Step Higher Tip Off: Stock Risers

The Step Higher Tip Off Classic brought some of the top talent from across Ohio and beyond to Holmes High School in Covington, Kentucky. In this article we'll break down the stock risers from the event.    Summit Country Day got an impressive win over Pickerington Central in what was probably the most competitive game of the day. Stocks is a guard who wants to get downhill and use his strong legs in the paint to score through players at the rim. A strong left-hand driver, when Stocks can turn the corner, he is incredibly tough to stop and he hit a clutch 3-pointer late in the game off a fake pass to get the defense off of him. I expect Summit Country Day to be balanced scoring from their top three guys and Stocks will need to have a big season for Summit Country Day to contend for a state title.     Pickerington Central was without a couple of their taller players so the Tigers needed some other guys to step up and rebound and bring toughness to the court. That's where Snyder shined as he got a couple 50/50 balls and provided good energy on both ends of the court. A lead guard who has consistently knocked down shots on the perimeter, Snyder has had a nice summer for the Tigers after getting valuable varsity experience the past two years.     One of the more intriguing prospects in Ohio, Fadel Mula moved from Florida and displayed true point guard abilities at 6'5. The lefty played with impressive pace and made the right read when the defense collapsed on him and forced him to give it up. Not yet having elite burst to blow by the first defender, Fadel Mula has to use craft and height to get to the paint and look to score. With a frame that should add strength and hip flexibility, Fadel Mula should improve as an athlete once he arrives on a college campus. Fadel Mula is an archetype that is very valuable, a true point guard with elite positional size, that will make him intriguing for college programs to recruit.     Another senior making some noise for McNicholas, this is a team I expect to contend for the GCL-Co Ed title. Ehlers showed soft hands, touch around the rim, explosive athleticism to dunk in the half-court and even knocked down a corner 3-pointer. Checking a handful of boxes, Ehlers looks like a productive high school forward who should be targeted by regional small college programs if he wants to pursue playing at the college level.     The addition of Combs has been a quality one for Lakota West as he provides strength, toughness, rebounding and interior scoring for the Firebirds. While Lakota West won a regional title in Ohio to make the final four, Combs also has winning experience after helping Cooper win the regional title and make it to Rupp Arena. Combs strength and interior scoring was on full display on Saturday as he was efficient at the rim on reverse layups, putbacks and breakaways. Combs also had a couple strong finishes with his left hand,

The Step Higher Tip Off Classic brought some of the top talent from across Ohio and beyond to Holmes High School in Covington, Kentucky. In this article we'll break down the stock risers from the event.