds to keep possession for his team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2205099"],"_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-66eb3773a00c3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Russell started cooking as a perimeter scorer off the dribble, knocking down a ton of pull-up jumpers on Saturday. The mid-range area was Russell's favorite part of the court to operate on Saturday morning, getting to his spots from the 12-18 foot range for rhythm pull-ups. A prospect who took a big leap as a Sophomore, becoming a key piece for the central region champions in Division I, Russell will now be a leader for a Delaware Hayes squad that once again has high expectations. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2570793"],"_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-66eb3773a0101"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">O'Neil played with a ton of aggressiveness on both ends of the court on Saturday. A wing guard with a good frame and a quick first step, O'Neil was attacking closeouts and getting to the rim. With the strength to play through contact, O'Neil also had a couple and-1 layups at the rim. Bishop Hartley has the star power to contend for a state title, they'll need guys like O'Neal to step up if they want to make it further than last season in the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2570809"],"_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-66eb3773a013a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gathings can flat out get a bucket. I like the rhythm he plays with off the dribble, using nice change of pace and direction to get space to pull-up. He knocked down a bunch of 3-point shots and got the shooters touch on a few of these shots that bounced around the rim before falling in. A talented 2026 prospect who could be a breakout player this winter in central Ohio.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2570812"],"_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-66eb3773a0173"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A bigger bodied wing guard who wasn't afraid of contact, Willis was a tough shot maker for a team that won both of their games in elam ending overtime on Saturday. Willis got a couple extra possessions for his team getting offensive rebounds and tipping loose balls to his teammates. I also liked Willis off ball movement to get himself open. Willis also made some clutch plays late in their wins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2394871"],"_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-66eb3773a01c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I thought DeWeese played under control as an off guard. Not turning the ball over, making the simple pass and finding his teammates that were ready to shoot and score, DeWeese is the type of player you want on your team. Also able to knock down open perimeter shots, DeWeese was scoring and passing for his team. A true gym rat, DeWeese followed this up by competing at our Expo showcase a few hours later.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->