Ohio Capital Conference- Capital Division Sleeper Players
In a division packed with eight teams, more than any other in the OCC, some players may not be on the radar of college coaches and scouts coming into this year. It could be because this is some players’ first…
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Continue ReadingIn a division packed with eight teams, more than any other in the OCC, some players may not be on the radar of college coaches and scouts coming into this year. It could be because this is some players’ first time getting big minutes or simply because they do not score as much as others, one thing is for sure, these players deserve a closer look to see their value at the next level. In the search of a division title, take a look at the players that will be instrumental in the victories for their respective squads.Â
Caleb Conard- Senior; Big Walnut: A 6-foot-7 big man has already had some good performances this year, including an 18-point showing this year already. In two games, he is third on the team in scoring with 12.5 points per game after averaging 6.3 points per game last year. Conard can also hit mid-range jumpers consistently, and can become an excellent pick-and-pop player if he continues to push his range out. He controls the glass for his team as well, showing a good understanding of where the ball will bounce off the rim and getting to it. If he continues to display the skills he has shown so far this season then expect schools to get on board with him.Â
Drey Carter Drey Carter 6'8" | PF Westerville South | 2022 State OH – Junior; Westerville North: The 6-foot-7 talent is a defensive dynamo, being able to guard every position on the court. Carter is stronger than his frame would suggest, which helps him with his ability tk guard other forwards and centers. His feet move quick enough on the perimeter to where he is a problem for guards because they cannot get around him and shooting over those arms are almost impossible. He was fourth on the team in scoring last season, averaging 9.3 points per game, but with his incredible versatility and potential expect plenty more phone calls to come his way.Â
Caleb Iheukwu- Junior; Westerville North: Contributing to 16 games last year, Iheukwu averaged just under four points per game. After some impressive showings this summer, Iheukwu proved that he could use his athleticism to defend at a high level. His long arms help him play the passing lanes and he combines those arms and quick springs to get offensive putbacks and tip-ins. Iheukwu is capable of being an extraordinary three-and-D player at the next level, being 6-foot-5 and able to guard three positions at minimum. Westerville North will lean on his athleticism and defensive prowess to compete in the Capital division of the OCC.Â
Anthony Rios- Senior; Franklin Heights: Rios has a certain style to his game that resembles the kid from down the street who gets picked last but comes out and is the best player on the court. He does not look like the normal point guard but he has a gift of passing the basketball. His vision is special and the ball leaves his hand like Mariano Rivera in the bottom of the ninth, zooming past defenders and into the hands of his teammate. He can also deliver sweet and smooth bounce passes that need just the right amount of mustard to make the pass perfect.Â
Xavier Lopes- Senior; Dublin Scioto: The 6-foot-4 swing guard utilizes the same quickness he uses on the football field to disrupt things for the opposing offense. He has had plenty of in-game, varsity level experience by playing in 20 games last season and scoring 94 total points. Most of the points came in transition, with him being able to start and finish fast breaks on his own. With Dublin Scioto losing many of its top scorers, Lopes will be asked to expand his offense game and get more buckets for himself. He will have to use his athleticism in order to score this season by getting into the paint and finishing over taller players with his long arms.Â
Mitchell Tomasek- Senior: Worthington Kilbourne: A super stud athlete, Tomasek is also the quarterback and punter for the Wolves football team as he turned their program around and had a winning record this season. The second-leading returning scorer, Tomasek averaged just over 10 points per game in the 2019-2020 season. Tomasek shows his leadership with his actions and his play on the court, he also uses his long frame to get his hands up and contest shots at the rim. As good as he is on the gridiron, playing multiple positions and making first team All-State, he can have just as much impact on the hardwood.Â
Graham Snider- Senior; Canal Winchester: Snider is not experienced as a varsity basketball player but this season will change that as the senior will undoubtedly play in more than just 5 games. Snider is a hustle player who makes things happen by making winning plays such as tipping a floating ball to his teammates for extra possessions and getting on the floor for loose balls. Snider can hit open jumpers and will need to hit them for his team to be competitive this season, especially with his team losing over five graduating seniors. This Canal Winchester team will rely on youth in spades and hope to compete at a high level with the inexperience they have.Â
Hezekiah Russell- Sophomore; Delaware Hayes: A young man who will be seeing his first big varsity playing time, Russell is a knockdown shooter with a quick release. Standing at only 5-foot-10, Russell is great at running through off-ball screens and getting open. He is great in open space because he uses his speed and fills lanes by either running to the rim or spreading out to the three-point line. Russell will be asked to shoot more this season which lends to higher scoring outputs this season.Â
*All statistics provided by 270Hoops.com*