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Buckeye Prep Report Elite Showcase

By: Rob Taylor

Although some players had already made the switch from the round ball to the pigskin or were too busy admiring Michael Phelp's run at 8 gold medals at the Olympics in China to work on their game, for the truly die hard ballers, competitive basketball was readily available in Columbus, OH. This past weekend the Buckeye Prep Report Elite Showcase hosted approximately 110 elite level players at The Hoop in Columbus and the competition level was very high for such a late season basketball event.

Players from as far as Atlanta and Detroit descended on Columbus for a full day of basketball as well as one last chance to compete against top competition and to raise their stock with scouting services. In terms of exposure there were several scouting services on hand to take in the action, including: Chris Johnson (HoopScoop/Ohio magazine), John Stovall (Prep Spotlight/Nike), Brian Snow (Rivals), and Chas Wolf (Insider Prep Sports).

Because it was a showcase event the format included three league games followed by all-star games in each of the three divisions. The level of competition was very high the entire day and the day culminated in a very competitive 9th grade all-star game. The game that needed overtime before a winner could be crowned. The stars of the game were a pair of bigs. Elijah Macon (6'7 PF) and Jalen Robinson (6'6 PF) both from Columbus put on a show. Macon was more of a factor in the paint where he finished with 15 points, while Robinson put on a shooting display to the tune of a game high 19 points.

Also impressive were a pair of guards from Michigan. Both Ray Lee (6'1 PG) from Redford and Cameron Fowler (6'0 WG) from West Bloomfield showed an advanced skill set and the ability to both handle and distribute the rock. In addition to the above players, KeChaun Lewis, a local product, had a "coming out party"of sorts as he was much more agressive than I have seen him in the past, which was evident by the multiple dunks he threw down over the course of the day.

In just about every event I have covered in the past I have always discovered what I call "sleepers". My list of sleepers from this event include: Landen Gaulden from Cincinnati Aiken HS, Tyler Williams from Douglasville, GA, Dylan Kaufman from Hiland HS.

Although they didn't make the "Top Five" cut, the peachtree state sent solid representation in Tyler Williams and Nate Bucher in the 9th grade division and Anthony Bagtis and Shamus Goss Jr. in the 8th grade division. All of whom balled their way into all-star games in their respective divisions.

Below is a more extensive list of players who had standout performances and this one day event. It's important to note that all of the players below were all-star selectees.

Class of 2012("Top Five" award winners in bold)

* Elijah Macon 6'7 PF Columbus, OH (Marion Franklin HS)

* Jalen Robinson 6'6 PF Westerville, OH (Westerville South HS)

* Ray Lee 6'1 PG Redford, MI (Dearborn Heights Robichaud HS)

* Cameron Fowler 6'0 WG West Bloomfield, MI (University of Detroit Jesuit HS)

* KeChaun Lewis 5'11 WG Columbus, OH (Northland HS)

* Landen Gaulden 5'9 PG Cincinnati, OH (Aiken HS)

* Nate Bucher 5'10 WG Lawrence, GA (Providence Christian HS)

* Tyler Williams 6'1 WG Douglasville, GA (Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy)

* Malik London 6'8 C Chillicothe, OH (Chillicothe HS)

* Jermaine Davis 6'8 C Garfield Heights, OH (Garfield Heights HS)

* Dylan Kaufman 6'3 WF Millersburg, OH (Hiland HS)

* Erron Nicholas 6'3 WF Cincinnati, OH (Withrow HS)

* Matthew Rhodes 6'3 WF Columbus, OH (Heritage MS)

* Devonte Peterson 5'8 PG Hilliard, OH (Hilliard Davidson HS)

* Spencer Kirksey 6'3 WF Reynoldsburg, OH (Reynoldsburg HS)

* Jaquan Thompson 5'8 WG Reynoldsburg, OH (Harvest Prep)

* Nick Thorton 5'7 PG Englewood, OH (Northmont HS)

* Marques Greene 5'10 WG Wilberforce, OH (McKinney HS)

* R.J. Raglin 5'11 WF Reynoldsburg, OH (Reynoldsburg HS)

* Khalid King 5'10 WG Canal Winchester, OH (Harvest Prep)

8th Grade Division

Arguably the top long-term prospect in the entire showcase, Mark Loving (6'4) out of Toledo, OH was nothing short of impressive. This kid is super smooth, can shoot, handle the rock in the open court and plays lock down D. I saw the kid bodying up bigs in the post then step outside and hit 3-pointers. With that said, his long slender build and advanced skills have some people believing that eventually he could be the best player to come out of Toledo. I'm not going that far just yet but the kids upside unmistakable.

