Zach Fleer
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A pair of Toledo standouts lead Coach Vic's Weekly Showcase
Zach Fleer via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Toledo Scott seniors Chance Hawkins and Larry Green were two of Sunday's top performers
Always one of Central Ohio's top basketball events, Coach Vic's Weekly Showcase offers a high level of basketball talent from around the state. However, for the last few weeks, the intensity level hasn't been where it usually is, but that would change on Sunday. With a squad from Toledo making the two hour trip south for the afternoon, all five players from that team were among the day's best, as they played with excellent chemistry, composure and grit. Let's take a look at some of the afternoon's top performers.
Chance Hawkins (6'5 SF / Toledo Scott / 2016)
Sunday's breakout performer, Hawkins was absolutely excellent in leading Team Toledo to a 5-1 record. Knocking down a barrage of threes, Hawkins scored on every level on Sunday, showing to be a high-level finisher near the rim. With solid length, strength and athleticism, Hawkins is a legitimate two-way player that was the top overall performer on the day. In our second viewing of him on Sunday, Hawkins had his best performance, knocking down five threes and finishing a powerful slam off the backboard to lead Team Toledo to a big win. Regional junior college coaches should get on Hawkins immediately, as he has flown under the radar in Ohio's 2016 class.
Larry Green (5'10 PG / Toledo Scott / 2016)
The best defensive player that we watched on Sunday, Green locked down any guard that opposed him in several viewings of him on the afternoon. A high-level athlete with elite quickness, Green gives up no ground on the defensive perimeter, as his pressure and ability to disrupt the opposing offense was key for the success of Team Toledo. On the offensive end, Green can do a little bit of everything, showing to be a capable perimeter shooter, while impressing with his quickness as a ball-handler and slasher from the wing. Keep an eye on Green as a sleeper in the 2016 class.
Deshon Parker (5'9 PG / Huber Heights Wayne / 2018)
Playing with the most intensity out of anyone on Sunday, we loved Parker's energy and command at the point guard position. A fierce competitor that simply hates to lose, Parker was one of the top three point guards that we evaluated on Sunday. Shooting the ball extremely well from the perimeter, Parker also impressed as a composed ball-handler that constantly made the correct decision with the ball. Parker communicated the most out of any player that we scouted on Sunday, commanding the offense and putting his teammates in the right positions to score. Drawing high praise from Wayne head coach Travis Trice last week, we expect Parker's development to really blossom under the guidance of senior Warrior guards Rodrick Caldwell and Demond Parker.
Khiry Shelton (6'8 C / Pickerington North / 2017): The Houston import has continued to improve each time we have checked him out at Coach Vic's lately. A nimble 6-foot-8 big with quality scoring ability inside, Shelton impressed us with his aggression and assertiveness on Sunday, as he took advantage of slower defenders, catching the ball out of the triple threat on the perimeter and attacking along the baseline. Going to a Pickerington North program with a lot of young talent, Shelton is a big addition for the Panthers, as his size and interior scoring will be a major difference maker this season.
Griffin Lutz (6'1 PG / Athens / 2017): Big-time athlete at the point guard position, Lutz may not pass the 'look test,' but will make you pay when he pins your lazy lay-up attempt off the backboard. A quick ball-handler that can really get places off the dribble, Lutz is a quality scorer that loves to attack the basket. Loving what we saw out of Lutz in the AAU season with DB Hoops, we were excited to take another look at him on Sunday. We are expecting a big junior season out of Lutz this season at Athens.
Logan Swackhammer (6'0 PG / Chillicothe Unioto / 2018): A standout at last weekend's Prep Hoops Ohio Prime Time Prospects Combine, Swackhammer continued his streak of high-level play on Sunday. One of our favorite guards to watch in the area's sophomore class, Swackhammer just plays hard and plays smart each time he's out on the floor. An above-average athlete that can attack in a variety of ways, Swackhammer is a three-level scorer that is good at picking his spots. In a Unioto program that has churned out a bunch of wins in recent years, we are expecting Swackhammer to continue to make strides in his development going forward.
Harrison Riggs (5'11 PG / Toledo St. John's / 2017): High-IQ and cerebral point guard that doesn't try to do too much, Riggs just knows how to play. On a team full of scorers, Riggs played his role, distributing the ball, and helping to establish an offensive pace for Toledo that was key to its success. A tremendous passer that can really handle the ball both in transition and in the half court, Riggs is a treat to watch at the point guard position.
