State Championship Sunday, Mike’s Top Performers
The state championship games brought out the stars to Dayton Arena, in this article I’ll break down the top performers from the final three games of the day which were the ones I was able to catch. Sencire Harris Sencire…
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Continue ReadingThe state championship games brought out the stars to Dayton Arena, in this article I’ll break down the top performers from the final three games of the day which were the ones I was able to catch.
Sencire Harris Sencire Harris 6'4" | PG St. Vincent-St. Mary | 2022 State #79 Nation OH , 6’4 PG STVM 2022: Harris was one of my prime candidates to win Mr. Basketball and went out on top for a second straight season for the Irish. The duo of Harris and Lance Hayes Lance Hayes 6'4" | SG St. Vincent-St. Mary's | 2023 State OH made the Irish the best defensive team in the state, dribbling against the Irish looked miserable. Harris is one of the best athletes in the state and is a major problem in transition. I think Harris has the talent to play right away for the Fightin’ Illini next season.
DeErick Barber, 5’10 PG Richmond Heights 2025: A freshman being the best player on the court in a state championship game is pretty special and that’s exactly what Barber did on Sunday. Barber is a true point guard that reminds me a lot of Garvin Clarke, who also starred in northeast Ohio. Barber made some really high-level passes and was getting past the defense whenever he wanted. If Barber can continue to improve on his jumper, his ceiling is very high and Division I programs will have him on their radar soon.
Jaiden Cox Holloway Jaiden Cox Holloway 6'6" | PF Richmond Heights | 2022 State OH , 6’5 SF Richmond Heights 2022: The Wooster commit got redemption at University of Dayton Arena after falling short last season against Botkins. He made open shots that were created by Barber and used his size to cause match-up issues with the Tri-Village defense. It seemed like the big game experience that the Spartans had last season and this season made a big difference as after a slow start, the Spartans were dominant in both games.
Devin Royal Devin Royal 6'6" | PF Pickerington Central | 2023 State #49 Nation OH , 6’6 PF Pickerington Central 2022: When the lights shined brightest, Devin Royal Devin Royal 6'6" | PF Pickerington Central | 2023 State #49 Nation OH dominated both Gahanna and Centerville en-route to a state championship run that will go down in history. Royal got what he wanted in the paint and his strength advantage was obvious throughout the game. Royal has also shot the ball with more confidence as the year winded down with key makes in both of these games. Royal is establishing himself as one of the elite prospects in the midwest and should continue to climb in the national rankings and with recruiting interest.
Rich Rolf Rich Rolf 6'6" | PF Centerville | 2022 State OH , 6’7 PF Centerville 2022: Rolf is a prospect that I was admittedly too low on after the summer but also looks like a completely different player than even the guy who won a state title 12 months ago. Rolf has become a deadeye shooter and is moving on the perimeter with more confidence. Despite making so many outside shots, he hasn’t stopped rebounding at an elite level, which was always his best skill. Rolf will make a bigger jump than any other senior in the final 2022 rankings update coming within the next week.