Top 10 Columbus City League Seniors
A regular senior year consists of hating class, taking pictures, being sleepy and saying the words “can we graduate already,” about 17 times an hour, but an athletes senior year consists of workouts, paperwork, meetings and saying the words “can…
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Continue ReadingA regular senior year consists of hating class, taking pictures, being sleepy and saying the words “can we graduate already,” about 17 times an hour, but an athletes senior year consists of workouts, paperwork, meetings and saying the words “can we graduate already,” about 17 times an hour. Even in these uncertain times, these seniors look forward to the challenge of senior year and what it has in store for them, all of them hoping their talents translate to the next level. This list is in order and it is based off their high school resume through their junior year. Also listed are honorable mention players that will have impact but are not top 10 players in the class yet.
Honorable Mention:
Ernest Johnson Ernest Johnson 6'7" | C Africentric | 2021 OH – Africentric: With the size to change games and the jumping ability to alter shots, Johnson proved himself capable of being a riser in this class. His offense is lacking but he makes up for it with explosive defense, jumping out of the gym to anchor the Nubian back line. Defense not only travels to different gyms, but to all levels of basketball.
AJ Glover-Independence: Only playing in 10 games but a damper on his junior season, but he looks to turn things around this year. The 6-foot-4 athlete played pretty well in his 10 games, showcasing his skill to defend and score in the paint. More playing time and adding more moves to his offensive game will help his game translate to college.
Leon Douglas- Walnut Ridge: Douglas showed flashes of good post play, having eight games scoring in double-digits including a 23-point performance. He has a chance to vault up this list by season’s end with more consistent offensive play and continuing to dominate on defense. College coaches will enjoy his development because he is still so raw as a player.
Myles Garrett- Walnut Ridge: Not the Cleveland Brown defensive end, but this young man is built like one, making him one of the most physically imposing players in the Columbus City League. Garrett is a low-post beast defensively, with quick feet and a burst that a kid his size should not have. Garrett’s future coaches will enjoy the on court passion he has for basketball and how hard he plays on defense.
10. Mehki Jarrett- Mifflin: The quickest player end-to-end with the ball in his hand, Jarrett separates himself in the open court by flying past defenders for easy transition lay-ups. A decent but inconsistent three-point shooter when left open but can break down a defender in a one-on-one situation. In the lane, Jarrett is special, he finishes over bigger defenders and is fearless in his approach with his quick first step. With his 5-foot-7 frame he gets knocked down quite a bit, but his heart always gets him back up which is something coaches at the next level will admire about him.
9. Javion Williams-Briggs: One of the more unknown commodities in the area, Williams has a huge upside and flashed potentials of huge scoring potential. Averaging just over 14 points per game, the 6-foot-4 powerhouse proved he can stand up to the best of his class. Quicker than you’d think and stays active on both sides of the court, Williams has the tools to have an amazing senior season if he can stay eligible. Developing his handle more will unlock a new level to his game and make smaller school college coaches extremely happy to have him.
8. Gabe Oduro- Eastmoor: A bouncy young man, Oduro can outjump most of his opponents but his true leap will come once he gains muscle and develops his mid range jump shot. Oduro finishes at the rim excellently for a young man built like him, with a quick release and fancy moves around the basket. Defensively he distracts drivers coming into the paint, forcing them to stop and pull up before they want to. Bringing out a more aggressive side needs to be seen before college coaches completely buy into him as a solid prospect but playing in difficult games will build that up in his senior season.
7. Maurice Barnes Jr.- South: A young man that has waited his turn behind many All-City, District and State selections, Barnes is primed and ready to show his true potential. The 5-foot-11 guard showed up during key moments for the Bulldogs, which was the most talent-filled roster in the Columbus City League south division. Barnes will lead the Bulldogs with steady play, he plays with poise and a confidence that beams through a stoic gameface. Playing late in the biggest games is the only missing from his resume, that will be checked off this season playing for the still talented Bulldogs.
6. Keshawn Harris- Independence: Held under double-digits in scoring one time, against the most talented overall team in the Columbus City League south division, Harris showed he can score on anybody. Shoots the ball pretty well which opens up lanes for him and his amazing mid range jumper or his ability to finish with floaters around the rim. Standing at 6-foot even and a slight frame, gaining weight would help him for his senior year and beyond. Harris will have the ball in his hand even more during his senior campaign which should have impact throughout the Columbus City League south. Harris’ leadership qualities can shine during this season if the 76ers are able to reel off victories that no one saw coming.
5. Caleb Brigle- Whetstone: I made a Columbus City League Top Shooters list, and I regret to inform the readers that I may have made a mistake, Caleb Brigle is the best shooter in the Columbus City League. Corner three, straight ahead three, off the dribble, it does not matter because Brigle can drop it from anywhere. He has a handle that is good enough to create space and a lightning quick release. One of his coaches told me that Brigle is the hardest playing kid he’s ever seen, no matter what the deficit is he does not quit on his team and is determined to play his way back into the game. Being this good of a shooter will always sit well with coaches as the other parts of his game develop.
4. Eli Burke Eli Burke 6'1" | PG Africentric | 2021 State OH – Africentric: Multiple 29-point games, including one at South, while playing in a balanced offense and average close to 14 points per game, Burke solidified himself as a top-tier player. The 6-foot guard has fun while playing the game, showcasing excitement and joy on his face during games. In his senior year he hopes to show that he is capable of leading a team to a city championship with a loaded team. Able to get to the rim with shiftiness and craft, Burke can finish with the trees in the paint. This writer personally witnessed him take over a game at Eastmoor, scoring 23 points and putting on a layup display that NBA 2K players would be proud of. Burke’s game will translate to the next level with his finishing ability and the way he can shoot from deep and mid-range, once he gains weight he will be even better.
3. Jaylen Gilbert- Centennial: The one that kept the Stars’ ship afloat last season was this young man, without his 16 points per game then his team may have been the worst in the Columbus City League. Gilbert played in 20 games and left everything on the court, drenched in sweat during every timeout. His strong upper body allows him to get past his defender then take contact and finish at the rim. Scoring over 20 points six times, including a 39-spot, shows fans, scouts and coaches alike that when you put the ball in his hand he can make magic happen. His game will translate well to college because he is use to high minutes, playing hard and being versatile. He can play on or off the ball and by sheer trying hard, is able to defend at a high level.
2. Shamarion Rogers- Linden McKinley: The most consistent scorer in this class, Rogers made sure that his name was known last season as he helped lead Linden McKinley to their first City Championship game appearance since 1992. Only being held to double-digit scoring one time last season, this young man proved he can be the go-to guy this upcoming season. The 6-foot-4 Rogers can play inside and out, his mid-range jumper proving to give defenders fits and his ability to jump helping him finish at the rim. Looks like he gained weight over the quarantine, in a good way, which will help him be stronger in the paint on defense. As he gets to the next level, Rogers will develop his handle more to ensure that his game will translate to college and keep increasing his range so his three-point jump shot will fall with more regularity.
1. Makhale Massey Makhale Massey 6'3" | SG Northland | 2021 State OH -Northland: Since day 1, Massey has proven that he is a step ahead of the others in his class. Dazzling performances, experience in big games and the ability to score at will is what puts him ahead of others. Massey has every tool in his offensive arsenal that colleges rave about, he can create his own shot off the dribble just as well as he can get to the basket. His free throw shooting has always been on-point and he shows up in big games. His counting numbers will be better once he is in college and has a more free-flowing offense, his close to 14 points per game will increase this season, the system he is in calls for a balanced offense.