Dalonte Brown (6'7 SF / Toledo Bowsher / 2017): Long and lanky at 6-foot-7, we were impressed with Brown's energy and motor on Sunday, as he did a little bit of everything offensively. Forming a nice two-man duo with Hawkins, Brown attacked from the interior, and caught fire from the perimeter late in the afternoon, as Team Toledo continued to pile up wins. With an offer from Toledo and interest from several mid-to-high major programs, Brown has as much upside as just about anyone in Ohio's 2017 class.
Justin Ahrens (6'5 SG / Versailles / 2018): Ahrens is special. The top 2018 prospect that we watched on Sunday, Ahrens did it all on both ends of the floor. An excellent communicator and natural-born leader, Ahrens was a treat to watch offensively, knocking down a barrage of threes, while showing aggressiveness as an attacking rebounder. The younger brother of freshman Michigan State guard and former Coach Vic's Open Gym standout Kyle Ahrens, the younger Ahrens will be a big-time prospect to keep an eye on in Ohio's 2018 class.
Reece Strohm (6'6 SF / Reynoldsburg / 2017): Really solid jump shooting wing forward that has been one of the area's top 2017 players since his freshman season at Reynoldsburg. Strohm has improved physically, adding more strength to his frame, while remaining a stellar perimeter shooter. Currently, we project Strohm to be a solid Division II prospect, but improvement to his ball skills and scoring off the dribble could help him sneak up to the low-major to mid-major level.
Ennis Thomas (6'3 SG / Westerville South / 2016): Long and athletic wing that picked up his first offer from Division II Lake Erie College last week. Thomas played with a great motor on Sunday, finishing strong at the rim, while showing some capability as a jump shooter off the dribble. Thomas has always been a stellar athlete, but it has been his improvement with his skill set that has led to a rise in recruitment for him.
Tyler Ruff (6'0 SG / Watkins Memorial / 2017): Knockdown shooter that we watched for the first time ever on Sunday. Ruff has a good feel for the game, and is a plus shooter off the catch. Not a tremendous athlete, but shoots the ball well enough to be a factor on the floor.
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Zach Fleer via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Toledo Scott seniors Chance Hawkins and Larry Green were two of Sunday's top performers
Always one of Central Ohio's top basketball events, Coach Vic's Weekly Showcase offers a high level of basketball talent from around the state. However, for the last few weeks, the intensity level hasn't been where it usually is, but that would change on Sunday. With a squad from Toledo making the two hour trip south for the afternoon, all five players from that team were among the day's best, as they played with excellent chemistry, composure and grit. Let's take a look at some of the afternoon's top performers.
Chance Hawkins (6'5 SF / Toledo Scott / 2016)
Sunday's breakout performer, Hawkins was absolutely excellent in leading Team Toledo to a 5-1 record. Knocking down a barrage of threes, Hawkins scored on every level on Sunday, showing to be a high-level finisher near the rim. With solid length, strength and athleticism, Hawkins is a legitimate two-way player that was the top overall performer on the day. In our second viewing of him on Sunday, Hawkins had his best performance, knocking down five threes and finishing a powerful slam off the backboard to lead Team Toledo to a big win. Regional junior college coaches should get on Hawkins immediately, as he has flown under the radar in Ohio's 2016 class.
Larry Green (5'10 PG / Toledo Scott / 2016)
The best defensive player that we watched on Sunday, Green locked down any guard that opposed him in several viewings of him on the afternoon. A high-level athlete with elite quickness, Green gives up no ground on the defensive perimeter, as his pressure and ability to disrupt the opposing offense was key for the success of Team Toledo. On the offensive end, Green can do a little bit of everything, showing to be a capable perimeter shooter, while impressing with his quickness as a ball-handler and slasher from the wing. Keep an eye on Green as a sleeper in the 2016 class.
Deshon Parker (5'9 PG / Huber Heights Wayne / 2018)
Playing with the most intensity out of anyone on Sunday, we loved Parker's energy and command at the point guard position. A fierce competitor that simply hates to lose, Parker was one of the top three point guards that we evaluated on Sunday. Shooting the ball extremely well from the perimeter, Parker also impressed as a composed ball-handler that constantly made the correct decision with the ball. Parker communicated the most out of any player that we scouted on Sunday, commanding the offense and putting his teammates in the right positions to score. Drawing high praise from Wayne head coach Travis Trice last week, we expect Parker's development to really blossom under the guidance of senior Warrior guards Rodrick Caldwell and Demond Parker.
