Top performers from Ohio Valley Hoops Classic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ohio Valley Hoops Classic Tipped off on Friday afternoon, marking the start to the OHSAA season. With three games hosted at Mason high school featuring four Ohio teams and one team from Indiana and Kentucky, it was a great way to begin the season. In this article we'll spotlight some standout performers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1359137"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The performer of the night, Kinney led Newport (KY) to an eye-opening victory over two-time defending OHSAA state champion Richmond Heights. The best player on the floor, Kinney did a bit of everything to lead his team to victory. Kinney's burst and change of speed was tough for Richmond Heights to contain and he was knocking down some clutch jumpers after crossovers that left defenders in the dust. As a point guard, Kinney makes quick decisions and processes the game at a high level. For my money, Kinney is a clear top 50-75 national prospect and should be joining the national rankings at the next update for 2026 prospects.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1705953"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"The Richmond Heights debut for Crumble didn't result in the win that he wanted, but he still showed why he's regarded as one of the top forwards in Ohio. Crumble scored with both hands at the rim, using the left with confidence at the basket. He got out on the fast break and threw down an impressive transition slam dunk early in the game. In the second half, Crumble hit a couple confident catch and shoot 3-pointers from the corner, a skill that needs to develop and seems to be improving each time I watch him play. For Crumble, continuing to develop chemistry with his new team and figure out where he fits is the key as Richmond Heights plays lots of more marquee battles this season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1222359"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The host Mason Comets were incredibly impressive in a blowout victory over Cincinnati Taft. Menker started his senior season a man on a mission, dominating in all four quarters. A physical wing, Menker had multiple and-1 finishes at the rim and played harder than the opposition. Scoring in a variety of ways, he got putback layups, drive and scores, spot-up 3-pointers and post moves after pump fakes. If Menker can continue this level of play, Mason will be a team to watch in the GMC race that is sure to be competitive.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1705960"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The top wide receiver in the 2026 class, already committed to Ohio State for football, showed off his impressive athleticism on the hardwood in his Sophomore season debut. The change of direction and body control Henry shows is crazy impressive and this allows him to attack the basket and finish at the rim off drives and second chance opportunities. While it was a struggle for Withrow to score all night, Henry played his role to perfection and had the highlight of the game when he got a steal and threw it down with two hands in the fourth quarter. Obviously, his future lies on the gridiron, but Henry is one of the best athletes in Ohio and would be a highly coveted basketball recruit if that was his sport of choice.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1297004"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Crispus Attucks came over to Ohio and played with a lot of aggression and were disciplined on both ends of the court. Taking care of the basketball and getting after it defensively. Hurt was an impressive athlete who scored with the dribble drive game and in transition when the court opened up. The lefty also had quick change of pace and was a bursty athlete. His highlight of the game came on a drive here he euro stepped around a defender to finish with his right hand. Hurt also had an impressive lefty reverse layup using some english to spin it in during a big Crispus Attucks run.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656ab87e3c0fa"} /-->