In addition to Loving there were several other 8th graders who logged in solid performances at the showcase. I had my first opportunity to see Demonte Flannigan (6'6 PF) from Richmond Heights and Deiondrary Martin (6'1 WF) from Lima and both were very athletic, strong, and played with a lot of intensity and passion. Both players represented solid prospects worth of attention over the next couple of years.

One of the biggest benefits in participating in the type of event is the opportunity it provides for players to perform on a big stage and to build a reputation and Columbus' own Jaylen Benton (5'9 PG) did just that. Benton demonstrated his ability to handle the ball and to lead a team. He also showed his ability and willingness to find the open man.

Although he was injured on the day of the event, C.J. Bussey (6'0 WG) from Toledo showed a lot of talent. Widely believed to be one of the top players in the state in this class, his play at the showcase solidified his place among his peers in the state. Keep on eye on this kid as he could be very good in the future.

Class of 2013(" Top Five" award winners in bold)

* Mark Loving 6'4 WF Toledo, OH (Deveaux MS)

* Deiondrary Martin 6'1 WG Lima, OH (Lima West MS)

* Demonte Flannigan 6'6 PF Richmond Heights, OH (Richmond Heights MS)

* C.J. Bussey 6'0 WG Toledo, OH (Deveaux MS)

* Jaylen Benton 5'9 PG Columbus, OH (Heritage MS)

* Tyler Ulis 4'11 PG Lima, OH (Shawnee MS)

* Dave Brown 4'10 PG Toledo, OH (Devaux MS)

* Anthony Bagtis 5'8 PG Union City, GA (Renaissance MS)

* Shamus Goss Jr. 5'4 PG Lawrence, GA (Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy)

* Jack Gibbs III 5'5 PG Columbus, OH (Blendon MS)

* Austin Adams 6'4 PF Medina, OH (Highland MS)

* Dominique King 5'11 WF Maunmee, OH (Maumee MS)

* Ty Solivan 5'9 WG Painesville, OH (Heritage MS)

* Tony Kynard 5'6 WG Toledo, OH (Deveaux Jr. High)

* Sterling Gilmore 5'3 PG Cincinnati, OH (Walnut Hills MS)

* Kyle Turner 6'2 WF New Albany, OH (Columbus Academy)

* Theo Williams 6'1 WF Reynoldsburg, OH (Harvest Prep)

* Hayden Adams 6'2 WF Willard, OH (Willard MS)

* Zach Higginbotham 6'0 WF Fairfield, OH (Wilmington MS)

* Tony Harper 6'0 WF Toledo, OH (St. John's Jesuit)

Class of 2014

* Shamar Waugh 5'1 PG Columbus, OH (Co-MVP)

* William Green III 5'8 WF Dayton, OH (Wogaman MS) (Co-MVP)

* Jordan Cooper 5'7 PG/WG Bardstown, KY (St. Joseph MS)

* Ronnie Williams 5'10 WF Columbus, OH (Columbus Spanish Emersion)

* Dwayne Chestain 5'3 PG Dayton, OH (Fairview MS)

* Chris Moxley 5'8 WG Columbus, OH (St. James the Lss)

* Jaylen Freeman 5'6 PG Dayton, OH (Edison Elementary)

* Nathen Jameson 5'9 WF Columbus, OH (Arts Impact MS)

* Camerson Ball 5'8 WG Reynoldsburg, OH (Bishop Hartley)

* Alex McCoy 6'1 WF Canal Winchester, OH (Canal Winchester MS)

* Manuel Powell 4'10 PG Gahanna, OH (South MS)

* D.J. Tyree 5'0 PG Columbus, OH (Unknown)

For more info about future Buckeye prep report events please visit:

http://buckeyeprepreport.com/

POSTED: 8-26-2008

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