GRBA Nationals: 2020 Report
It’s been a pleasure covering the class of 2020’s grassroots careers over the past three years. Your growth as players has inspired us to build a better website, and we sincerely mean that. In Fort Wayne, once again, the class…
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Continue ReadingIt’s been a pleasure covering the class of 2020’s grassroots careers over the past three years. Your growth as players has inspired us to build a better website, and we sincerely mean that.
In Fort Wayne, once again, the class continued to show its depth. Yet another tournament where we found rising seniors capable of continuing their career at the next level.
Breakout Performer
Cooper Parrott | 6-2 G | Willard / TNBA Ohio
Multi-sport prospect (football) who can play off the ball and provide scoring or make plays as the team’s ball-handler. Efficient scoring package when he puts it on the floor. Streaky shooter from range, but his release looks great. Uses screens well and reads the floor. Parrott showed finishing ability, which is where his athletic and strong frame came in handy. Guys bounce off him, not the other way around. Parrott picked off the ball in passing lanes a few times. He can defend most guards — whether quick or physical — because of his combination of size and quickness. Surefire Division II or NAIA recruit.
New Names
(to be clear: these kids are also Standouts)
Terry Baldridge | 6-8 F | Willard / TNBA Ohio
Versatile. Not sure whether Baldridge is a 3 or a 4. I’m sure he can play, though. And he stayed in front of wings all weekend.
Caused mismatches with his ability to put it on the floor and put forwards on their heels while defending in space. Effective at shooting it over the top once he’s into the short mid-range. Capable shooter. Thin. Displayed intriguing athleticism off the floor. Pretty fluid. Baldridge showed flashes of using his length to finish in traffic off one foot. Thrived in transition.
Mitch Heilman | 5-11 G | Ashland / Wooster Warriors
Heilman is a sound, solid guard who makes the right play consistently and spaces the floor with his consistent catch-and-shoot ability. Showed the athleticism and skill to finish in traffic on a straight-line-drive, often making a creative move at the last minute to free up the shot.
Domenic Farley | 5-10 PG | Briggs / Hidden Gems White
Farley executed an impressive game against a talented Nova backcourt. Used his speed to draw a second defender and consistently kicked to the open shooter. Although teammates didn’t connect on many 3-pointers, Farley made the right play every time and that matters. Slight of frame but fast and able to defend.
Savion Marshall-Hamilton | 6-6 C | Pickerington North / Nova (Alleyne)
A late-bloomer from an Ohio hotbed, Marshall-Hamilton is a name to mark down right away. Although he needs more experience to add polish as a screener and finisher, SMH possesses several intriguing tools. As a rebounder, he combines agile feet with a strong body. He routinely high points the ball and rebounds outside of his area. Showed the ability to cover the pick and roll several ways, even switching on to guards and riding them to the sideline. At the end of the day, though, it is SMH’s agility and strength that are most noteworthy.
Ezra McKee | 6-5 SF | Wooster / TNBA Ohio 16U
McKee consistently faced up and made a play while heading to the basket. Whether it was turning and facing from the elbow or short corner, we liked his playmaking once he put it on the floor. Slight of frame and apparently young for his grade. Shoots it pretty well.
First time seeing McKee for myself, but new Prep Hoops Ohio writer Fred Andrews spotlighted his play in Columbus last weekend, too.
Standout Point Guards and Combos
Tevin Jackson | 5-8 PG | Cleveland Central Catholic / TNBA Ohio
Jackson plays with the ball on a string and possesses a true feel for the game. Makes quick reaction reads with a live dribble, occasionally manipulating defenders with his eyes. Delivers on-target passes to shooters and guys running the floor. Handles the ball with pace. Limits turnovers.
Chase Toppin | 6-1 G | St. Ignatius / TNBA Ohio
Talented finisher. Sometimes when he’s finishing through contact, Toppin just spins the ball off the backboard without fully looking up. And he can do that with either hand consistently. Strong body. Fast with the ball as Toppin turns the corner and dusts defenders. High IQ kid from a strong high school program. Defends the ball extremely well and knows how to stay in position away from the ball. Competes. Could be recruited to play the 1 or 2.
Caleb Wallis | 5-7 PG | Jackson / Mid Ohio Pumas (Beard)
Wallis is a reliable decision-maker. You know what you’re getting from him every time he steps out there. Team guy that early-committed to Rio Grande last summer.
Wallis has become quicker as a slasher. Taking longer, more effective gather steps on finishes when he rips through for a straight-line-drive. Although he can’t quite challenge shots vertically, he bothers opponents by always staying attached to them on the drive.
