Prep Hoops Havoc in the Heartland: 2028 Ohio Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second Indiana stop of the Prep Hoops Circuit took place outside of Indianapolis this past weekend. The annual Havoc in the Heartland produced plenty of high level play from players hailing throughout the Midwest. After giving you some Hoosiers yesterday. I'm going to move one state to the East and to the West. Giving you standouts from the great states of Ohio and Illinois. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ohio </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2860844' first='Amir' last='Warner'] 5-10 2028 Perry (pictured) </strong>I was impressed with this tightly wound guard on Saturday morning. Used his extreme bounce to essentially play as a post. Getting of plenty of easy looks at the rim and offensive rebounds. Accordingly the bounce was accompanied by an uncommon second jump that you don't often see from a backcourt prospect. Was also a good shooter from beyond the arc with a solid ball handling skillset. If the height catches up to the athleticism, could be a late blooming lead guard. Finished a Saturday morning victory with 22 points off a full stat sheet of offensive rebounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2830570' first='Levi' last='Johnsman'] 6-4 2028 Tri-Village </strong>Midwest Flyers featured a excellent perimeter attack led by Anderson sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='2832403' first='Sam' last='Gundrum'] all weekend. Johnsman was the strong post presence for the squad that went 2-2 on the weekend. Long arms and quick feet made him a factor on the defensive end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2833918' first='Brock' last='Shuluga'] <strong>6-3 2028 Milford </strong>Shuluga and Johnsman formed a nice duo for the Midwest Flyers. Shuluga possessed a little more skill on the perimeter. Was instrumental in getting the previously mentioned Gundrum some of his open looks. Shuluga and Johnsman held up well defensively against a big and skilled IE Indy Hoops Black squad that went undefeated on the weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Illinois </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The land of Lincoln borought two outstanding players. One of whom was playing up an age division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Al Cooper Jr 5-9 2029 Chicago Metcalfe </strong>I'm going to shoot straight, I wasn't overly impressed with this player in Saturday action. That changed in a major way on Sunday morning. Simply electric with the basketball in his hands. Cooper took over contest against Indy based Progeny. Not very big, but attacked the basket with strength and little regard for his body. Was more than than just an athletic driver. Also showed a nice shooting touch from beyond the arc. Hitting five threes in a dramatic come from behind victory for the Lafayette Panthers. Competitive player whose intensity seemed to rise with the stakes of the game. Finished off the weekend in dramatic style with 31 points in the overtime victory. Did I mention he was playing up an age group? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2861287' first='Jonathan' last='Austin'] 6-2 2028 Thornwood </strong>While Cooper was bringing the offensive fireworks for the Lafayette Panthers. Austin was the defensive spark. Surprisingly, mainly did this by protecting the rim with a handful of blocked shots. So many that I frankly lost count. You don't often write that for a 6-2 backcourt prospect. Did it with springy athleticism and length that helped him play taller than his listed height. Lived above the rim offensively as well. With plenty of tip ins on the weekend. Put up 10 points in the aforementioned weekend closing victory over Progeny. Wouldn't be surprised if he keeps growing into the three spot positionally. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->