Ohio’s Sunday Standouts from Flyin’ to the Hoop
Ten OHSAA teams took the stage at Flyin’ to the Hoop Sunday with many of the state’s best recruits headlining those squads. The scores: Taft over Stivers, 66-59 Chaminade Julienne over Buchtel, 60-59 Crestview over Minster, 71-63 Winton Woods over…
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Continue ReadingTen OHSAA teams took the stage at Flyin’ to the Hoop Sunday with many of the state’s best recruits headlining those squads.
The scores:
- Taft over Stivers, 66-59
- Chaminade Julienne over Buchtel, 60-59
- Crestview over Minster, 71-63
- Winton Woods over Lebanon, 54-35
- Garfield Heights over Wayne, 64-62
We’re still trying to figure out how Garfield Heights and Chaminade Julienne won those games. Both trailed for long stretches and it took late-game heroics from lead guards — Meechie Johnson and Milton Gage — to erase the deficit. Buchtel, on the other hand, showed that they could become a buzzsaw in Division II as their youth continues to blossom.
Taft and Crestview proved they should be considered, maybe, the top team in their OHSAA divisions. Both overcame a spirited effort from quality opponents on Sunday. Crestview was especially impressive. While Minster was able to match Crestview’s size in theory, the Etzler brothers were a mismatch because they forced Minster to defend in space. Their forwards’ ability to stay in motion in the halfcourt and beat their matchups up the floor resulted in wide-open looks for guys who are no. 1 and no. 2 in the scouting report.
Now, the Sunday Standouts:
Nekhi Smith (2020), 6’6” F, Taft
stats: 25 points, 7 rebounds
The ascending junior prospect scored the ball efficiently for the Senators and maximized his size advantage on contested looks. His jump shot, which he’s in the process of extending beyond the arch, was money on turn-arounds and pull-ups from the elbow. Smith is a face-up forward who assists teammates by making himself available when they drive. Very comfortable in the open floor as a passer and ball-handler.
It was difficult to get a look at his defensive game as he’s used as a centerfield defender in their different looks. Smith, however, did a good job of making deep outlets off the defensive glass.
Trevon Ellis (2020), 6’3” G, Stivers
stats: 10 points, 10 assists, 7 rebounds
Ellis, in the third quarter especially, picked apart the Taft 2-3 zone with his drop-off passing ability and changes of speed as a ball-handler. Big guard with both an effective hesitation move and the ability to decelerate on his gathers. Those gear shifts combined with his upper body were important for him, as he didn’t create much space against Taft’s quickness. Either by assist or his own basket, Ellis was responsible for all but 17 of their points and he single-handedly kept them in it for three quarters.
He anticipates well on defense and came up with a couple steals by beating others to the spot, despite not having elite quickness. Boxes out tremendously and rebounds in traffic. Ellis is also a 4.0 student who scored a 26 on his first ACT attempt.
Demarco Bradley Jr. (2019), 5’7” PG, Taft
stats: 6 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists
Whether it’s pushing the pace off a long rebound, breaking a press after one crossover, or winning the race to a loose ball, Bradley’s speed was a difference-maker. On the other end, he makes ball-handlers turn constantly and has shown he will pounce on the rock if it comes loose. Bradley likes to make passes to forwards once he leaves the ground and gets a shot-blocker to jump with him. Although he’s considered a football lean, Bradley will be the key to a Taft postseason run.
Chris Livingston (2022), 6’5” G/W, Buchtel
stats: 19 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists
The crown jewel of Ohio’s 2022 class, Livingston didn’t disappoint in his first Flyin’ appearance. Livingston is a superior athlete who also excels in the mental part of the game with his passing and killer instinct in crunch time. Elite quickness out of cuts and off the ground for a 6’5” frosh. His one-hand floater, layups, and contested pull-ups were never going to be blocked because of his left and hangtime. Crafty scorer inside the arch with great footwork. Made a couple tremendous passes while airborne.
Livingston also defended multiple positions equally well. Protected the rim and rebounded with his quick jump. Went coast-to-coast at will towards the end of the fourth quarter.
Tae Perrie (2021), 5’11” PG, Buchtel
stats: 12 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists
Perie is a left-handed distributor with a natural feel. Used the bounce pass well when trying to thread the ball inside. Converted a couple graceful finishes in traffic early before scoring exclusively from outside after that. Remained confident despite struggling to connect on 3-pointers — the young guard’s biggest weakness right now. He can, however, get to the rim. Handles the ball with pace and has it on a string. Leaves his feet to make kick-outs. Good use of the pro hop and doesn’t force shots if the defense plays him well.
