SW D1 District Finals: Top 2023 and 2024 performers
The SW district finals featured four games at Fifth Third Arena on the Campus of the University of Cincinnati. In this article I’ll be breaking down the top 2023 and 2024 prospects, I already did an article on the 2022…
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Continue ReadingThe SW district finals featured four games at Fifth Third Arena on the Campus of the University of Cincinnati. In this article I’ll be breaking down the top 2023 and 2024 prospects, I already did an article on the 2022 prospects that stood out.
Aden Marrero, 6’1 SG Kettering Fairmont 2023: Marrero and fellow Junior Tyler Gentile were the beneficiaries of the defensive attention put on Dasan Doucet Dasan Doucet 6'4" | SF Fairmont | 2022 State OH and Anthony Johnson Anthony Johnson 6'3" | PG Midfield | 2022 State AL . Marrero was shot ready from the outside and found himself in open positions near the basket to wind up leading his team in scoring. Despite losing those top two players next season, Marrero is one of four Juniors getting heavy minutes this season for the Firebirds.
Des Bolden, 5’11 PG Sycamore 2023: Bolden played the best game I’ve seen on him in his career, beating defenders off the bounce with his quickness and proving to be a capable threat from downtown with two 3-pointers. Sycamore loses star Ben Southerland Ben Southerland 6'7" | PF Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy | 2022 State #247 Nation OH but returns most of the rest of the rotation, expect Bolden to play a key role next season.
Lawrent Rice Lawrent Rice 6'4" | PG Huber Heights Wayne | 2023 State #184 Nation OH , 6’3 PG Huber Heights Wayne 2023: It’s really coming together for Rice, and at the perfect time. Rice is playing his best basketball of his career heading into the regional round of the playoffs and just in time for the live periods in the Spring where he’ll play for All Ohio Red in the EYBL. Rice could not be contained with the ball in his hands, going for 24 points on efficient shooting from the floor. At 9/11 from two point range, Rice was getting what he wanted at the rim. A major critique I had of Rice was his reliance of finishing with the right hand, he actually made two left handed layups in traffic, a skill he hasn’t previously shown me. Georgetown Head Coach Patrick Ewing was at the game watching Rice, a prospect he’s already offered.
Gabe Cupps Gabe Cupps 6'1" | PG Centerville | 2023 State #80 Nation OH , 6’0 PG Centerville 2023: Cupps played a vintage game on Sunday, making the right read almost every time and was efficient from the floor. Cupps finishing with 17 points and 4 assists on 66% shooting and zero turnovers gets the job done every time. Cupps is one of the elite prospects in the state and will have a chance to get minutes right away at Indiana.
Deshawne Crim Deshawne Crim 6'2" | PG Fairfield | 2023 State OH , 6’0 PG Fairfield 2023: Crim was excellent in the first half and did the thing I’ve been waiting for him to do, make outside shots! I’ve always thought Crim had good mechanics and nothing ‘wrong’ with his shot, he’d just never really made shots in front of me. With two 3-pointers and 6/6 from the foul line en route to a game high 20 points, Crim started to ease some doubts I had about his jumper. Crim also tied for the team lead in rebounds with 6, proving his value comes in multiple areas of the game.
Tyler McKinley Tyler McKinley 6'9" | PF Winton Woods | 2024 State #78 Nation OH , 6’8 PF Walnut Hills 2024: McKinley is one of my favorite players in the state to watch and when the lights shines brightest, he came through with a great performance against Fairfield. McKinley is absurdly skilled for a post player his age, making passes and dribble moves that you’d expect from a guard. I was also impressed with the stamina of McKinley, playing 31 minutes and running up and down the floor when the game got sped up. McKinley is a special prospect and the clear top 2024 in Ohio. Very deserving of his top 75 status in the national rankings and maybe even could rise as his continued production becomes shown more on the national stage.
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