Top performers from the past week

<p>While I’ve been hitting the all-day events hard recently, I’ve also managed to squeeze in some solid standalone games in the past week. In this article I’ll be breaking down the top performers from Olentangy Orange @ Hilliard Darby, Dublin Jerome @ Olentangy Berlin and Findlay @ Toledo Central Catholic.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1163459" first="Mikey" last="McCollum"], 6’2 PG Olentangy Orange 2023: McCollum grew at least four inches from when I saw him about a year ago. With his bigger size, he’s able to read the defense easier and picked apart the Hilliard Darby zone. Still a knockdown shooter, McCollum is patient with when he looks to attack. I think McCollum will be highly coveted by Division III programs by the time his senior season comes around.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1347364" first="Gio" last="Roberts"], 6’2 SG Hilliard Darby 2022: Roberts was a player I’d never seen before this game, and I left very impressed by the senior. Roberts was looking to get downhill as the senior off-guard is a good athlete and showed the ability to finish off of two feet in the half-court. Despite Darby taking a tough loss in a mostly uncompetitive game, Roberts was a clear bright spot.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="921753" first="Dayvion" last="McDonald"], 6’7 PF Dublin Jerome 2022: McDonald left Dublin Coffman for Dublin Jerome and is playing a vital role in Jerome’s resurgence this season. McDonald provides size and athleticism that their talented guards lack. McDonald is a force on the interior and should be looked at by JUCO programs around the state. If Dublin Jerome wants to compete and win a district title, getting good play from their bigs like McDonald and [player_tooltip player_id="1285239" first="Matt" last="Butler"] will be critical.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1311189" first="Derek" last="Goodman"], 6’3 SG Olentangy Berlin 2024: A tough loss for a Berlin program that’s on the rise thanks to players like Goodman. Goodman has deep range as a sophomore and showed off his ability to create for himself against Dublin Jerome. Building a program from a brand-new school takes time, but Goodman could be a piece that speeds up that process by the time he’s an upperclassman.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="921771" first="Max" last="Roth"], 6’1 PG Findlay 2022: Roth had a huge game to upset previously unbeaten Toledo Central Catholic on the road last night. Roth has had a great senior season thus far as his athleticism has been tough to contain all season. Roth exploded for a monster slam and chase down block and was knocking down jumpers from all over the place. Findlay was able to keep a quality local recruit as Roth has looked the part of a future rotation player at the Division II powerhouse.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="867942" first="Chico" last="Johnson"], 6’2 CG Toledo Central Catholic 2023: Johnson has one of the smoothest games in the 2023 class and proved it again against Findlay. I just love the way Johnson gets to his spots on the court and can either pull-up or take it all the way to the bucket. Johnson is also one of the better guard defenders in his class, using his long arms for deflections and steals. Despite a tough loss, Johnson was impressive for the Irish who should contend for a regional championship this season.</p>