2019 Rankings Update: Top 20 NW Ohio Prospects
Northwest Ohio’s 2019 class — much like Ohio’s 2019 reputation as a whole — should be remembered for its depth. While there isn’t a Marc Loving or Dakota Mathias figure going high-major, there is scholarship level talent even on the…
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Continue ReadingNorthwest Ohio’s 2019 class — much like Ohio’s 2019 reputation as a whole — should be remembered for its depth. While there isn’t a Marc Loving or Dakota Mathias figure going high-major, there is scholarship level talent even on the back-end of this Top 20.
Also, some of the players on this list beg the question: What constitutes “northwest?” Garret Denbow from Ashland, for example, lives a far way from Toledo. So, we want to clarify: it depends on the district your high school competes in during the OHSAA postseason.
Javin Etzler | 6-7 PF | Convoy Crestview
Coming off a stand-out Final Four where he directed Crestview to a D-IV State Championship, Etzler established his place as the clear no. 1 in Northwest Ohio’s 2019 class. Terrific outside shooter as a trailing forward or someone who can put the ball on the floor and hit off-balanced contested pull-ups. Etzler can score it around the basket, too, with skill — reverse pivots and hook shots, for example. Miami (OH) signee.
Nathan Bruns | 6-7 PF | Marion Local
Bruns is Ohio’s highest ranked 2019 prospect who is signed to a Division II collegiate program, Findlay. Possesses command of the floor unlike any other forward in this class. Knock-down outside shooter off the catch. Bruns is a dangerous back-to-the-basket option from the mid-post or left block. Great decision-maker. He’s also a rangy defender with good instinct who covers space with length and good foot-speed.
Eddie Colbert | 6-6 PF | Whitmer
Colbert took yet another leap as a senior, becoming a more consistent outside shooter and adding elements to his off-the-bounce game. Terrific athlete who finishes above the rim with true explosion. Finishes everything inside. Gillette, Wayne State, Charleston, and Urbana have offered … just in the past 50 days. Lourdes and Northwood also extended offers over the summer.
Brandon Haraway | 6-2 G | Norwalk
Haraway, an Ashland signee, carries a reputation as one of Ohio’s most tenacious perimeter defenders. Phenomenal lateral quickness and shut-down ability at the point of attack. Haraway may not possess highlight-reel ball-handling ability, but he can get to the rack with power and speed.
Jackie Harris | 6-6 PF | Toledo St. Francis
One of the most productive 2019 prospects in the area, Harris scores the ball in bunches via the 3-point shot or post-up. Aggressive catch-and-shoot big that has also shown the ability to shift the defense with swing passes. Harris likes to dribble into a post-up after getting his defender off-balance with a pump fake. Rebounds pretty well. He will play his college ball at Oakland.
Jake Plantz | 6-3 SG | Genoa
Plantz was a multi-sport standout at Genoa who opted to play college basketball at Lake Erie. Using his strong frame and a signature spin move, Plantz thrives as a slasher. Defends guards with a level of physicality that throws opponents off their game and creates turnovers.
Ryan Nunn | 5-11 G | Findlay
There are few 2019 prospects with a better pull-up game than Nunn. He can stop and pop after barreling down the court at full-speed. Nunn likes to get into the mid-range for that shot but is capable of hitting them from deep, too. Strong body and very quick feet. The future Madonna Crusader uses his quickness to go after his man’s dribble and make them uncomfortable when handling the ball.
Jarod Schulze | 6-9 C | Minster
Schulze is a plodding big that can be very effective when you throw him the ball in the deep post. Scores the ball on quick moves but also likes to draw fouls with shot fakes. The St. Francis (IN) commit has become increasingly mobile since we started tracking him during 16U ball.
Garrett Denbow | 6-5 SF | Ashland
The highest-ranked unsigned senior in the region, Denbow holds an offer from Charleston that came this summer. Utilizes his size on the wing to be a good defender. Denbow can score it in a number of ways — outside spot shooting, mid-post, or slashing to the rim.
Trey Syroka | 5-10 PG | Whitmer
Shawnee State, Montevallo, and Notre Dame (OH) have recently extended offers to the top floor general in Toledo’s 2019 crop of talent. Syroka has the ability to keep his dribble alive against pressure and in the lane before capitalizing on the tiny passing windows that open up for a split second. Dynamic play-maker with a side-to-side dribble game. Defends with quickness. Excellent academic transcript.
Alek West | 6-3 G | Northview
West was the only Northwest Ohio prospect named First Team All-State for Division I this season. He was remarkably productive and instrumental to Northview’s undefeated regular season, leading the team in points, rebounds, and assists. A thick combo guard, West can go inside for creative floaters and to rebound in traffic. Defends wing-guards well because of his size. All-around player.
Owen Heigel | 5-10 PG | Ottawa Glandorf
Heigel, a Newcomer to the 2019 Rankings, impresses with his ability to shoot it from all over the floor. Makes tough shots off the dribble, especially on pull-back jumpers. Tough competitor. Shows good court sense on drive-and-kick passes.
Payton Moyer | 6-0 SG | Toledo St. John’s
Moyer recently committed to Capital, joining former SJJ teammate Ryan Christie at the Division III program. His biggest threat is as an outside shooter and he does a good job of actively searching for open spots on the court when he doesn’t have the ball. Likes to pull-up after one dribble once he scoots by the first line of defense with a shot fake. Strong guard who boxes out well. Good team defender.
Jordan Burton | 5-10 G | Cardinal Stretch
Burton is a creative mid-range scorer who can create space to shoot it with ball fakes and foot-work. Knows how to put arch on his finishing moves when floating the ball over the top of shot-blockers. The score-minded combo guard will play college ball at Notre Dame (OH).
Jared Wurst | 6-4 SF | Delphos St. John’s
Wurst is a big-bodied wing that can score the ball through contact at the basket. The future Ohio Northern Klondike will also provide outside shooting ability and a rebounding presence at his position. Knows how to play. Tough kid.
Adam Scott | 6-5 PF | Wapakoneta
Scott may fall on the under-recruited side of the spectrum because he didn’t play AAU this summer. But, our sources in rural Northwest Ohio tell us Scott has improved a lot since we last saw him play in his junior season. Capable post-up scorer with a lot of athleticism. He would be a steal for Division III programs.
Tehree Horn | 6-2 G | Southview
Horn can really score the ball off the dribble and has enough size to stroke mid-range jumpers over smaller guards. Smart kid who can play either guard spot — we like the pressure he puts on a defense as a primary ball-handler, given his ability to score it. Long body, slight frame.
Leon Hughes | 6-5 PF | Whitmer
Hughes is a lanky forward who provides defensive versatility. Completely capable of sliding his feet with wings and defending the dribble-drive. Hughes also rebounds the ball pretty well. He can also put the ball on the floor a little bit. Unselfish role player that remains unsigned.
Isaac Elsasser | 6-3 SF | Bowling Green
Elsasser is living the hometown dream by getting a spot on Bowling Green State University’s roster. He’s an efficient shot-maker with an ability to pull-up in the mid-range or hit outside jumpers. Fundamentally-sound player.
Jakiel Wells | 6-1 G | Toledo St. Francis
Wells uses quick hands and physicality to make life uncomfortable for opposing primary ball-handlers. While defense is his strength, Wells has also become a pretty good slasher. Likes to get into the middle of the lane for runners off the backboard. Solid rebounder.