Recruiting Report: Avon Lake duo of Jordan Ball (2018), Luke Martinsen (2018)
One of the fastest guards in Northeast Ohio with ball in their hands has to be Jordan Ball, a 5’10” jet from Avon Lake.
Ball’s entering his third year as a starter for the Shoremen and is coming off an all-conference and all-Lorain County junior year and during games can become a blur to opponents.
Ohio Dominican and Charleston, have contacted Ball about the possibility of continuing his career in college, which his goal. And in working toward that goal he spent the summer adding muscle and strength to his 145-pound frame by lifting weights and working out.
“I’ll bring scoring ability and ability to get the lane and find teammates and play defense along with toughness,” Ball said when asked what he’ll bring to a college program.
Entering his third year as a starter his coach Eric Smith said Ball has embraced a leadership role on this year’s team, leading the group in workouts.
Ball is definitely one of the fastest players in Northeast Ohio with the ball.
“He might be the fastest kid I’ve ever seen with the ball in his hands going east to west. Keeping him in front of you is very difficult,” thanks to ultra-quick first step, noted Smith.
And despite being undersized he has the knack to finish inside amongst bigger players.
“He understands how to use his body. He’s only 5-10, but he can get off the ground, he can use his body and he can finish as well,” Smith said of Ball.
Ball is a good enough ball-handler to break presses single-handedly, according to his coach, but in repeated viewings, he does not strike one as a dazzler with the ball. His speed also allows him to defend the court baseline to baseline.
“Defensively he’s pest. His feet are really good and his anticipation. He can be a one-man press,” said Smith.
Ball will have to work on his outside shooting, but Smith believes he can develop that skill.
“It’s just repetition and getting out there and practicing,” Smith said.
Ball’s been able to rely on his peed to get his shots thus far in his career. But as he moves up the competitive ladder he’ll have to develop a more reliable jump shot.
“That’s what he’s worked on all summer long,” Smith said of Ball’s time in the gym working on his shooting.
Another Avon Lake prospect is Luke Martinsen (2018), an athletic 6’8” big who has made great strides in improving his game.
“He had an outstanding summer for us. He’s starting to develop for us,” Smith said. “He’s a legitimate 6-8.”