A look At Notable Backcourts: Central Ohio
The month is September, which is crazy to thing. It seems like yesterday and we were in the midst of spring grassroots time of the year. With that being said, high school season is right around the corner. Exciting as…
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Continue ReadingThe month is September, which is crazy to thing. It seems like yesterday and we were in the midst of spring grassroots time of the year.
With that being said, high school season is right around the corner. Exciting as that sounds, it’s time we start looking at what’s to be expected. In this write up I provide a look at some backcourts in the Central Ohio area to watch for. Of course there are many more, but here are a few to key in on!
• Jalen Sullinger & Isaac Settles (Thomas Worthington): Sullinger and Settles very well could be the top backcourt duo in Central Ohio this coming season. Two knockdown shooters that can get their own bucket off the dribble as well. Both players are capable of adding 18 PPG and are a spark whenever on the court. Settles provides more length and has the traits to be a big factor on defense when the motor is there. Settles and Sullinger I expect to terrorize opposing defenses this year in the half court.
• Eli Burke & Cali Davis (Africentric): Eli Burke and Cali Davis are the two guards at the helm for Africentric, a school that produces some pretty good guards. Both with another year under their belt, should be ready to help the Nubians make some potential noise in the D3 side of things. The nice thing about this backcourt is when one player doesn’t have it, the other one can step in. Both players play alike and love to dribble into their shot. Burke is a crafty ball handler that puts it on a string eventually creating space and getting a bucket. Cali Davis brings a tough mindset, not afraid to finish through contact despite a size differential. These two will be ones to watch this winter in the City league.
• Trevell Adams & Taquan Simmington (South): The most athletic combo in the backcourt likely attends Columbus South. Adams was key off the bench last season, and could have started for many programs around the state. Trevell and Taquan are two guards that can do damage at the rim, and get to it with spin moves or a crossover to create space. Both guards play lockdown defense, which will be a big factor this coming season. I look forward to seeing the stat lines, as both players work hard, rebound, score and block shots/create turnovers. This combo is a two-way nightmare for other teams.
• Jack Santa-Emma & Jackson Izzard (Jonathan Alder): Jonathan Alder has a nice duo of a facilitator and a scoring minded guard. Santa-Emma really gets things going for the Pioneers. He brings grit to the game, gets teammates involved and runs the offense. Jackson Izzard is one of the more underrated 2021 prospects in Central Ohio. Izzard can score it from all over and is a spot up shooter. Izzard isn’t the most athletic, but still allows himself to finish through the lane in a variety of ways. The Pioneers season will go as these two do.
• Conner Maciag & Tahleik Walker (Pickerington Central): Walker is a “veteran” on this Pick Central team in terms of playing big time minutes. Maciag is as well in his own right, but not as a starter. This season the senior Maciag should step into a starting role, which will give a Pick Central a solid backcourt, per usual. Maciag can work with or without the ball, and finds himself open often. Conner has came a way scoring on-ball, which will be huge. Walker will do a lot of the ball handling duties and bring leadership to the court for the Tigers. As well as the ability to drill the open jumper and finish tough.
There are quite a few more back court combos, especially what Hilliard Bradley can throw out there with Matt Allocco, A.J. Mirgon and Keaton Norris.