KABC: Friday Ohio Standouts

The KABC Bluegrass Shootout hosted a live period event in the greater Lexington area over the weekend and in this article we'll break down the Ohio standouts from Friday's action.    Winton Woods played a tough schedule filled with quality match-ups against top teams and Mack-Russell had to do a lot of heavy lifting for his team this weekend. The power wing found success using his strength and body to get downhill and finish through contact at the rim. Starting to shoot it better from the perimeter with his feet set, Mack-Russell hit some spot-up corner 3-pointers and shots off pindown actions as well. One of the top players in Ohio's 2027 class, Mack-Russell has a long list of interested college programs in him right now.     A new name for myself, Dean stood out for a Walnut Hills squad that will hope to climb up the ECC standings this winter. Dean had a couple nice finishes with his left hand at the rim off step through moves and spin moves to free himself up at the rim. Dean also knocked down a couple jumpers and had good ball rotation, allowing him to get friendly rolls off the rim. When you look at his positional size, slashing and floor spacing ability and you get a potential first team all-conference and small college target.     One of the biggest Ohio stock risers all weekend, Griffin was dominant in transition in West Clermont's blowout victory over South Oldham. Griffin was playing above the rim in transition with dunks off steals and one off a alley-oop off the backboard that got his whole team hyped up. An elite shot maker, Griffin's shot selection has improved over the years and that's allowed his efficiency to improve as well. Playing the best basketball of his career this month with West Clermont, Griffin is trending upwards at the right time and is set to have a monster senior season with a group that will contend for the ECC title that's been held by Winton Woods for three years in a row.     The table setter for the West Clermont squad, Jones has been impressive all summer for his new team. Jones is tough to stay in front of on the perimeter and his ability to make live dribble passes allows him to create open looks for his teammates. Maybe the biggest change Jones has brought to West Clermont has been his perimeter defense, as they've been able to run and jump in a full court press and find a lot of success turning over their opposition. Those turnovers usually result in open layups at the other end for his group and there's a reason they have so many lopsided results.     The biggest Ohio stock riser of the weekend, Scales looks much improved from the winter as he's playing with a different level of aggressiveness and motor. Scales has maintained his bigger frame and when he can seal you underneath the basket it's almost always two points, sometimes three if the defense fouls him while he goes up. Scales has been adamant about catching the ball lower on the block and using his soft touch and quick footwork to his advantage in the paint. Recently picking up his first offer to Wright State University after their team camp, Scales had a big weekend in Lexington and added to his Division I interest.     Higgins broke onto the scene as a rare freshman getting action in the GCL-South. Higgins had a big scoring game with multiple 3-pointers off the dribble and was making plays for others in the pick and roll. Late in the game Higgins had a mid-range bucket and clutch assist to pull away from Apollo in a game filled with college coaches. Expect to hear a lot about Higgins over the next three years as La Salle should contend for conference and regional titles with a strong core that features an impact player in each class.

The KABC Bluegrass Shootout hosted a live period event in the greater Lexington area over the weekend and in this article we'll break down the Ohio standouts from Friday's action.