Buckeye State Bash – ICYMI New Young Forwards With Loud Games

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops covered the 2026 Buckeye State Bash Sunday May 10th at Westland High School. There was great talent all throughout Westland High School on Sunday morning and afternoon. Today, I will introduce five new forwards who really stood out to me at this event on Mother's Day!!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":3635034,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Carson Bailey","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2031","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Future Legends 13U - Madison","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-6a0284880e7bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Carson Bailey might be a 7th grader, but he plays with a level of grit and toughness that really jumps out to you! He has strong upper body strength for his age and already knows how to finish around the rim. I was really impressed with this young man's motor and toughness when finishing through contact. Along with his offense, he was a real difference-maker on the defensive side of the ball. Carson rotated over well and showed a strong wall when the opponent drove into the paint and didn't foul. After strong defensive possessions, he finished the plays with physical boxouts securing the rebounds. I loved his motor on the offensive glass! Carson Bailey showed that he has all the right attributes to be a winner even at a young age!</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":3635070,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Anthony Clay","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2031","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Future Legends 13U - Madison","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-6a0284880e90b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Anthony Clay already has the measurements and natural build to start turning heads! A true physical force as a middle schooler. A multi-sport athlete who plays with a level of confidence that few have at his age already! Clay made a handful of inside finishes look easy as he uses his strong upper body strength to power through defenders. His strength at his age is eye catching! Clay is capable of getting the ball in the post, facing up, and attacking the defense with either hand inside the paint. Love his attack-mindset and ability to set solid screens and make himself available in the post for finishes. A solid showing on Sunday for this athletic star who I believe is just starting to tap the surface of his potential!</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":3635080,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Tre Moreland III","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2032","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Buckeye Prep Phenoms 12U - 1","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-6a0284880ea0c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There is no lack of confidence with Tre Moreland III's game! Moreland III loves to be the initiator for his team at the offensive end. Love this young man's motor to finish tough baskets in the paint! A little contact isn't going to stop this guy from scoring baskets. One of the top middle schoolers I've watched during this year's Prep Hoops Circuit! Tre is able to handle he ball versus pressure and facilitate with ease and fluidity! High level finishing and playmaking is what you get with Tre Moreland III! Loved the way he encouraged and played with his teammates as well throughout the weekend! Standout performance in Buckeye Prep Phenoms 12U - 1 championship win! No doubt Tre Moreland III will be a name that we hear more and more as a top middle schooler and one day high school star in the Columbus area!</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":3635105,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Judah Kraner","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2031","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Future Legends 13U - Madison","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-6a0284880eafb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Judah Kraner is a talented young forward who plays the game the right way. Loved his motor and toughness he showed finishing through contact and battling on the offensive boards! Really impressed with the heart and grit that Kraner plays with! He's a fluid offensive player who can converts well despite heavy pressure. With his size and measurements, I wouldn't be surprised to see him grow into his body and start really elevating his game as he enters high school. A player that deserved recognition for his performance this weekend. I was truly impressed with what I saw and the upside as a ball handling forward that Kraner provides his team!</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":3635141,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Aiden Williams","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2032","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77243","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Reynoldsburg","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Buckeye Prep Phenoms 12U - 1","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-6a0284880ec1d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aiden Williams plays with a different level of physicality that is nearly impossible to defend at the middle school level! He's a sturdy forward who will move the defender with his size and strength! He has a physical nature to his game that you don't quite see in middle school! Williams flat out took over down the stretch of Buckeye Prep Phenoms 12U - 1 championship game! They fed him the ball in the post and he easily was able to use his weight and strength to move defenders and finish with force! Williams is also elite at crashing the offensive glass and converting putbacks. A physical forward who can carve out space to score in the paint! I loved his mobility and ability to get up the floor for his size. Early seals and strong post finishes through contact is what you get with Aiden Williams. Paint beast for Buckeye Prep! He will certainly be a name to watch throughout middle school and soon high school in the Columbus area!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->