Top new names from 2027 Rankings Update Part

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our 2027 Rankings Update saw 25 players get added to our rankings for the first time and in this article we'll break down five of those players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2194651"],"_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-6a84c4e22f758"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The top OHSAA prospect in the state reclassified from the 2028 class to the 2027 class to arrive at hometown university Cincinnati. Mercer is one of the top athletes and defenders in the class of 2027 as his ability to play with other elite prospects has helped him at Team USA basketball minicamps and with the junior national team. Mercer has won an OHSAA state championship, a 16 U Peach Jam title and a gold medal with Team USA. Mercer will look to bring his winning qualities to Clifton as the Bearcats are looking to return to the NCAA Tournament under new head coach Jerrod Calhoun.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3196472"],"_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-6a84c4e22f7f3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Taylor had a breakout summer on the Prep Hoops Circuit with his Nova Village squad. Taylor has a strong frame, good positional size and a good motor. Groveport-Madison has had a nice run of strong athletes and have had some of their best seasons this century in the past two to three seasons. Taylor should be a key piece for the Cruisers next season as his rebounding and rim protection will be important for their team this season. Small college programs should take a look at Taylor as a guy who can score on the interior and rebound at both ends of the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3681834"],"_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-6a84c4e22f882"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gilmour had an excellent season last year and Titas is a key piece for the Lancers as they prepare for another season of contention in northeast Ohio. Last season Titas averaged just under nine points a contest and grabbed over five rebounds and threw three assists. Titas is a Swiss army knife on the wing as shown by those stats and his 43% from 3-point range shows he is a shooter you can't leave open from beyond the arc. Titas is a no brainer for regional small college programs looking to add depth on the wing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3663674"],"_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-6a84c4e22f8f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">West Clermont is a team to watch this season in large part due to their transfer guard duo from the CMAC. While those two might be the stars, Long is going to be a crucial piece for West Clermont if they want to contend for district and conference titles. Long finishes efficiently in the paint and converted 65% of his field goal attempts last season on varsity and based on what I saw in June, he should be a breakout player in the Cincinnati area this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2576072"],"_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-6a84c4e22f95c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Winton Woods always has athletes at the forward position and Key Jr is another prospect who should make a big improvement from junior to senior season. Key Jr had some impressive dunks this grassroots season and his positional size and athleticism will be a major help alongside [player_tooltip player_id='2140535' first='Isaiah' last='Mack-Russell'] for a Winton Woods squad that should be one of the best defensive groups in the city this season. Bethany was the first offer for Key Jr but I'd expect more to roll in this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->