Mike’s Thursday Playoff Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The OHSAA playoffs are in full swing and last night I caught two district title games featuring Big Walnut Vs Franklin Heights and Licking Heights Vs Westerville South, in this article I'll break down the five standout performers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2412020"],"_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-67c1f384c23c8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The flash plays McCruter makes are so intriguing as his ability to move on the perimeter at his size makes him such an interesting prospect with lots of long-term upside. McCruter had two steals where he raced down the court and finished with monster slam dunks, showing his end-to-end speed and athleticism. Also flashing a little ball handling ability off rebounds as well, McCruter keeps trending up. He will need to do some serious work in the weight room to handle the physicality of the college game but sky is the limit for this available 2025 prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2476447"],"_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-67c1f384c2455"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Not many kids at School's size and age can shoot the ball like he can. The prototypical stretch four, Scholl has a very simple role and that's make shots and space the floor. With a quick release and the confidence to fire from long range, Scholl is one of the top shooters in Ohio's 2027 class. Another prospect who will need to fill out, adding weight and muscle should be of priority for Scholl this off-season. With his height and shooting ability he already has a skillset that college coaches are looking for and has two more years at the high school level to round out his game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1790798"],"_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-67c1f384c24ce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A high-level shot-maker on the wing, Kershaw helped lead Franklin Heights to their best season in years and ended with a bang on Thursday night. Making some deep 3-pointers and a few shots where he went right over smaller defenders, Kershaw has soft touch on jumpers. He also had a couple lefty finishes at the rim. A younger prospect for the 2025 class, Kershaw could be a post grad option before heading off to the college level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2794359"],"_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-67c1f384c2520"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more intriguing new names I've come across in the 2026 class this season, Simon is a monster athlete with a big time frame. Really looking the part physically, Simon has broad shoulders and plays above the rim with a couple dunks on Thursday night and he almost brought the roof down when he nearly missed a poster on a defender. Really intrigued to see what he's able to do with Nova Village this summer on the UAA circuit, he physically will be able to match-up with a lot of other bigs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2794360"],"_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-67c1f384c259f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In a game where Westerville South was searching for consistent offense, Kaba provided that with a handful of layups on the block when the Wildcats were able to get the ball inside the paint against the long Licking Heights zone defense. Kaba is a quick athlete who also excels on the football field for Westerville South. Kaba showed a lot of toughness and was a key part in bringing the Wildcats back into the game in the fourth quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->