| BiggLu
October 25, 2012
12:02:57 PM
Entry #: 4000014
| COLUMBUS: The host of the All Ohio/Nike City Series(Columbus)looks poised to win at least 1 and as many as 3 of the 4 H.S. Classes this year. In 2011, Columbus won 3 of 4 and in 2010 Columbus ran the table for the entire event winning all 4 age groups. The talent was so thick that the decision was made to carry 2 team in each age group for Columbus. Here's a brief preview of the rosters and expectations of each team and how they could fair at Reynoldsburg H.S. this weekend:
SENIORS#1:
Randall Clarkson 5’10 - D1/D2 open recruit
Boo Osbourne 6’3 - D1/D2 open recruit
Aaron Jackson 6’5 AKRON
Wendell Davis 6’5 ASHLAND
Ellis Williams 6'8 BRYANT
Adrian Cook 5’10 - D2 open recruit
Kenny Robinson Jr 6’0 - D1 JC open recruit
Jaylen Benton 6’3 - D1/D2 recruit
Kevin Marsh 6’6 - D1/D2 open recruit
Armoni Towns 6’4 - D2 Hidden Gem
With several pieces missing due to a variety of injuries, the Senior Class for Columbus is not a shoe-in for the City Series Title by any means. However the group should play with a good amount of passion as it attempts to become the first ever 4-Time City Series Champion group in the brief history of the event. Strong point guard play from Clarkson, combined with the versatility and athleticism of Osbourne, Jackson, Davis, Benton, and Marsh are all players consistently considered among the best in their positions in Ohio as has their big man, Ellis Williams. Sleepers like Cook, Robinson, and Towns should provide specified qualities to the team that could push them over the top. I look for this group to win their age group.
SENIORS#2:
Lance Leslie 5’10 - D2 Hidden Gem
Will Hill 5’10 - D2 open recruit
Kris Little 6’2 - D2 open recruit
Jason Hall 6’5 XAVIER(BASEBALL)
Omar Diop 6'4 - D1 JC open recruit
Kyjuan Grace 6’0 - D2 Hidden Gem
Ronnie Stokes Jr 5’10 - D2 open recruit
Darnell Miskel 5’11 - Recruiting Sleeper
DeAndre Martin 6’4 - Recruiting Sleeper
Aron Thress 6’7 - Recruiting Sleeper
This little scrappy group could surprise a few teams in the Senior Division. Obviously undersized being the 2nd team and having a small amount of post players in this particular age group, this team will be an underdog. However with quickness and athleticism to match almost anyone, their style of play could dictate their level of play. With legitimately half of the roster capable of playing the point guard position, pressure, passing, and fast-paced passion are all must-haves for the group to pull off some upsets. If the athleticism of Hall and Diop can counter the team size problems up front,the perimeter punch and pressure of Leslie, Grace, Stokes, Hill, and Little can shake up some teams, they have a shot.
JUNIORS#1: Entire Team has legit D1 potential possibilities
Shemar Waugh 5’10
Ty Hairston 6’2
Javon Bess 6’5
Eric James 6’5
Jae’ Shon Tate 6’5
Manuel Powell 5’9
Dymiere Finch 6’2
Ronnie Williams 6’2
Robert Jones II 6’7
Donovyn Benson 6’7
This is my personal choice for the best shot at a City Series Title Columbus has of all the age groups. I think it will be very difficult to knock off this collection of talent. Waugh is anywhere from #2-#5 in Ohio at the PG position and Powell has elevated his play into the Top 8-10 discussion again for the State. The rugged pair of Forwards from Mansfield in Benson and Jones will provide much of the interior presence the team needs as its plethera of hybrid, wing talent is surely its biggest advantage. Tate brings a Top 100 National level of play to the plate, Bess is on the cusp of high-major recruiting status, Hairston, Finch, James, and Williams make the 2-4 positions very tough for anyone in Ohio to consistently matchup with this core.
JUNIORS#2: Entire Team has Legit Scholarship Probabilities
Danny Hummer 6’1
Chris Byrd 6’2
Isaiah Keene 6’5
Jaylen Tucker 6’7 = D1 Recruit
Tyrone Johnson 6’7 = D1 Recruit
R.J. Mims 5’10
Mylan Smith 6’2
Michael Deleon 6’5
Nate Jameson 6’5
Jordan West 6’6
This group could make some noise. Overall size and the ability to create matchup problems must be heavily exploited with this team. Hummer played last season with AO Red and is used to the fire, Johnson r is an amazing anchor for the frontline with his athleticism and length, Tucker gives them yet another first-team level talent that simply could not fit due to rule limitations. The team can literally play an entire frontline of 6'5-6'7 at all 3 positions the whole game and/or play 4 players of that size at once at times.
SOPHOMORES#1:
Jordan Dartis 6’2
Reece Dupler 6’1
Seth McCoy 6’2
Chris London 6’3
Jaquan Harriston 6’4
Xavier Sims 5’10
DeShawn Jackson 6’0
DeMarco Cannon 6’1
Rodney Culver 6’2
J’Sean Davis 6’4
This group is probably going to have the toughest time of any #1Columbus team in the City Series. Severely undersized due to a variety of uncontrollables. Speed and athleticism will be of abundance and must be used in such manner.......in abundance.
SOPHOMORES#2:
Chase Brown 5’8
Jaylyn Watkins 5’11
Katwan Singleton 6’3
Jeremiah Roberts 6’4
Demajeo Wiggins 6’7
David Richardson 5’9
Nate Sperling 5’11
Cameron Senek 5’11
Eric Sankovich 6’1
This group has a certain tenacity about it that should keep them in games versus whoever they face, but a lack of size will be difficult to overcome. Brown gives them a first-team level leader and catalyst to go to for an upset or 2.
FRESHMAN#1:
Kyran McClure 6’0
Tarik Wright 6’2
James Mann II 6’6
Nick Ward 6’5
Seth Towns 6’7
Jeloni Rogers 5’9
Seth Fuller 5’11
Jalen Tate 6’3
Bryson London 6’4
Luke Vargo 6’5
If this collection of talent can come together, it can be the 3rd team from Columbus to possibly take a City series Title. Frontcourt versatility that will be tough to deal with for Ohio counterparts and backcourt savy in Rogers and McClure. Towns provides a Top 100 in the Nation anchor and the rest of the needed ingredients are there for a heck of a meal.
FRESHMAN#2:
Jordan Kinchen 5’10
Corey Benton 5’11
Erron James 6’0
Houston Smith 6’3
Kalib Younger 6’3
Nickolas Reisslund 5’9
Antoine Vaughn 5’10
Hersey Green 5’10
Drew Rackley 6’1
Will Maynus II 6’3
A few of these players have top team talent, but just happen to be in a deep pool of quality players at their respective positions. A little small, but talented enough to make some noise for certain. A frontline of Younger, Smith, James, and others should bring enough energy to voercome their size issues and have a solid outing.
Other Participants
CLEVELAND:
CINCINNATI:
DAYTON:
TOLEDO:
AKRON/CANTON:
* "Hidden Gem" = Player who has been under the radar;sleeper
* "Open Recruit" = Player available for recruitment
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