Friday on the campus of Ohio State University the Division I and II state semi-final games gave us plenty of memorable games from some of the state’s top players from the senior class all the way down to a freshman…….
- Andre Yates –
Myles Hamilton
’12 Dayton Dunbar PG: The 6’1 Yates came to Dunbar for his senior year to win a championship, his 26 point performance (on 12/20 shooting) in the semifinal put Dunbar one game away from accomplishing that goal. Over the last year Yates might be Ohio’s most improved backcourt player as the Creighton signee has reached elite status in being TDP’s #2 ranked PG in his 2012 class. Yates can really shoot the ball from deep and is always looking to use his jab step, a screen, or a dribble move to create space to get one off. With his strength and quick first step he is also able to use his vision to get in the lane off the bounce and create a shot for himself or a teammate, he really impressed today with his ability to make his teammates better with the pass. In transition there might not be a guard in the state better at making a quick change of direction move and getting to the rim to finish through traffic. Yates also showed his usual great leadership and attitude, led by his pride in his on-ball defense.
- Jae’sean Tate – ’14 Pickerington Central SF/PF: The bruising and athletic combo forward totaled 16 points and 13 rebounds in a dominant inside-outside performance against Fairfield, which his Tigers team won. No one in Ohio in the sophomore class can match Tate’s power on the block, and few can match his combination of size, skill, and athleticism. Tate is a versatile offensive player that can post up, shoot the ball to the mid-range level, handle it in transition, and finish with strength or finesse. While he is a little bit in-between positions his skill level is improving and as he grows he will continue to be recognized as one of the premiere talents in the state in 2014.
- Deontae Hawkins – ’12 Dayton Dunbar PF: The Wichita State signee, who stands 6’7, showed more energy then he usually does in attacking the boards for 11 total rebounds in the game. Hawkins has become more coordinated over the season as his explosiveness is at an all time high. Hawkins went skyward three times in the game for two handed dunks with more power then we’ve seen from him in the past. The senior forward, who can play either the SF or PF position, finished with 19 points on 8/12 shooting. With Dunbar facing a lot of zone this postseason Hawkins has become really consistent at flashing to the high post and quickly knocking down a mid-range jumper, where he has always shown very good shooting form with three-point range.
- Reggie McAdams – ’12 Elida SF: The wing still doesn’t get the credit he deserves, despite being in the top spot of the 2012 SF rankings. There aren’t many prospects more versatile then McAdams, who can play all five positions at the high school level. A 6’6 natural SF with great length and high level athleticism McAdams is capable of making plays above the rim, as he did on the first possession with a two hand finish way up top off an alley-oop pass. His athleticism extends to having quick feet and he should become even more explosive as he fills out his thin frame. Very good shooter out to three point range, he shoots a ball with nice rotation and does a good job getting on balance. The best part of McAdams game is his aggressiveness when slashing to the basket. Using his length, and a solid but improving handle, he can get in the lane off two or three dribbles and shoot the ball over defenders with his leaping ability. Ever improving prospect that should only get better once he gets to Akron next year. McAdams finished with 17 points and 9 rebounds in the win.
Nigel Hayes
- Myles Hamilton – ’12 Lakewood St. Edwards SG: The 6’2 combo guard poured in 24 points and showed tremendous determination, but it was not enough to carry LSE to the State Championship game. Hamilton attacked the rim with no fear and showed off his leaping ability to finish at or above the rim. With his strength and handles Hamilton is able to get past defenders and bump back much taller opponents to score in traffic. An improving decision maker and shooter Hamilton is a steal for Kennesaw State where he will be playing next year. Hamilton’s defense was also on display as he recorded 3 steals and when he was guarding Toledo Whitmer’s Leroy Alexander, which he did sportingly due to foul trouble, Alexander was unable to get much going.
- Nigel Hayes – ’13 Toledo Whitmer PF: Could write two pages about how good the 6’7 Hayes was in the semifinal win. Triple Double Prospects has never been as sold on Hayes’ perimeter game as some scouts, but he went a long way towards convincing us otherwise tonight. The junior handled the ball against the press, on the break, and in the half court en route to 18 points; to go along with 13 rebounds and 6 assists. When St. Ed’s tried to put a smaller player on him the powerful and super athletic Hayes did what he still does best, went inside to overpower and score. Also impressive about Hayes was the progress he has made with his shooting stroke over the course of the season. Hayes shot the ball in one clean motion, instead of stopping it above his head to hinder his release. As he continues to become a complete offensive player to match his athleticism and energy expect to hear about more and more high-majors calling to inquire about Hayes.
- Amos “AJ” Harris – ’15 Dayton Dunbar PG: The freshman is just on another level compared to other point guards, especially in his own 2015 class. Harris shifted gears from fast to lightning fast all day to get into the teeth of the defense and finish with high arcing left-handed floaters. He has the ball on a string and was able to use his right to left crossover to get all the way to the rim on several occasions. Harris finished with 11 points in the Dunbar win.
- Zavier Powers – ’14 Mentor Lake Catholic PG/SG: Just a sophomore the 6’1 Powers shows signs of becoming a really good slasher down the line. He has a nice burst of quickness and good body control to score the ball. Right now he’s best with numbers in transition where he is good at making plays in space.
- Ricardo Smith – ’13 Toledo Whitmer SG: Smith is a really good perimeter defender at 6’2 with good athleticism. Offensively he is one of the more underrated guards in the state. A guy that Division II colleges should keep an eye on, he can really shoot the basketball from the three point line on the spot up or off the dribble in the mid-range with his quick release. A solid ballhandler who doesn’t force the issue Smith is a very good glue guy to put around talented players, and he will really compete on both ends. Smith finished with 8 points and 5 boards.
- Leroy Alexander – ’12 Toledo Whitmer PG/SG: Playing some point guard in July with his All-Ohio Red AAU team has helped Alexander become a better passer, as well as having better vision in picking his spots to attack. The Nebraska football commit and 6’0 combo guard is much better at playing under control then he was a year ago, while still being able to use his athleticism to make plays. Alexander has lethal quickness in the front court, good strength, and leaping ability to jump over smaller guards to put shots on the rim. With a solid shooting stroke and his great defensive intensity Alexander would’ve made a very good college basketball player had he chosen to go that route. Alexander finished with 17 points and 8 rebounds in a win.
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