Mike's Weekly Standouts

Despite the snowy conditions, I was able to make it out to 3 games this week and in this article I'll break down the standouts from Tri Valley @ John Glenn, Bishop Ready @ Columbus Academy and Hamilton Township @ Linden McKinley.    One of the statement performances of the year was made by Singleton on Saturday afternoon in a battle of unbeaten teams. To put it simply, Singleton dominated the game on both ends of the court and willed his team to a victory. I've always been impressed with Singleton's frame and shot-making ability but on Saturday, he was dominant on the defensive end of the court as well with numerous blocks at the rim. Singleton's first step also allowed him to get into the paint and he usually made the right decision when the defense collapsed onto him. Efficiency was also sky high for Singleton from the field, as he barely missed a shot all night. To cap it off, Singleton had the game-winning buzzer-beating layup to keep his team unbeaten.     The leader of the Bishop Ready squad, Schaffer makes so many toughness plays that help his team win. Both him and his older brother Kaleb went the extra mile to help their teams win and it's why Kaleb has already found a role at Walsh, where Kayden will try and join in his older brother's footsteps. Not known as a scorer, Schaffer had some easy buckets in the paint by posting up and finishing with either hand. In the second half when Bishop Ready made their big push, Schaffer had multiple outlet passes that let to buckets in transition. At the end of regulation Schaffer had the tying layup off a strong drive and finish he created off the dribble. I love when kids get the most out of their talents and Schaffer is a prime example of that type of player.     Bates was going crazy on Tuesday night in a rivalry battle where he carried John Glenn to a tight victory. Bates was shifty on the ball and getting where he wanted to off the dribble and scored off numerous isolation opportunities, mostly using the floater to avoid shot blockers. His highlight of the game had to be a nasty pull-up 3-pointer at the end of a quarter. Defensively, John Glenn full court pressed the entire game and Bates used active hands to force turnovers and get easy buckets in transition. One of the top players in eastern Ohio's 2026 class, John Glenn is sitting at 10-1 halfway through the regular season.     A multi-sport stud for the Scotties, I was impressed with Hahn's game on the hardwood. A strong wing who was one of the top athletes on the court, Hahn did a nice job crashing the glass and using his size + athleticism to get offensive rebounds and score on easy putbacks. Hahn is also a good shooter with his feet set and knocked down a couple of 3-pointers on the corner or wing. Hahn has taken a few college visits for football but I think he could also be a solid small college basketball player as well!     Lyall and Hahn are a dangerous duo in the fall as a QB-WR duo and they have also been getting it done in the winter for the Scotties as they sit at 8-4 against a tough schedule. Lyall shoots a pretty jumper off his hands and can zip the ball across the court using his quarterback skills as a passer. Another football first prospect who also gets it done on the hardwood for Tri Valley.     I caught the second half of the Hamilton Township Vs Linden McKinley game in a busy Saturday around Columbus for myself. McBride has helped Hamilton Township get off to a 10-1 start to the season and I was really impressed with his talents. Holding a handful of FBS football offers, McBride is an impressive athlete with sudden change of pace and direction movement skills. I also thought McBride passed the ball well, with one dime in transition where he threaded the needle with a bounce pass. I'll need to see McBride for more than just a half but he's a super under the radar prospect on the hardwood who has already created waves on the gridiron across central Ohio.

Despite the snowy conditions, I was able to make it out to 3 games this week and in this article I'll break down the standouts from Tri Valley @ John Glenn, Bishop Ready @ Columbus Academy and Hamilton Township @ Linden McKinley.