Ohio Valley Hoops Classic: 2026 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ohio Valley Hoops Classic is one of the premier events in Cincinnati during the high school basketball season and I spent my Friday in mason, Ohio watching the action. In this article I'll break down the 2026 standouts from the action I saw.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2021052"],"_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-674b7c55ba013"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Owens is one of the most improved players in Ohio's 2026 class and showed his offensive ability in a tough loss to Lakota East. With excellent touch on his shots, Owens had some tough buckets in the 12-15 foot range including some fallaway and turnaround shots. For Owens, improving defensively and conditioning should be areas of improvement for this upcoming grassroots season where his recruitment will likely take a spike in interest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2445462"],"_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-674b7c55ba073"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After a slow start, Loveland came back and got a gritty win over a tough Preble Shawnee squad. A three quarter court shot to end the third quarter sparked a fourth quarter run that happened with Martin on the bench. I however picked him as my standout due to Martin keeping Loveland afloat for a large majority of the game. A guard who can attack off secondary actions, Martin picks his spots to attack and scores efficiently at the rim. Also a capable shot maker from 3-point range, Martin makes shots and makes the extra pass when it's open. I expect Martin to get a lot of small college interest due to the way he plays the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2386248"],"_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-674b7c55ba0b9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After graduating one of the best players in school history, Preble Shawnee returns a trio of starters as they look to remain one of the best small town teams in southwest ohio. Morton really caught my eye as a wing who was physical, made a bunch of shots off the catch and rebounded the basketball. Looking at his frame, it's no surprise Morton was a first team all conference football selection this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2323151"],"_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-674b7c55ba0fc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another standout football player, Reilly just received an offer from Wake Forest on the gridiron. On the hardwood, Reilly is an impressive athlete who gets after it defensively. The type of athlete and defender that can take a star scorer out the game, Reilly is an elite glue guy. Some of his most impactful plays were getting loose balls and rebounds. A prospect who will have his college future playing football, he's still a crucial piece to help the bombers win high school basketball games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->