Khiry Shelton (6'8 C / Pickerington North / 2017): The Houston import has continued to improve each time we have checked him out at Coach Vic's lately. A nimble 6-foot-8 big with quality scoring ability inside, Shelton impressed us with his aggression and assertiveness on Sunday, as he took advantage of slower defenders, catching the ball out of the triple threat on the perimeter and attacking along the baseline. Going to a Pickerington North program with a lot of young talent, Shelton is a big addition for the Panthers, as his size and interior scoring will be a major difference maker this season.
Griffin Lutz (6'1 PG / Athens / 2017): Big-time athlete at the point guard position, Lutz may not pass the 'look test,' but will make you pay when he pins your lazy lay-up attempt off the backboard. A quick ball-handler that can really get places off the dribble, Lutz is a quality scorer that loves to attack the basket. Loving what we saw out of Lutz in the AAU season with DB Hoops, we were excited to take another look at him on Sunday. We are expecting a big junior season out of Lutz this season at Athens.
Logan Swackhammer (6'0 PG / Chillicothe Unioto / 2018): A standout at last weekend's Prep Hoops Ohio Prime Time Prospects Combine, Swackhammer continued his streak of high-level play on Sunday. One of our favorite guards to watch in the area's sophomore class, Swackhammer just plays hard and plays smart each time he's out on the floor. An above-average athlete that can attack in a variety of ways, Swackhammer is a three-level scorer that is good at picking his spots. In a Unioto program that has churned out a bunch of wins in recent years, we are expecting Swackhammer to continue to make strides in his development going forward.
Harrison Riggs (5'11 PG / Toledo St. John's / 2017): High-IQ and cerebral point guard that doesn't try to do too much, Riggs just knows how to play. On a team full of scorers, Riggs played his role, distributing the ball, and helping to establish an offensive pace for Toledo that was key to its success. A tremendous passer that can really handle the ball both in transition and in the half court, Riggs is a treat to watch at the point guard position.
Dalonte Brown (6'7 SF / Toledo Bowsher / 2017): Long and lanky at 6-foot-7, we were impressed with Brown's energy and motor on Sunday, as he did a little bit of everything offensively. Forming a nice two-man duo with Hawkins, Brown attacked from the interior, and caught fire from the perimeter late in the afternoon, as Team Toledo continued to pile up wins. With an offer from Toledo and interest from several mid-to-high major programs, Brown has as much upside as just about anyone in Ohio's 2017 class.
Justin Ahrens (6'5 SG / Versailles / 2018): Ahrens is special. The top 2018 prospect that we watched on Sunday, Ahrens did it all on both ends of the floor. An excellent communicator and natural-born leader, Ahrens was a treat to watch offensively, knocking down a barrage of threes, while showing aggressiveness as an attacking rebounder. The younger brother of freshman Michigan State guard and former Coach Vic's Open Gym standout Kyle Ahrens, the younger Ahrens will be a big-time prospect to keep an eye on in Ohio's 2018 class.
Reece Strohm (6'6 SF / Reynoldsburg / 2017): Really solid jump shooting wing forward that has been one of the area's top 2017 players since his freshman season at Reynoldsburg. Strohm has improved physically, adding more strength to his frame, while remaining a stellar perimeter shooter. Currently, we project Strohm to be a solid Division II prospect, but improvement to his ball skills and scoring off the dribble could help him sneak up to the low-major to mid-major level.
Ennis Thomas (6'3 SG / Westerville South / 2016): Long and athletic wing that picked up his first offer from Division II Lake Erie College last week. Thomas played with a great motor on Sunday, finishing strong at the rim, while showing some capability as a jump shooter off the dribble. Thomas has always been a stellar athlete, but it has been his improvement with his skill set that has led to a rise in recruitment for him.
Tyler Ruff (6'0 SG / Watkins Memorial / 2017): Knockdown shooter that we watched for the first time ever on Sunday. Ruff has a good feel for the game, and is a plus shooter off the catch. Not a tremendous athlete, but shoots the ball well enough to be a factor on the floor.
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