Simon Blair | 5-9 PG | South Central / Wooster Warriors
Blair might not check every box when it comes to physicality and athleticism, but it isn’t out of the question for him to attract a scholarship. He’s that good.
In Fort Wayne, as always, he created mid-range jumpers and drove-and-kick. His ability to find shooters once he collapses the defense is elite. Jabs with quick hands to create steals. Thrived in Wooster’s switch-heavy defensive scheme by calling out actions and finding his man. Stays attached to his matchup at the point of attack. Strong, low center of gravity.
Chris Herbort | 6-2 G | Beavercreek / OEBA
A known shooter with range, Herbort showed another side to his arsenal by taking over playmaking duties with OEBA mid-game. He’s dynamic in that role because of his ability to pull-up or shoot with range, as well as pass. Good vision and he wants to make passes into tight windows. Strong kid who competes. Engaged defender who fights through actions to stick with his man.
Standout Wings
Caleb Piks | 6-4 SG | Mentor / TNBA Ohio
High energy defender who bother smaller guards with his ball pressure. Contests shots with a high hand. On the other end, Piks spreads the floor with his shooting ability. Occasionally sets screens as a pick and pop guy. Versatile. Shoots it extremely well and shows toughness when he gets to the basket.
Jayvon Maughmer | 6-5 SG | Chillicothe / Mid Ohio Pumas (Beard)
What more can I say? What more can he do? We’re going to miss watching Maughmer, to be honest. He just plays the game with such grace and skill. It’s poetic. Even his off-ball screens can be imaginative.
Maughmer also found his way to the foul line a lot this weekend. His changes of speeds and long arms led to several hacks around the basket. Made unselfish advance passes to push pace. Steady body language, always.
Kade Ruegsegger | 6-4 SF | Dover / Wooster Warriors
Ruegsegger has added significant size to his arms and upper body. He’s a completely different athlete than last season, yet has retained his shooting ability. The uptick in physical prowess allows Ruegsegger to provide defensive rebounding. As far as scoring, he doesn’t create a ton of separation off the dribble yet doesn’t always need it — Ruegsegger can simply shoot it over you because of his height and length.
Hunter Shedenhelm | 6-5 SF | Pickerington North / Nova (Alleyne)
Shedenhelm can get hot in a hurry from range, of course. And he did that again on Saturday. It was his finishing and driving ability, however, that stood-out. He finished with either hand in traffic. Shedenhelm can finish off two-feet with balance or speed into the lane and jump off one for the traditional layup. Made quick decisions with the ball.
Standout Forwards and Posts
Jonathan Manning | 6-6 PF/C | Midview / TNBA Ohio
Manning’s highlight of the weekend — a transition dunk through a body late Saturday afternoon — capsulated what he’s all about. Tireless energy. Running the floor. Fearlessness around the basket. Upside as an athlete.
Manning has a lean frame that will bulk up. Displayed touch around the basket on dump downs, often going to a simple and efficient over the shoulder baby hook. Active rebounder. Could become a productive rebounder and post defender at the next level when he adds size. Otherwise, becoming able to step out and hit shots will be key. Either way, an NAIA or D-II scholarship is feasible for Manning.
Victor Searls | 6-7 C | St. Charles / Nova (Alleyne)
Searls was absolutely burying opponents in Nova’s final pool play game. He’s automatic when he gets deep post position. Soft touch with the right hand and the plodding big is capable of moving others with his spin move. Effectively sealed defenders when diving to the rim as a screener in the pick and roll.
Kaveon Ross | 6-5 PF | Walnut Ridge / Hidden Gems Black
In a challenging matchup against Indy Heat EYBL, Ross wasn’t content watching the shoe-sponsoredd elites run up and down the floor on Hidden Gems. Ross competed. He always brings an edge and his engine never runs out of juice.
Explosive, yet thick — a combo that is an asset in the paint on finishes and rebounds. Actively pursues rebounds and competed against mid-major and high-major guys on the glass. Central State offered Ross on Friday.
Ben Westrick | 6-7 C | Ottawa Glandorf / Northwest Ohio Basketball Club
Westrick continued his strong play from a week ago, this time showing more pop as a defender. He pinned shots off the glass and was more present as a help-side defender at the rim. Displayed athleticism off the floor, which combined with his strong build is a scholarship-level combination. As we noted last week, Westrick is a skilled 5. He used spin moves and other creative post maneuvers to draw contact and get to the charity stripe.