Kalen Etzler (2021), 6’8” W/F, Crestview
stats: 23 points, 3 rebounds, 5 blocks
We’ve seen enough. Etzler will likely elevate to the no. 1 spot in the 2021 Prospect Rankings in our next update. At 6’8” and possibly still room to grow, the sophomore has stupendous length that he optimized to block shots, deny post entries from guards, and convert tough pull-ups — his denial was a big reason Minster didn’t have more points in the paint. He is now dropping 3-pointers with greater consistency. Used the pump fake well around the arch. Underrated passer who has a nice feel for the game.
Javin Etzler (2019), 6’7” W/F, Crestview
stats: 20 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists
Miami (OH) is welcoming one of the state’s most consistent 3-point shooters. Not only was Etzler hitting spot-ups, he also drained a step-back in transition and showed a lot of comfort pulling up. Cleverly uses off-ball screens by reading his defender. He followed the gameplan in defending the post by fighting to front Schulze and doubling on the catch in certain situations.
He will likely defend 4s at the next level and forcing bigs to defend in space will be an asset in certain matchups. Etzler did a nice job of pushing pace when he corralled defensive boards, which completely flipped the mismatch on Schulze. They scored with great efficiency when he led the break off the glass.
Jarod Schulze (2019), 6’9” C, Minster
stats: 17 points, 9 rebounds
Schulze’s near double-double wasn’t his biggest impact, it was actually the threat of him that opened things up for Minster. Crestview’s entire defense shaded towards him to deny post entries. His gravitational pull left opposite wing shooters defenseless. When the St. Francis (IN) commit found the ball, he went through the defender’s chest and finished at an efficient clip. Really consistent winning one-on-one position.
Mike Ketner (2019), 6’0” PG, Minster
stats: 15 points
Other than his late-game attempt to bring Minster back with 30-foot heaves, Ketner scored very efficiently. He also ensured quality looks for their offense in the second half by directing traffic and securely handling the ball. Ketner made a couple bombs off a face-up dribble to go along with challenging layups. He should be able to defend D-III guards, but he’s more equipped to make an offensive impact.
Meechie Johnson (2021), 6’1″ G, Garfield Heights
stats: 26 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
Through three quarters, there simply wasn’t a lot of life out of this Garfield Heights team. They needed a spark. Then, Meechie Johnson stepped up to the plate. The current no. 1 prospect in our 2021 rankings scored 16 points in the quarter and connected on two crucial assists in the waning moments also. His speed was a factor in passing lanes as they went to a fullcourt press, too.
But the indelible moment that may never leave my memory happened with less than 30 seconds left, the Bulldogs trailing by three (courtesy of SUV TV)…
Big time players make big time plays. Meechie Johnson with the clutch 5 points as Garfield Heights steals one just before the buzzer at @FlyinToTheHoop@sonnyjohnson32 @HWbball15 @MarcGivlerBG @GarfieldHts @neoyouthelite @EricHortsman11 #FTTH2019 #SUVtv #ABACE pic.twitter.com/TWToEOx8MU
— SUVtv (@SUVtv) January 21, 2019
Phenomenal.
Also, his first step and ability to stop on a dime makes his pull-up jumper so difficult to defend.
Robert Cole (2019), 6’5″ F, Wayne
stats: 20 points, 6 rebounds
Cole is a principled player who put on a clinic in post defense fundamentals. He’s a surprisingly strong kid that isn’t moved easily by larger forwards — solid base. He always gets on the ground for loose balls and won a couple multi-player rebound scraps under the basket, too. But — we’re burying the lead — Cole made three 3-pointers. Showing progress in that area of the game should continue to open up Division III opportunities. Very willing screener.
Brison Waller (2019), 6’8″ F, Garfield Heights
stats: 10 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks
Waller was their most consistent player with his ability to change the game with size and athleticism at the basket. Played hard all game and utilized his length and second jump ability to block shots and rebound. Waller crucially kept a couple offensive possessions alive on the glass. Looked comfortable turning and hitting a 15-foot jumper in the first quarter.
Waller should be able to make an immediate impact on the defensive end at the next level with his ability to cover in space and block shots. Becoming a consistent threat to hit jumpers would be a bonus. He’s off to Northwest Florida State next year, a JUCO.