REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio—In an era almost devoid of any commitment to skill development, the annual Ohio Girls Basketball Report Skills and Evaluation Camp is a breath of fresh air. It’s also a setting for a glimpse of the next generation of players in the talent laden Buckeye State. From director Tom Jenkins opening sermon to the campers and their parents to the focused and intense station work, players are reminded of not just what to do…but exactly how to do it as well.
For the 15th consecutive year Jenkins and his staff took a page out of the “old school” book teaching and drilling the fundamentals to 264 campers over a two day period. Athletes represented the 2017, 18 and 19 classes and clearly demonstrated the tide is rising once again in a state with deep tradition and accomplishment.
While we were on hand for just a part of the day one action, we got a good look at some promising prospects that should keep recruiters of all levels punching Ohio addresses into their GPS for years to come. Here are some standouts and quickhitters who caught our eye last Saturday in Reynoldsburg.
Walk in any gym and Taiyer Parks is going to catch your eye. The 2019, 6-1 forward has the size and build that coaches dream about and she has it already as she enters the eighth grade next fall. Calling North Royalton home, Parks already has plenty more to call upon than just her physical attributes. There’s an assertive approach to her play and a willingness to attack on the catch. Some ballhandling is already in place that even allowed her to take it coast to coast on one occasion. She’s comfortable from 15 feet but able to convert the high post drive as well. Parks has agile feet on both ends and elevates to get some work done on the glass. No player is ever a “lock” but if she stays the course and puts the work in to match her potential…the only limits will be the ones she sets for herself.
From the 2018 class it was difficult not to be impressed by 5-10 wing/forward Jamir Huston. Out of Shaker Heights, Huston has a long, lean, athletic build and a maturity to her game that makes you keep watching. All of her movement is fluid and is highlighted by a long, explosive, but graceful stride. She can put it on the floor and navigate traffic while creating both shots and passes. At the same time her stroke is sound and allows her to be an option on the wing or in the high post. There will need to be a little more consistency to her finish around the rim but the looks she’s getting should make that task somewhat simpler. Huston has good lateral speed defensively as well as an ability to get off the floor making her a prime candidate in pressing and trapping situations. As with Parks, if she runs into obstacles on her way to the top tier of Division I Basketball they will be ones she’s created for herself.
The last game we saw before heading for Port Columbus International Airport provided a look a one of the top playmakers we’ve seen in a while. Sommer Pitzer is the kind of point guard that you want to have the ball in her hands if you’re her coach, teammates…or fans of exciting basketball. Another 2019, Pitzer is one of those attacking point guards who loves to not only deliver the pass but make defenders look foolish while doing it. The Columbus native is lithe and quick at 5-2 (keep in mind her age) and has the ball skills to weave through opponents both in the full and halfcourt. It’s on the rotations where she gets deceptive and displays a keen awareness of both her options and opposition. Pitzer took it to the rim a few times as well but appeared content to improve the looks of others more often than not. Granted this was one day in a camp setting but a few of the plays she made would make plenty of players much older jealous. Lots of work still to be done but lots of potential as well.
There are times when you look at a young athlete and simply apply one word…player. Gabbie Marshall doesn’t have the size of Huston or Parks nor the flair of Pitzer but what she does do is simply make plays. A 5-6 point guard out of Mason, Marshall has the individual skills and instincts of players with much more time under their belts. She can draw defenders and make reads while delivering the ball where her teammate can best put it to use. In transition you can see her scanning the floor while handling both on ball pressure and occasional traps. Even in the ballhandling stations you could see her imagination at work as she kept things game like and sharpened her skills. Marshall appears at her best on the attack. We didn’t really get to see her perimeter shot in live action but the stroke appeared to be in place in shooting drills. Beyond all that, she might have the potential for one of the hardest compliments to lay claim to…she makes the players around her better. Watch very, very closely.
A Few More Making Noise
(Please keep in mind our time was limited and there were plenty of others worth noting…Contact OGBR for more information)
Regan Anderson – 2018 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Strong individual skills…Lots of acceleration…Change of speed is effective
A’mya Bess – 2018 – 5-6 Point Guard – Solid skills…One on one attack
Hannah Bouchy – 2018 – 5-4 – Point Guard – Always pushing the ball…Ball handling is sharp
Keyarra Burroughs – 5-4 – 2019 – Guard – Methodical but showed some tools…Nice form…Watch
Jacqueline Carman – 5-5 – 2018 – Point Guard – Solid ballhandling but over-dribbles at times…Change of speed is strong…Will defend
Grace Crawford – 2018 – 5-3 – Point Guard – Always attacking…Deceiving speed…Ballhandling is sharp…Good instincts
Jordan Diehl – 2018 – 5-7 – Guard – Nice size and build for age…Ball handling and passing are there
Tihanna Fulton – 2018 – 5-10 – Wing/Forward – Strong athlete…Gets off the floor…Decent stroke on her shot
Julia Hoefling – 2019 – 5-9 – Guard – Euro type game…Effective but not flashy…Can handle it some…Passes well
Jordan Horston – 2019 – 5-5 – Guard – Has the build to grow…Willing to defend…Lots of possibilities
Kayla Horvorka – 2018 – 5-8 – Guard – Strong for her age…Attacked the rim…Sharp passing at times…Promising
Sarah Jones – 2018 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Penetrator…Lots of individual skills…Pushes the ball
Jala Johnson – 2019 – 5-8 – Guard – Athletic…Strong handle…Crossover is effective…Elevates
Allison Mader – 2018 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Penetrates and attacks…Makes plays…Good form
Morgan McMillen – 2018 – Point Guard – Stocky build but very effective…Assertive with the ball…Makes plays
Jada Rowland – 2018 – 6-1 – Forward – Size and build…Agile…Active…Elbow drive…Pull up
Darryn Zeigler – 2018 – 5-9 – Guard – Long build…Active…Runs the floor…Passing is there…Ballhandling just OK
