Weekend Warm-Up: All In HoopFest
The All In HoopFest is a no-brainer event to attend for most Midwest programs this weekend. We’ll also be putting our boots on the ground in Louisville to provide coverage from Friday to Sunday.
In order to provide some semblance of a preview, here’s our Weekend Warm-Up, an article that provides context to a tournament through recruiting insight and general updates.
All In HoopFest
17U: No. 5, D Miller Elite
No. 7, Nova (Russell)
No. 11, Ohio Hoopsters – Nakasian
No. 12, Mid Ohio Pumas
No. 13, Apex
No. 18, Shining Star – Price
Cincinnati Rise, Cincy Lakers, Columbus 101, Dayton Nets, Hidden Gems Orange, Hidden Gems Black, JSBA, Ohio Ballstars, Ohio Crossover Athletics, Ohio Hoopsters – Bennett, Ohio Hoopsters – Running Rebels, Ohio Hoopsters – Columbus Kings, Ohio Varsity, Shining Star s – Mitchell, SMAC Rebels
16U: No. 4, Mid Ohio Pumas (Staib)
No. 8, Hidden Gems Black
No. 12, Mid Ohio Pumas Elite
No. 13, SMAC Primetime
Apex, Mid Ohio Pumas (Beard), Mid Ohio Pumas (Justice), Mid Ohio Pumas (Jayaraman), Ohio Ballstars, Ohio Force, Ohio Hoopsters – Running Rebels, Ohio Hoopsters – Jones, Ohio Valley Hidden Gems, Ohio Varsity, Shining Star – Price Red, Shining Star – Price White, SMAC Next Level
15U: No. 3, Ohio Hoopsters – Tillman
Apex, Cincy Lakers, Columbus 101, Hidden Gems Platinum, Mid Ohio Pumas (Seeman), Ohio Crossover Athletics, Ohio Varsity, Shining Star – Price Red, SMAC Attack
Nova (Russell) has a chance to be the top draw for coaches amongst Ohio teams at the tournament. The state’s no. 7 team is done on the Hoop Group circuit, which tends to hold events closer to the New England region of the States. Now, they’re back in the Midwest for a weekend. Anthony Mazzeo has joined the team and he provides consistent spot-up shooting for the crew. Mitchell Kershner is another sleeper on this team. The glue guy from Olentangy Liberty has been in contact with Hillsdale, Johns Hopkins, Gettysburg, Univ. of Chicago, Carnegie Mellon, Rochester, and Washington & Lee. Kershner carries a 4.4 GPA and scored a 34 on the ACT.
Continuing on some sleepers, let’s move over to Ohio Hoopsters – Nakasian, who finished 3-1 at the adidas Invitational. Coffman guard Will Hunter is a secondary ball-handler who can defend either guard spot with hassling ball-pressure. The scrappy prospect will be watched by the Univ. of Chicago, Ohio Wesleyan, Wittenberg, Ohio Northern, and Denison in Louisville. Teammate and 6’7” forward Grant Heileman also has most of the top in-state D-IIIs following him in Ohio Northern, Marietta, and Ohio Wesleyan. Additionally, Rose-Holman, Malone, and Christian Brothers will take a peak.
Pumas sharp-shooter Sean Marks will have Ohio Dominican and Ohio Wesleyan watching him this weekend. On top of that, Concord, Hillsdale, and Malone are likely to check him out. Marks tells us that he’s also heard from Mount Vernon Nazarene, Gannon, Goshen, and West Liberty.
For the first time in a while, we’ll also be able to check out the Cincy Lakers this weekend. Headlining that group is 6’5” wing/forward AJ Garrett, who has been talking to Morehead State, Stony Brook, and Miami (OH) lately.
Other programs with one standout 2019 prospect on board include Noah Pack‘s Ohio Crossover Athletics. The big man was spectacular last weekend and picked up interest from Hillsdale, Bellarmine, Kentucky Wesleyan, and Evansville over the last week.
Moving on, JSBA’s Tim Smith is a versatile 6’6” guard from Lakewood. Smith tells us that Georgian Court has offered and he’s been talking to Lake Erie, Seton Hill, Assumption, Nova Southeastern, Delaware, and Colgate.
Ohio Ballstars 6’4” wing Mike Hill added a Concord offer after the adidas Invitational, his first. Pikeville, Thomas More, Georgetown, Kentucky State, Midway, and Ohio Dominican, are interested in Hill.
Little Anderson changed over to the Michigan Warriors after a strong spring and June. He tells us that interest is bubbling up from Purdue Fort Wayne, Detroit, IUPUI, Tiffin, Wheeling Jesuit, and Slippery Rock.
As far as 16U teams go, Hidden Gems Black and Mid Ohio Pumas Elite both have various prospect worth checking out at this stage.
HG’s 6’9” center Caleb Terry truly stood-out last weekend in Indy for his shot-blocking and fluidity. He seems like a kid who could draw D-I offers by this time next year, so schools should get a head-start if possible. The word is that High Point, Wright State, Utah State, and UMASS Lowell will do exactly that in Louisville by watching him in action.
Meanwhile the Pumas have a couple kids of their own who are ready to start the recruitment process. Grant Whisman, a 6’7” stretch forward who already has three offers, will be watched by Indiana, Ohio State, Michigan, Miami (OH), Cleveland State, Wright State, Butler, Liberty, Ball State, Toledo, Fort Wayne, and Cedarville, per Middletown Madison head coach Jeff Smith.
Teammate and fellow Southwest Ohio 2020 prospect Alex Mangold will bring Miami (OH), Indiana Wesleyan, Northwood, Christian Brothers, and Concord to their sideline. He has additional early interest from Wright State and Northern Kentucky. Finally, Jack Pugh was often a man amongst boys as a 2021 prospect playing 16U ball in Indy. Purdue should be in to watch the Hilliard Bradley prospect.