REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio—If you’re talking with someone who claims to know girls high school basketball talent, ask them the top five states who consistently produce the highest number of prospects. If their list doesn’t include Ohio, it’s a safe bet they’re not paying close enough attention the Buckeye State and the track record of athletes moving on from the scholastic to the colligate level. With the book on the Ohio State Tournament officially closed Saturday night it was only logical to get back in the gym on Sunday and check out some of the next generation of recruits on the horizon.
Tom Jenkins of Ohio Girls Basketball Report has few peers for single state recruiting services so when he and Dan Olson of ESPNW HoopGurlz coordinated a showcase of 60 of the state’s top 2018 and 2019 prospects it was a no brainer to delay the departure from Columbus one more day to check out the progress of many athletes we’ve seen and take a first look at many more with bright futures. Like any OGBR event, things ran like clockwork with an agenda focusing on evaluation, skill development and education segments. Each player had the opportunity to compete in two full court games as well as skill sessions with renowned trainer Jim Clayton. If the participants weren’t on the floor they were in the classroom tackling topics centered on the recruiting process, social media and even the state of the game itself. Attending parents were also encouraged to join in the classroom sessions.
The day was productive and provided plenty of opportunity to see the top tier of next year’s freshman and sophomore classes. Below are some quick observations on just a few of the players on hand. In no way is this a complete review and any exclusion is no reflection on any prospect or her potential. These are ALL young players who are tapping into their potential to varying degrees and their best is yet to come. There were many other talented and promising prospects on hand as well as several who were not able to participate. Recognized standouts like Jaylynda Salley of Reynoldsburg (injury) or Abby Prohaska from Lakota West and Kennedy Schlabach of Berlin Hiland who competed over the weekend at the state tournament are already well established on plenty recruiting radars at the college level.
Raven Alexander – 2018 – 5-2 – Summit Country Day – Quick with plenty of speed…Gets to the rim…Interior passing is sharp…Jumper is there…Scraps on the defensive end
Zia Cooke – 2019 – 5-7 – Toledo Rogers – Dynamic top tier point guard…Comfortable attacking at speed…Acceleration…1 on 1 skills…Transition passing is sharp…All the tools
Adrian Crockwell – 2018 – 5-8 – Newark – Ball skills…Wiry build…Potential to grow…Creates…Has a step back with range…Touch…Makes plays
Amari Davidson – 2018 – 6-2 – Avon – Size and frame…Moves well…Some ballhandling is in place…Called on a few post moves…Could be more physical
Maya Dunson – 2018 – 5–10 – Wayne – Good size and build…Lefty…Good length…Looks to create off the dribble…Individual skills
Layne Ferrell – 2019 – 6-0 – Franklin – Length with some perimeter tools…Lots of effort…Form is good but low release…Will go to the rim…Strength will come
Sophia Fortner – 2018 – Wadsworth – “True” point guard…Continues to advance her game…Maturity in her play…Reads the floor…Sharp choices in transition…Jumper is gaining consistency
Madison Greene – 2019 – 5-6 – Pickerington Central – Focused on scoring…Attacking slasher…Slight build but finishes well in traffic…Hit a couple spot up jumpers…Shot selection will need reigned in
Jasmine Hale – 2018 – 5-9 – Glen Este – Smooth and athletic…Sound ball skills…Works well in the open court…Gets into the paint…Floater…Perimeter shot?
Naz Hillmon – 2018 – 6-2 – Gilmour Academy – Nice size…Has the mobility…Reads offensively…Plenty of tools…Refinement is coming…Watch
Jamir Huston – 2018 – 5-10 – Shaker Heights – Size and build…Athleticism…Active on both ends of the floor…Evolving game…Versatility
Gabbie Marshall – 2019 – 5-6 – Mt. Notre Dame – Impressive first step…Very quick release…Looking to score from the point
Taylor Mikesell – 2018 – 5-9 – Jackson – Established prospect…Strong skills and instincts with size…Goes both ways…Utilizes both change of speed and direction…Range is there spotted up or off the dribble
Morgan McMillen – 2018 – 5–7 – New Philadelphia – Skills are there…Works at the game…Stroke is there…Assertive with the ball…Change of speed
Taiyier Parks – 2019 – 6-1 – High School undetermined at this time – Size and build…Physically strong…Can work low or away from the rim…Got on the boards…Evolving skills…All the tools…Up to her
Maliya Perry – 2019 – 6-0 – Pickerington Central – Nice size with potential to grow…Can put it on the floor…Gets to the rim…Active with and without the ball…Good in traffic
Sommer Pitzer – 2019 – 5-3 – Westerville South – Lots of speed with the ball…Strong crossover…Creates off the penetration…Step back is there…Has a floater to call on
Alexis Starks – 2018 – 6-0 – Anderson – Nice size, strength and build…Can be effective around the rim and in the paint…Has the form and range…Needs to mix up her attack and shot selection to be more efficient…Defensive footspeed?
Bexley Wallace – 2018 – 6-3 – Pickerington Central – High Profile…Had moments…Looking “fit”…Posting more at times…Demonstrated some sharp passing…15 footer …First step is major league…Still looking for consistency
Raven Willis – 2018 – 5-5 – North College Hill – Attacking point guard…Lots of speed…Change of speed and direction…Hesitation serves her well…Jumper needs consistency
