Bothwell and C2K Elite Making a Statement at UAA Finals

Andrew Force July 13, 2017 @ 08:07 PM

Preparation meets opportunity this weekend for thousands of AAU players. Ohio's C2K Elite 17u began their UAA Finals with a victory. "We beat a really good Connecticut Basketball Club," said C2K Program Director and 17u Head Coach Quincy Simpson. "We got up early...got up 10-11 early. They fought back. They got up 10 or 11. We chopped wood and got back in." The final minute was tense.

We trail 68-67 with 1:08 remaining..... Mike Bothwell at the line for 2 to try and reclaim the lead
— Lima Senior Boys Basketball (@Spartanhoops419) July 13, 2017

Michael Bothwell (Cornerstone Christian Academy) made both free throws and C2K held on 73-68. Bothwell finished with 18 points and six rebounds. With many coaches looking on, Justin Ahrens (Versailles) scored 19 points, bolstered by five made three-pointers. "I thought Darius Quisenberry (Wayne) played really well yesterday. Ahrens shot well. Mike Bothwell played really well. They have been able to do that throughout the season." One over-arching element for top Buckeye-state recruits is the Ohio State Buckeye head coaching change from June. Numerous roster spots are opened up and the direction of the program is still being introduced by Head Coach Chris Holtmann. Does this present a different urgency for Ahrens (OSU decommit) and other potential Big 10 players throughout the top AAU programs? "I can't speak for all the kids in Ohio," said Coach Simpson. "I know a lot of people in Ohio were excited that the new staff were here...Justin is definitely interested in Ohio State, but he is getting a ton of looks from other schools. He is taking it all in right now. Ahrens earned a Vanderbilt offer just last week. He is not the only C2K starter with recruiting buzz. "Wichita State called Darius and liked him," said Coach Simpson. "That is really it right now. A lot of coaches have been at games." Just one day into the July Recruiting Period, Quisenberry, Bothwell, and Ahrens are playing great. Caleb McConnell (Dunbar) pulled down five rebounds int he win and scored eight points. McConnell's high school and AAU-teammate, DeVon Baker (Dunbar) gave the team nine points and a steal.