Rankings Overview: Top 10 Backcourts
A weeklong series of Rankings Overview content will answer various questions about the upcoming high school season regarding college talent and teams to watch, for both fans and scouts. Specifically: Who are the 10 most talented teams? Who are the 10 most…
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Continue ReadingA weeklong series of Rankings Overview content will answer various questions about the upcoming high school season regarding college talent and teams to watch, for both fans and scouts.
Specifically:
- Who are the 10 most talented teams?
- Who are the 10 most talented frontcourts and backcourts?
- Which teams are deepest in college talent?
- Which programs are on the rise?
- Who are the most talented small schools?
We’re not just pulling names out of a hat or going on hunches, either. Instead, we’ve got a formula. True science coming atcha!
Here’s how it works: every ranked player is assigned a numerical value based on their rank. For example, there are 200 players in the 2019 Prospect Rankings and prospect no. 1 counts for 200 points, no. 2 counts for 199, all the way down to no. 200 counting for 1 point. In the 2020 Prospect Rankings, the no. 1 player counts for 173 points because there are 173 ranked prospects. For 2021, there are 106 players.
So, we’ve totaled the values for each team and pulled which teams ranked highest in said categories. For example, Hamilton has 401 total points from D’Marco Howard (no. 68 in 2019 = 133 points), Jaylen Robinson (104 points), Trey Robinson (134 points), and Roemello Diablo (27 points). That also accounts for 237 backcourt points, 164 frontcourt points, and 164 rising teams points, which we’ll explain more on Friday.
If you can’t tell, the process of it was super boring, unless you’re a real nerd like me. But the results are interesting! For example, we can consider just the point guards and two-guards to determine the best backcourts in Ohio. Considering the importance of guard-play in high school ball, this should be a strong indicator of success.
#1 Pickerington Central: 516 points
Point guards: Javohn Garcia + Tahleik Walker
Guards: Jaidon Lipscomb + JaJuan “Jay” Rodgers + Conner Maciag
Pickerington Central finds themselves at the top of their third list of the week. There isn’t a ton left to say, so let’s just hit on their seniors with a little more depth here:
- Garcia is a preseason Mr. Basketball candidate after averaging 12.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 4.5 APG as a junior. The Miami (OH) verbal commit stuffs the stat columns while also being a poised floor general who can control pace on offense and make opponents uncomfortable with his length on defense.
- A year after being a spark-plug off the bench, we expect Lipscomb’s catch-and-shoot ability to be a more featured part of the offense. Talented shooter with deep range, a quick release, and an unwavering willingness to shoot.
- Rodgers is transferring in from Springfield and it’s hard to project how his eligibility will be legislated. The score-first guard’s strength is mid-range shooting off the dribble. He could be their primary creator when Garcia catches his wind on the bench.
#2 St. Vincent-St. Mary: 511 points
Point guards: Chris Painter + Isaiah Ingol + Seth Wilson
Guards: Lunden McDay
The reigning Division II State Champions, who have been moved up to Division I for Competitive Balance, will replace their starting point guard with several ball-handlers. Last season, Scott Walter and Wilson acted as point guards in tandem and we could see Painter stepping into that place. Meanwhile, their collective 3-point shooting will be very good this season considering McDay’s strides in that area — a guy capable of hovering around 20 points a night this season.
#3 St. Edward: 505 points
Point guards: Montorie Foster + Lawson Nash
Guards: Demetrius Terry + Grant Huffman
While Ed’s had a lot of balance last season between the guards and forwards, they’ll be a more perimeter-oriented team this season, most likely. We’d think a lineup with Foster, Terry, Huffman, Devontae Blanton, and freshman Bryan Flannery would be their most dangerous.
#4 Trotwood: 462 points
Guards: Amari Davis + Carl Blanton + Sammy Anderson
Surprise, surprise: Trotwood has the perimeter assets to apply defensive pressure, create high-percentage looks on offense, and put up close to triple-digits in several games this season. Davis, a Green Bay commit, has a chance to bring the Mr. Basketball award to the 937 after averaging 21.0 PPG, 6.4 RPG, and 5.1 SPG last season.
#5 Coffman: 452 points
Point Guards: Dom Penn + Keaton Turner
Guards: Derek Van Vlerah + Will Hunter + Luke Bartemes
The Rocks have the second best backcourt in Central Ohio. The group of upperclassmen should give them the hope of making a deep postseason run in Division I. First of all, Penn is very hard to stay in front of off the dribble. If the others can provide consistent outside shooting and defensive prowess, Coffman could beat anybody on a given night.
#6 Moeller: 431 points
Guards: Miles “Deuce” McBride + Jake Younkin + William McCracken
After McBride played in just two games because of injury last season, this is pretty much an entirely different group from last season’s championship roster. But, that doesn’t mean we don’t know what to expect from these components.
McBride, a West Virginia commit, is going to insure their offense’s cohesiveness while being one of the state’s best defenders. Younkin is a tough guard who can contribute in several areas while being a knock-down shooter. McCracken could receive spot minutes, along with the unnamed players here — Michael Shipp (probable starter), Blake Lloyd, and Brad Colbert.
#7 Toledo St. John’s: 420 points
Point Guards: Dimitri Mitsopoulos
Guards: Payton Moyer + Caleb Smith + Brady Lichtenberg + Thomas Zsiros
St. John’s will need several players, but mostly Moyer and Lichtenberg, to take a big leap forward as scorers. Both appear capable. Another factor to consider is the uniquely undersized Three Rivers Athletic Conference in NW Ohio. While Whitmer and Toledo St. Francis will have a size advantage against the Titans, they should be able to trot out lineups with four of these players in crunch time.
#8 Solon: 394 points
Guards: Mike Bekelja + Trent Williams
Solon remains securely in the discussion for the best backcourt in Ohio after losing Sincere Carry, a First Team All-State selection. In Bekelja and Williams, they bring back two D-II commits who averaged a collective 34.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.7 assists last year. Both have the capability to take over games with their scoring. Expect Williams to do a little more off the dribble this season while maintaining his responsibility to defend the opponents’ best guard.
#9 Brush: 343 points
Point Guards: DJ Dial
Guards: Andre Harris + Jalen Dial
Big John Hugley, a 6’9” junior center and D-I recruit, will be Brush’s most sizable advantage this season. Brush’s perimeter talent. though, will also have to be dealt with. DJ Dial is an excellent point guard at this level who controls pace and wants the ball in crucial moments. Harris, a Wright State commit, is a lengthy defender and slasher. Also, expect freshman Elmore James to be in the mix this season.
#10 Harvest Prep: 338 points
Point Guards: Brandon Beavers + CJ Anthony
Guards: Soul Hines
Harvest Prep is the sole representative for the small schools in this list. Considering the importance of guard play, we believe this trio should get them back to the State Final Four in Division III this year. Anthony and Hines should handle the scoring while Beavers paces the team as a primary ball-handler.