Queen City Clash: Friday 16 U Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Hoops Circuit took a visit to Cincinnati, Ohio for an Easter Weekend tournament that will only go for two days to allow teams to return home before the Sunday holiday. In this article I'll break down my 16 U standouts from the first night of action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2453406"],"_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-68032073f21c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the top athletes in the Cincinnati area, Gill stood out on both ends with his athletic ability on the wing and ability to defend multiple positions. With explosive burst and change of pace, Gill is a monster when attacking closeouts. Gill knocking down a pair of 3-pointers only increases how dangerous he is off the dribble as he's really tough to stop when his jump-shot is falling. Expect Gill to get some Division I interest this summer playing on the 3SSB circuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2377846"],"_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-68032073f2256"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the highest motors in all of Ohio, Bell flat out competes every time he laces up his shoes. His effort levels get him a couple easy buckets a game and Friday evening was no different as he got some putback layups and used his strength to finish through traffic. Bell also is smart moving without the basketball and really takes advantage of the defense when they are trapping and rotating. It also helps that Bell plays with his high school teammate at point guard in [player_tooltip player_id='2842493' first='Jaylen' last='Gunther'] for Wildcat Select 16 U as well. Another prospect I expect college coaches to make a priority to watch during live periods.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2842801"],"_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-68032073f22d1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In the final five minutes of the game with the result hanging in the air, Stohon scored 11 points to shut the door on the opponent and secure a win. In that closing stretch he did what he did all game, caught passes and scored at the rim using patience, touch and feel. Add in a corner 3-pointer to take the lead that started the run and Stohon made his impact as an inside-outside presence. One of the more intriguing forwards from central PA in the class of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2842509"],"_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-68032073f2358"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This was my first time watching Jackson Jr and left impressed with his athleticism, frame and motor. A lefty forward who plays hard driving to the basket and crashing the offensive glass, Jackson was going strong with his left hand whenever he caught the ball. Able to finish through contact, Jackson Jr has the strength as a multi-sport football athlete that translates on the hardwood. For Jackson Jr to take the next step as a basketball player, being able to attack with his right hand will make him more difficult to scout and gameplan for. Interesting talent I'll be continuing to monitor in northeast Ohio's 2027 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2443749"],"_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-68032073f23d0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the best wing shooters in Ohio, Johnson is dangerous as a spot-up or pick and fade shooter. Johnson was making some tough shots from downtown and a pair of his 3-pointers helped keep OBC alive for the entirety of the game. I like that Johnson can make a big impact playing without the ball in his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2379747"],"_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-68032073f2446"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the top players in the east district as a sophomore, Haney has continued to impress at the grassroots level with his high motor and skill level. Haney is a high-level passer who is consistently in attack mode and looking to make a play. Defensively, Haney uses his quick hands to steal the ball and isn't afraid to make a play on the ball in traffic which leads to some turnovers and some fouls. Offensively, Haney has soft touch on floaters and jump-shots, which he had some tough buckets early in the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2288542"],"_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-68032073f24bd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smaller point guards have to be tough and I've never seen Clay back down from a challenge on the court. A high-pressure guard defensively, Clay was getting active in the paint with a tough putback layup and scoring off a smart off-ball cut. Late in the game Clay hit back-to-back deep 3-pointers that cut the deficit to just three points with two minutes to play. While it was nice seeing Clay on the grassroots circuit, I am most excited to see the continued growth of Berea-Midpark, one of the youngest teams in the state the past two seasons and are now ready to take that step into conference title contention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->