All Ohio Super 16: Northeast Ohio Performers

It’s only right that Ohio programs were in control all weekend in Reynoldsburg at the All Ohio Super 16. Not only did a program from the Buckeye State win all of the high school age levels, we were also often represented on both benches during the Gold Championship matchups.

On a player-by-player basis, some guys really stepped up to the competition and turned some heads with their play. From Monday-Wednesday, we’ll be recapping those individual performances, segmented by region. Now, let’s check in on the Northeast Ohio prospects.

Al Johnson (2018), 6’7” F/C, TNBA Kaminski / Akron Ellet

In our first opportunity to watch this team in 2017, Johnson made it very clear that he’s improved a lot over the past year. While Johnson knew where to be last grassroots season, now his body is allowing him to make athletic plays in those spots. Some thunderous two-handed dunks on drop-down passes caught our attention, as those were layups last season. Johnson has pretty long arms, which allow for him to defend on the perimeter at times, because he can compensate for speed disadvantages. The length and athleticism also compliment his tenacity when protecting the rim, as he challenges layups consistently in half-court defense.

Johnson has the looks of a high-Division II post prospect. His strides in development could bring some offers in July.

Aaron Loines (2018), 6’4” W/F, TNBA East / Glenville

Against the talented future Division I wings on OH-NOVA (Tillman), Loines showed off impressive defensive tools, especially when defending the screener on pick-and-rolls. Whether Loines was switching or showing, he didn’t allow anything easy when his guy dove to the rim. His long arms, feet (which are that of a guards), and athleticism, make him playable on nearly anyone under 6’7”.

While Loines is slightly out of sorts on offense — where’s he’s reverted to a simply a slasher on this team — his defensive upside could earn him a scholarship. We like his offensive ability in transition also. Loines appears to be a true “tweener” prospect this spring, which is head-scratching because we saw him handle the ball pretty well last summer, when he appeared to be a two-guard.

Ethan Collins (2019), 6’4” G, TNBA West / Glen Oak

The 2019 Federal League prospect showed his versatile scoring ability in the two games we caught of theirs on Sunday. While Collins attacks the rim and isn’t soft in doing so, he’s definitely more of a finesse player in the lane. Specifically, he has a turn-around and fall-away option around the paint which creates space for his shot attempt. Also, Collins spaces the floor with a high-release jump shot from three-point range. Definitely an above-average athlete and size at guard spot.

Trent Williams (2019), 5’11” PG, TNBA West / Solon

Williams displayed high-IQ consistently from the point guard spot. We were impressed with his passing intelligence, as he often was patient and aware enough to create angles. Furthermore, while Williams has the handles and speed to get a shot whenever, he is clearly a team-oriented guard who made sure Collins and Brandon Rush got going early on in games. Williams penetrates and kicks well. All of this is facilitated by his pace of play.

Safe to say that Williams really impressed us this weekend, and is very much on our radar going into June and July.

Brandon Rush (2019), 6’1” G, TNBA West / Warrensville Heights

Coming in, we knew Rush was an excellent three-point shooter that stretched the floor and kept the defense honest. What we didn’t totally understand was just how hard the kid plays. Rush was able to get an easy basket at times because of his hustle to create turnovers and beat guys back for layups. He scores in transition because of that grit, while definitely being a half-court problem, due to the shooting.

DJ Dial (2019), 5’9” PG, C2K Elite / Cleveland Brush

Dial is going to continue drawing Division I interest and offers if he simply keeps playing as well as he has this spring with C2K Elite. He’s separating himself from almost every other point guard in the 2019 class right now.

In a tight game on Saturday against Team Flyght, Dial used his size to his advantage in the lane. On one occasion, he had a subtle step-back against a large defender to pull himself into mid-range and hit the jumper. Also, he just always finds tiny cracks to fit through in the defense. Once he’s in those unusual spaces, Dial is a gifted passer to awaiting post players. Simply put, Dial puts a lot of pressure on the defense with his creativity. Team-oriented point guard.

Devontae Blanton (2020), 6’5” W, All Ohio Red / Lakewood St. Edward

There may not be a non-center in the 2020 Ohio class who has more upside than Blanton. While he’s most effective around the rim as a scorer, his playmaking ability off the bounce continues to impress us. Again on Sunday, he was finding cutters after drawing eyes when he attacks lanes.

Brent Darby Jr. (2020), 6’5” W, Rebels (sub from OBC) / Garfield Heights

Darby Jr. has a lot of skill development ahead of him, as he’s most effectively scoring right at the rim currently. The raw athlete from Garfield Heights should progress nicely in his high school system with Sonny Johnson, who has developed his fair share of collegiate prospects.

On Saturday, Darby Jr. provided defensive flexibility for the Rebels, often being at the bottom-center of their 2-3 zone. He rebounded with anyone down there in that spot, as he is a solid leaper. The young prospect also did damage in transition, as he’s a strong finisher at the rim.

Corey Floyd (2020), 6’3” F, Rebels / Cleveland Brush

Truly excited to see Floyd develop as a high-post four alongside fellow 2020 prospect John Hugley at Cleveland Brush. Floyd continues to impress us as a playmaker for others from the top of the key. However, Floyd surprised us with his subtle crossovers from the three-point line on Saturday, even knocking down some smooth pull-ups off of it.