Newark has been the talk of central Ohio this season as they appear to be the favorite to emerge out of the central region this year. With a Quackenbush on the sidelines and a Quackenbush on the court, the Wildcats are tough to beat. Jake Quackenbush Jake Quackenbush 6'3" | SF Newark | 2026 State OH has taken his game to new heights this year as a tough wing who can shoot the cover off the basketball, competes for loose balls and knows where to be defensively. A game that should translate to the college level, Thomas More has had a lot of success with players in the OCC and I expect Quackenbush to follow in the steps guys like Casey George and Colin McClure have carved.

Quackenbush is the next guy for Newark that you know will just help you win games. He does everything right, plays the entire game, and shows no signs of fatigue. He is a strong and tough player. He was able to use this against the height of Toledo St. Francis to battle on the block and boards. Then, on offense, he finished so well around the rim. With contact, through traffic, and from tough angles. He can shoot it, so you can’t leave him open. If you know Newark and the program history it has, you know the type of player Quackenbush is. Impressive 23 points and 11 rebounds in a tough win for 13-0 Newark.

An old school type of player, Quackenbush uses the mid-range shot to his advantage as he hit some crazy turnaround shots on Saturday to bring Newark back into the game. With soft touch and the size to rise up over guard sized defenders, Quackenbush is a tough match-up and with a lot of returning production, I expect Newark to be back near the top of Columbus Division I rankings next season as well.

I’m a big fan of the way Quackenbush competes on the court as a wing forward who flat out produces. Able to knock down shots from the perimeter, if Quackenbush has the space the fire away from 3-point range, it’s probably going in. Also a skilled player in the mid post area, Quackenbush can get physical with smaller defenders and punish them with his physicality and shot-making ability. This is a player where you know what you are going to get from him at the college level and won’t be disappointed with his production.

A pure bucket getter from the wing, Quackenbush was carrying a Newark squad without their star senior Braylon Morris Braylon Morris 6'1" | CG Newark | 2025 State OH and kept the game tight throughout against a more talented Akron Buchtel squad. I was impressed with how Quackenbush moved without the ball in his hands, executing set plays for him to receive the ball and score either off a 3-pointer or a post up touch. The wing is an excellent set shooter and also has soft touch from the 10-15 foot range by shooting over smaller defenders. Once Morris comes back I expect Newark to be a tough out once again in central Ohio.