Coaches for a Cure Team MVPs

The majority of Central Ohio Division I regional championship contenders were on display at the second annual Capital City Coaches for a Cure Classic. Plus Centerville, Springfield, and St. Edward made the trip to Capital University for a trio of intriguing non-conference matchups. In this piece, we will hit on the most valuable player from each team. Be sure to check out the game snippets for context, as stats and evaluations are always influenced by how the game was played. <h4 style="text-align: center">Columbus South over Johnstown, 65-42 The first half was an exercise in patience for South, who showed the ability to stay calm against zone. After the break, they forced Johnstown to play their pace which is when the game got out of hand. South held a notable athleticism advantage.</h4> <h6 class="p1"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/marcus-johnson-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Marcus Johnson</a> (2020) | 6-3 SF | Columbus South stats: 10 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists</h6> Johnson has a long-standing reputation as an elite defender and athlete. He has needed to improve as a shooter, though. Well. Johnson’s jumper looked fantastic. He hit catch-and-shoot from distance while converting pull-ups with and without contest. Showed good touch in the paint, too. The unsigned D-I recruit consistently made smart advance passes in transition. Showed patience against the zone look. His speed allows him to show and recover on defense — he’s everywhere. <h6 class="p1">Gavin Foe (2021) | 6-1 PG | Johnstown stats: 13 points, 5 rebounds</h6> Foe put himself squarely on the map. A big guard with pop off the floor and an IQ. Foe made plays with a live dribble, mostly finding shooters. Made a few impressive late kick-outs. Finishes with his hand above the rim. Scored contested layups by hanging in the air. His shot looks terrific, although he mostly drove Saturday. <h4 style="text-align: center">Gahanna over Walnut Ridge, 53-50 Gritty game where Walnut Ridge tried to punk Gahanna. For the most part, Gahanna absorbed every punch and fought back. Walnut Ridge played a lot of one-on-one basketball while Gahanna ran a lot of high pick-and-roll. Gahanna won on a 3-point buzzer-beater.</h4> <h6 class="p1"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/zane-leitwein/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Zane Leitwein</a> (2020) | 6-2 SG | Gahanna stats: 19 points, 4 rebounds</h6> The unsigned senior is an efficient player who can provide scoring on the wing. Shoots it well and has nice touch on mid-range shots. Solid size and athleticism for the Division III level. He’s a bendy and agile athlete capable who can sit down and defend. Leitwein also hustles for loose balls and rebounds. Having played for a low-profile grassroots team his whole career, Leitwein has slipped through the cracks. A big performance at this event, though, should jump-start his recruitment. <h6 class="p1"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/voncameron-davis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">VonCameron Davis</a> (2020) | 6-5 SF | Walnut Ridge stats: 27 points, 6 rebounds</h6> Davis, per usual, scored in a variety of ways. He is a threat as a 3-point shooter, slasher from the perimeter, mid- or low-post, and in transition. In all situations, the lefty shows advanced foot-work and touch. Powerful kid who figures to play early at Kent State. Almost all of his points were a byproduct of sheer talent and ability to create one-on-one. <h4 style="text-align: center">Pickerington Central over Springfield, 83-65 Breakneck pace. Both teams wanted to run. Most shots came in the paint. Pick Central only has six guys they can play, but that small group was just more talented than their opponent.</h4> <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/garner-wallace/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Garner Wallace</a> (2021) | 6-5 SF | Pickerington Central stats: 27 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists</h6> While Wallace is accustomed to scoring 20-plus, he did so today in a more well-rounded fashion. The multi-sport recruit shot 100-percent on four 3-pointers. Wallace also showed more change of pace ability, breaking down defenders with choppy steps before slipping past. Finishes a lot at the front of the rim. Makes good decisions at full-speed. Versatile defender equally equipped to defend quick guards and big wings. <h6>Larry Stephens (2020) | 6-1 SG | Springfield stats: 15 points, 10 rebounds</h6> Toledo football signee. Stephens created offense in one-on-one situations by creating separation or just scoring over good defense. Hits pull-ups in rhythm. Very strongly built guard who can go inside to score or rebound. Finishes through contact. <h4 style="text-align: center">Bradley over St. Edward, 60-50 A halfcourt game between two Division I state championship contenders. This was a tough, disciplined ball game where all field goals were earned. Referees took over late, unfortunately, calling it way too tight in the final four minutes.</h4> <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/matt-allocco/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Matt Allocco</a> (2020) | 6-4 PG | Bradley stats: 29 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists</h6> Allocco's progression as a shooter remains the story of his senior campaign. (At least individually. Bradley's 7-0 start with wins over Thomas Worthington, Pickerington North, and St. Edward is the real story.) He shot it comfortably off the dribble, from the free throw line, from distance, and fading away in the paint. Displayed terrific use of the pivot foot after picking us his dribble within eight feet of the rim. Plays with balance and scores over the top. Paced the team and called out defensive coverages. <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/grant-huffman/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Grant Huffman</a> (2020) | 6-4 SG | St. Edward stats: 17 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists</h6> Huffman fulfilled a number of roles as the Davidson signee showcased versatility and well-rounded game. As a scorer, his shooting stroke looks clean. He got to the rim at will, often drawing a shooting foul by hanging in the air and not shying away from contact. Superb passer. He sees the floor, anticipates cuts, and can thread the needle. Huffman was maybe more impressive on defense. His instincts and length caused turnovers in the passing lanes. He contains the dribble very well. May be able to defend two or three positions at the next level. <h4 style="text-align: center">Pickerington North over Centerville, 62-47 A defensive battle where the 3-point shooting of Pickerington North made the difference. Nothing came easy for Centerville in the second half. One team made shots, the other didn't.</h4> <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/casey-george/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Casey George</a> (2021) | 5-10 PG | Pickerington North stats: 20 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists</h6> George is a crafty lead guard who uses subtle hesitations and body control to get in the lane. Showcased a variety of touch shots in the shallow mid-range, usually with a body draping him from behind. Set-up shooters with on-time kick-outs. Made the extra pass. Competitive spirit. Draws contact on layups. George — with improved quickness and strength — is much more dynamic with the ball than he was last year. <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mo-njie/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mo Njie</a> (2020) | 6-9 C | Centerville stats: 12 points, 5 rebounds</h6> Njie aggressively attacked the rim when he found the ball inside. He finished several two-hand dunks and scored at a good clip over the shoulder. Njie protected the rim without fouling, tallying a few blocks and even forcing air-ball layups that sailed out of bounds. Made a nice interior pass after corralling an offensive rebound. Didn't struggle to catch the ball.