#1 Columbus v #5 Prolific Prep Game Report

Tuesday night saw a top 5 high school matchup take place in Florida with some potential future NBA lottery picks (Darryn Peterson, [player_tooltip player_id='1301714' first='Cameron' last='Boozer'], [player_tooltip player_id='1301715' first='Cayden' last='Boozer'], and Nikola Bundalo) in the coming years squaring off against one another. Prolific Prep gutted out a win, taking over in the 2nd half and dictating the pace of the game until the final buzzer. Let's highlight some of the impressive players who took part in the game.    Cayden is the lead guard on this Columbus squad who can also successfully play off-ball when needed. He does a bit of everything, showing high IQ, knocking down a perimeter shots, pushing the pace and involving his teammates. What changed in the 2nd half was slowing the pace of the game and trying to grind out the offense and slow Prolific and it unfortunately, that backfired. Defensively, he was matched up against Peterson at times and didn't make it as difficult as many had hoped. Staying locked in on the defensive end can go a long way to getting this Columbus squad back to where they feel they belong and chasing a chip at the end of the season.     Offensively, he finished well in and around the lane and from deep. He also played the dunker baseline area well, making good cuts along the baseline and ducking in from the dunker for shots at the front of the rim. Defensively, he did a good job protecting the rim, blocking and altering shots. He also crashed the defensive boards, getting his head up quickly looking for outlets to start the fastbreak. Areas of improvement this night was just being more assertive in the course of the game. It felt as though in the 2nd half, the team got away from what was working in the first, getting the ball in the paint and having cutters slash through and draw defenders, creating motion and some more open looks or pass out opportunities for Cameron to find teammates.     Gaskins was a late transfer from Montverde at the end of October. His game is best utilized as a slasher and in the mid-range. With a soft touch on his jumper and floater/push shot, he tried to keep Columbus in it. He also did a good job on the glass. Defensively, he's able to use his frame to absorb contact on drives and hold his ground but his length and reach are able to get into passing lanes and get deflections. Though he did not register a steal, he did disrupt Prolific on a few possessions, but they were able to recover the loose ball.     Showed why he was easily the best player on the court during this game. After shaking off some “me ball” moments early going 1-on-1, Peterson settled in and let the game come to him. Offensively, he showed skill as a three-level scorer, having a wildly efficient night against top talent. Peterson finished 11-17 from the floor adding in 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals. He simply willed Prolific to this win. On the defensive side, he was making impressive reads and getting into passing lanes or timing his jumps right when Columbus went up without protecting the ball better and was able to swat it.     Bundalo is extremely active in transition, both as a ball-handler or filling the lanes, finishing at the rim. He can step outside and knock down the three-pointer as well. Bundalo has nice bounce on the second jump and was able to grab offensive rebounds or tip in a miss on a few occasions. Defensively, he was impressive utilizing his length to apply pressure on perimeter switches, as well as getting deflections & steals on passes coming into the post when defending in the paint.     Offensively, he played his role effectively, finishing well through some contact. As a younger prospect, not being heavily relied on offensively at this time, he is mostly scoring on putbacks. Defensively is where he shined. Even though he's a '27, Ekezie Jr. made some great reads and had some wonderful blocks showcasing his understanding of the game and ability to act on it as a developing player. If his defensive intensity can remain locked in, he can become an even scarier rim protector by the time he's ready to decide on college.     Grady is probably the best shooter on Prolific. He shot the ball well from the 3pt line coming off motion and in catch and shoot situations. Grady moved well without the ball to get his open looks. Michigan coaches were in attendance and probably game planning how to get him open looks next year as he knocked down a corner 3 on the move and I looked over and they were huddled up. Defensively, he was serviceable but can improve more on this side of the ball.

Tuesday night saw a top 5 high school matchup take place in Florida with some potential future NBA lottery picks (Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer Cameron Boozer 6'9" | PF Columbus | 2025 State #2 Nation FL , Cayden Boozer Cayden Boozer 6'5" | PG Columbus | 2025 State #28 Nation FL , and Nikola Bundalo) in the coming years squaring off against one another. Prolific Prep gutted out a win, taking over in the 2nd half and dictating the pace of the game until the final buzzer. Let's highlight some of the impressive players who took part in the game.