Nike All-Ohio
Slam-N-Jam Hoop Challenge
September 10, 2005
Columbus, Ohio
Prepared by Rob Taylor, Publisher
Buckeye Prep Report

Jerry Watson’s Nike All-Ohio program put together a small but competitive showcase event that attracted some of the top 7^th & 8^th players from all over the state.  In addition to the middle school division, the event drew over 70 high school players.

In terms of the format, in the middle school division, approximately 30 players were divided into 5 teams of about 7-10 players.  Each team played 5 games followed by an all-star game.  Although the all-star game was abbreviated, it gave some of the top players an opportunity to showcase their talent.  Below is a list of the all-star game participants: 

All-Star Teams 

Stevie Taylor 5’2 PG Gahanna                          Gene Primus 5’8 WF Cincinnati

Noah Cottrill 5’10 WG WVA                           Doug Thorpe, 5’5 PG Columbus

Cameron Wright 6’1 WF Shaker Heights          JD Weatherspoon 6’2 C Columbus

Mike Brown 5’4 WG Cincinnati                        Damond Powell 5’3 WG Toledo

Greg Gainey 6’2 PF     Trotwood                      Pe’Shon Howard 5’11 WG Akron

Jarred Sullinger 6’1 PF Columbus                      Juwan Staten 5’5 PG Dayton

Trey Lewis III  5’3 PG Cleveland                      Ricky Johnson 5’2 WG Akron

Anthony Strothers 6’0 C WVA                         Nick McCoy 5’10 WF Cincinnati

Cornell Willoughby 5’1 PG Columbus                Kenny Penn 5’2 PG Toledo

Courtney Avery 5’8 PG Lexington                      Mike Boyd 5’5 PG Cincinnati

Top Performer Notes

Peshon Howard, a 5’10 WG, is brand new to the Buckeye State after moving from California and Maryland. Howard has instantly moved to the top of the 2010 pecking order since being reclassified.  With his dominate play at the showcase, Howard surprised a lot of people who had not seen him play.

Noah Cottrell, a 5’10 WG from West Virginia, had an outstanding showcase.  I first saw Cottrell play in the 4^th grade and was extremely impressed with his game.  Needles to say, Cottrell’s game has continued to develop.  He was very aggressive to the basket, finished nicely, and grabbed a lot of rebounds.  This kid plays hard from whistle-to-whistle.

Stevie Taylor, a 5’2 PG from Gahanna, continued to solidify his place as the top player in the state at the 2011 level. Taylor used quickness to get the bucket on a consistent basis.  Despite his size, Taylor is deceptively strong and can take the contact on the dribble penetration and still finish. 

Juwan Staten, 5’4 PG from Dayton showed why most observers consider him as the top PG in Ohio.  Staten has a complete game and showed it during the event.

Greg Gainey, a 6’2 PF from Trotwood, was simply dominate.  Gainey is explosive with a soft touch around the cup.  There really wasn’t anybody at the event that could prevent Gainey from scoring.

Anthony Strothers, a 6’0 C from West Virginia, was very impressive.  Only a 7^th grader, Strothers has good size and a nice body.  Also, Strothers doesn’t mind banging with the big guys down low.

Mike Brown, a 5’4 WG from Cincinnati, was feeling it from outside.  Brown has a nice looking stoke and his ranges extends beyond the ark.  In the all-star game, Brown knocked down a couple of 3-pointers and looked comfortable doing it.

Trey Lewis, 5’2 WG from Cleveland, played well during the showcase.  Lewis used dribble penetration and a nice midrange shot to score.  One game in particular, Lewis was dominate as he went for double figures.

JD Weatherspoon 6’1 C Columbus, seems to still be growing.  Weatherspoon is long and lean and a heck of a rebounder.

Other Players to Watch

Trey Burke, a 5’2 PG from Columbus, played well enough to make the all-star game; however, football commitments prevented him from playing in the game.  Burke had his signature floater working in the few games he was able to make.

Jacob Forest, a 5’3 PG from Grove City, just missed making the all-star game.   Forrest is still underrated, but with his heart and work ethic, his future is bright.

Grant Samuel, a 6’3 C, was described as Mr. Fundamental by several observers.  Although not flashy nor a prolific scorer, Samuel did all of the little things coaches like to see in a player.

Isiah Rogers, a 4’11 PG from Westerville, was the only 5^th grader invited to the showcase.  Although he did not make the all-star game, he continued to prove that he can compete at this level, and is one of the top players in the class of 2012.

For the players who play basketball year around, the Slam-N-Jam Hoop Challenge provided an excellent opportunity to play some competitive ball in the fall.  To all of the players who came out for the event, the Buckeye Prep Report staff would like to wish you luck in the upcoming middle school season

If you have any comments about this report, please feel free to email the publisher at Taylorobe@aol.com, or make your comments on the BPR message board at www.BuckeyePrepReport.com.