Mike’s Friday Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Friday night I caught two games in the Akron / Canton area by seeing Federal League rivals North Canton Hoover and Uniontown Lake square off and Akron rivals STVM and Akron Garfield face off in arguably the game of the year in the city of Akron. In this article I'll break down my standouts from this fun night of hoops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2371442"],"_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-695b3ce8b1cd6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The engine to the North Canton Hoover offense, Hershberger can get to the rim in a hurry in both the half-court and transition opportunities. Hershberger had an early euro-step finish and also went coast to coast off the dribble that ended with an and-1 scoop finish. Hershberger has impressive burst on the ball but also can take slowed down extended steps to throw the defense off. Currently sitting at 4-0 in the Federal League, Hershberger has the Vikings in the mix for a conference title right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3299992"],"_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-695b3ce8b1d5c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A multi-sport athlete for Hoover, Geiselman also stands out as a pitcher during the spring. On a team that wants to space you out and bomb away from 3-point range, Geiselman does a nice job of getting position in the paint, catching contested passes and putting himself in the right place to find the basketball as a pass recipient or rebounder. I like watching this North Canton Hoover squad and Geiselman was a fun new piece to discover as he brings a different level of physicality to this group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2719973"],"_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-695b3ce8b1db8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the most improved players in Ohio's 2026 class, Cotton has taken huge steps as a senior. Starting the game with a bang with a putback dunk, Cotton showed off his size, length and athleticism. A high motor big man, Cotton rebounds the ball at an elite level and goes into contact when trying to finish. Cotton also flashed a couple mid-range shots in the half-court to force the opponents to respect him from outside the paint. Cotton also had some clutch putback layups, including one to start overtime. Hoping to see Cotton continue to develop his left hand, it could make it easier for him to finish in the paint at the next level. Gritty effort by Akron STVM to win in front of a sold out crowd.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2288383"],"_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-695b3ce8b1e14"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing against his old high school, Hamilton played with a chip on his shoulder on Friday night. Hamilton hit some tough 3-pointers with one off a step back, another deep pull-up and a transition 3-pointer where he beat the defense down the court. Despite battling an ankle injury during the second half, Hamilton provided tough defense on the ball and had some strong rebounds. An extremely talented and athletic wing, Hamilton is one of the top available 2026 prospects in Ohio and should be high on post grad and JUCO radars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2890888"],"_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-695b3ce8b1e7f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I liked how many long and athletic guys Akron Garfield has and Chapman did a nice job of using his height and length to finish over size on the Irish. Chapman had a couple layups from the dunker spot and is a player Garfield's guards can be confident throwing the ball to and finishing. With his physical tools, size and production, Chapman seems like a potential impact player down the line who could provide size to regional JUCO programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->