Cincinnati’s Top Seniors This Season
Nothing more satisfying than a memorable senior season full of marquee performances and, most of all, wins. These standouts in the Greater Cincinnati area deserve recognition as they roll through their final year in dominant fashion.
Ibrahima Athie, 6’5” F, Deer Park
The CHL’s leading scorer and rebounder has risen to the occasion with frontcourt mate Joseph Hocker likely sidelined for the rest of the season. Athie is a versatile defender with intriguing athleticism and an ability to run the floor. Thrives when the game speeds up but can also provide second-chance scoring opportunities for the team.
DeMarco Bradley Jr., 5’7” PG, Taft
Bradley is a talented passer and point-of-attack defender. Able to make ball-handlers turn several times when he’s stranded on an island to defend. Plays with inspiring effort in their pressure defense. Sick running floater and Bradley is shooting the ball well this season. Talented passer who keeps everyone involved.
It’s tough to sell yourself as a basketball recruit at 5’7”. He will likely opt for football at the next level. But, boy oh boy, this kid is a difference-maker for the Senators.
Johnny Bultema, 6’7” F/C, Indian Hill
Bultema is a developing post prospect who possesses some shooting ability and a knack for scoring the basketball. He is averaging 15.1 points and 7.0 rebounds for an Indian Hill team that is hitting their stride, including a win over Reading last Friday.
D’Arris Dean, 5’11” G, Aiken
The unorthodox lefty scoring guard is shooting the 3-pointer much better this season for the Falcons. Dean rarely scores below 20 points a game, even if it requires a high volume of attempts for him to get there. Crafty around the basket and can heat up in a hurry.
Alex Dotson, 6’4” G, Purcell Marian
Dotson’s size, vision, academic stature, and defensive versatility amount to an intriguing unsigned prospect. He is the floor general for Purcell, our pick to represent Southwest Ohio in the Division III State Tournament. Controls pace as the point guard while being able to defend forwards. Averaging 13.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.0 assists.
AJ Garrett, 6’5” F, Purcell Marian
Garrett is a bouncy athletic forward with upside to develop into a more versatile offensive weapon. Shows a capacity to put the ball on the floor when he attacks the basket. Finishes over the top against opponents and is young for his grade level. Garrett keeps plays alive as a rebounder, averaging a team-high 7.2 boards. Also leads the Cavs at 13.3 points.
Nick Haddad, 5’9” PG, Turpin
Turpin is threatening for an Eastern Cincinnati Conference championship behind Haddad’s 16.6 points per game. The senior uses changes of speeds to get to his spots on the floor. Does a good job of keeping his dribble alive in the lane so he can make deliver creative assists late. Excellent snatch-back move that draws separation for his mid-range jumper.
D’Marco Howard, 6’2” G, Hamilton
Howard is scoring a GMC-best 20.0 points per game while also contributing 5.7 rebounds per. A physical combo guard with upside as a perimeter defender, Howard is one of Ohio’s top JUCO prospects. Able to get into the lane driving hard right. Tremendous athlete.
Brice Hill, 6’5” G/W, Seven Hills
Seven Hills’ season has been a bit up-and-down as they’ve dealt with a major injury. Yet, Hill has steadily contributed nearly 20 points a night and carried them to a 10-7 mark. The finesse three-level scorer is being recruited by Division II and III programs mostly. Often uses the pump fake to get past the first line of defense and has a creative pull-up and floater package.
Landen Long, 5’11” PG, Mason
Long provides outside shooting and trustworthy decision-making from the point guard position. Although he doesn’t put a lot of pressure on the defense coming downhill, Long consistently makes the right play — averaging less than two turnovers a night. Shooting exactly 40 percent from deep on a 12-3 team that should fight for a District Championship.
Javonta Lyons, 6’1” G/W, Purcell Marian
Lyons is one of the most efficient and powerful perimeter players you’ll find. An available senior, Lyons likes to bury his opponents under the basket using his unusual strength. From there the senior Cav is crafty and patient as a scorer. Shooting 61.5 percent on 13.1 points per game.
Miles “Deuce” McBride, 6’2” G, Moeller
After essentially missing his entire junior season with a foot issue, McBride is playing at an All-State level once again for the no. 1 team in Ohio. Terrific mid-range shooter who gets into the sweet spot using his first step or coming off a screen. McBride has command of this offense. At 2.8 steals and nearly five defensive rebounds a game, he’s back to playing at elite level on that end, too.
Noah Pack, 6’8” F/C, Georgetown
Pack pulled down his 1,000th rebound this season for Georgetown, about a year after reaching four-digits in the career scoring column. Pack is not only a dominant physical presence for Georgetown, he will also provide passing and floor-stretching ability at the 5 for Thomas More in college.
Alec Pfriem, 6’4” W/F, Moeller
Pfriem is no longer an unsung hero for Moeller. As a senior, the Bellarmine signee is leading the GCL-South in scoring while ranking second in rebounds and assists. A confident combo forward who scores it in a variety of ways. Can provide secondary ball-handling and play-making ability. Pfriem is getting into the lane and to the foul line at an impressive rate.
Greg Phelia III, 6’3” G, Walnut Hills
A transfer from Roger Bacon, Phelia is making an impression in his lone year with the Eagles. The fast lead guard is averaging 16.5 points for 12-5 Walnut Hills. Phelia can change pace well and is best at scoring within the arch, whether it’s a layup or pull-up.
Chris’seon Stringer, 6’3” G/W, Taft
Stringer is the swiss army knife of this State Championship contender. Although he starts on the wing, Stringer can be found defending post-up forwards and/or guiding Taft’s offense at the point guard spot. The Toledo football commit has an underrated skill-set when it comes to ball-handling and passing. Also leads opponents into foul trouble by welcoming contact on finishes.
Bash Wieland, 6’4” W, Lakota East
Wieland is scoring 20 points a game at a ridiculous clip — 60 percent on field goals, 45 percent on 3s, 81 percent at the line. The Bellarmine signee knows how to score within the flow of the offense while being an impact team defender. Wieland’s production will be crucial in the postseason and he has shown a tendency to step-up as a scorer in marquee matchups as of late (e.g. 26 points in a win versus Princeton last Friday).
Rodney Wiley, 5’11” G, Colerain
It has been another tough year for Colerain as the GMC gauntlet has been their down-fall. But, will someone please give this kid a chance at the next level? Wiley would be a tremendous spark plug scorer for a college program. The lefty understands how to get to his spots efficiently and is impossible to defend when his pull-up is going. Super fast and an underrated feel.