Top Players from Shane’s Past 24 Hours in Columbus

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These past 24 hours I went to two big-time games in the coulmbus area. Friday night I was at the OCC-Ohio battle as Pickerington North won the league as they blew out New Albany, 58-23. Then Saturday morning I was at the Columbus City League Championship game as Northland completed the 3-peat beating Africentric 61-48. This article will be about the Top Players from these two games.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2476431"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2775892,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-67b12c007a18c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">James was so impactful for the Vikings in their 3rd straight City League Championship. He was at the top of the half-court press and caused havoc. He stole the ball or tipped the ball on a wing entry pass. He showed great anticipation and quickness in passing lanes all game. He had complete control of the game being the head of the zone. On the offensive end, he ran the offense very efficiently. He always made the right decisions with the ball in his hands. He scored really efficiently and didn't force wasn't there. Really impressive game from James.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1708690"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2775895,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-67b12c007a1f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bates set a tone in this big-time OCC – Ohio battle. He did this on the defensive end. He applied a ton of on-ball pressure to the primary ball handlers. He caused them to start their offense way out on the court making it difficult for New Albany to score. He caused a couple turnovers. If you were loose with the ball around him, he took it. His length really showed with his ability to pick-pocket the ball handlers. He then got going on the offensive end in the second half. He hit 4 threes in the 3rd quarter. He got hot and didn't miss from deep. Showed a deep range. He also showed an improved ability to create his own shot. Bates has improved a ton since the last time I saw him play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":2775896,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2796628' first='Owan' last='Mburugu']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77248","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Northland","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b12c007a28b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mburugu came ready to play in the biggest game of the year for Northland. He hit 3 3s in the first quarter, giving Northland a big lead. He was in a great rhythm all game. The ball came off his hands with no hesitation. He has a pure smooth shot. Great touch with the ball. He has some really good lengths that he uses well. This sophomore is someone who may have had a coming-out party today.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1432005"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2775897,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-67b12c007a2e1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lawson is one of the best players in the state so you know he will deliver in big games. He did that on Friday night. After a slow start, back-to-back dunks from Lawson made it all Pick North the rest of the way.  He then showed great playmaking ability. He has a gravity on the court, and he recognizes this, so he simplifies the game and gets it to the open teammate. When they needed him to score, he did. He has a quick explosive pull-up midrange game. He is good at fading away while knocking down his shots. He showed more focus on the defensive end on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1503915"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2775899,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-67b12c007a333"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McMorris was a presence on the court all game. He changed the ability of Aficentric to attack the basket. He blocked or altered a ton of shots. His rim-protecting presence allowed the Northland guard to be more aggressive on zone defense because he would clean everything up at the rim. He then showed good strong aggressive takes. He has an improved mentality of being dominant. He uses his size to his advantage way better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2459113"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2775903,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-67b12c007a382"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gray played his tail off today. He played with such toughness and a high motor for the entirety of the game. He was shown giving multiple efforts on a lot of possessions. He played much bigger than he is. He is a strong guard, but he was seen being a presence in the post today. He was physically in pain when rebounding and attacking the rim. Used his body well to help him finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->