Top 250 Expo Early Entries: 2021 Forwards
Prep Hoops Ohio’s Top 250 Expo isn’t this Sunday, or next Sunday, or the following, but the one after that. September 16 at Pickerington North. So, you have plenty of time to sign-up, and you can do that right here.
Wooster, Denison, Hiram, Marian, Marietta, Mount St. Joseph, Otterbein, Charleston, Mount Union, and Wittenberg have already RSVP’d for the showcase. You can play in front of them, and here’s the point of today’s article, also against legitimate competition. Nearly 50 players have signed up so far, most of which are bona fide college prospects, others with something to prove. There’s room for plenty more to join, and here’s the sophomore forwards you’d play against.
Tayt Birnesser, 6’3” W/F, Columbus Grove
Birnesser is a faceup/stretch forward that might lack in height but has a really reliable jump shot. He doesn’t have much wiggle, but he can get the ball up the floor as a ball-handler and make simple moves attacking the basket. He moves the ball well in a motion offense and uses his developed frame to grab rebounds.
Jack Pugh, 6’5” W/F, Hilliard Bradley (2021 ranking: #9)
The top ten 2021 prospect projects at a MM/HM level at the moment. When Pugh is on, his athleticism and energy is an absolute problem for opponents. He rebounds the ball at a high level, often scoring multiple points on second chance opportunities. Pugh also scores on physical straight-line drives and the fastbreak. He can defend almost every position. The next step in his game is finding comfort around the perimeter to create his own shot, a skill we’ll monitor closely at the Expo.
Aidan Noyes, 6’4” W/F, Moeller (#59)
Noyes, who also thrives in baseball, jumped on our radar in July with his scoring ability from the perimeter and graceful athleticism. He is a faceup forward capable of defending the 3 as well. Noyes has decent quickness and bounce. He gets to the rim off his pump fake but can also knock down shots from outside.
Nolan Burney, 6’5” F, Carlisle
Although Burney’s shooting splits weren’t off the charts, 47-23-58, he started all but two games as a freshman forward. His greatest impact was on the boards at 4.3 rebounds per game. He also dropped in an even five points per game. The Expo will be our first time watching the young big.
Others: William Yontek (St. Ignatius), Carter McCorkle (Wheelersburg), Elijah English (Bishop Ready), Henry Moore (Beavercreek)
As more sign-ups come in, you can follow @PrepHoopsTop250 on Twitter for nationwide updates. Or go to the Likes on my personal account to see the Ohio-specific sign-ups, those are the only Likes I have, so you won’t have to deal with a jumbled mess.