As inclement weather prevented some out of town talent from making the trip to Columbus for week three of Coach Vic's Weekly Showcase, local stars Nick Ward and Seth Towns would end up stealing the show. While many of Sunday's top performers have been mentioned in previous write ups in August, this week's recap will focus on the best of the best in another great day of hoops.
Nick Ward (6'8 PF / Gahanna Lincoln / 2016):
Another event passes, and Ward garners yet another positive write up. A model of consistency, Ward has continued to elevate his level of play, always playing an aggressive brand of basketball, no matter the competition. Breaking free in transition and finishing on the break several times, Ward showcased increased mobility and finishing ability around the rim in traffic. Controlling the boards, Ward created several second-chance opportunities on the offensive glass, and was just an overall load to handle on the block for opposing teams. Teaming up with Syracuse commit Matt Moyer the last two weeks, Ward and Northland forward Seth Towns proved to be the day's top duo with Moyer's absence. Receiving an offer from Purdue last week, Ward is a major priority among several schools in the Big Ten and elsewhere across the high-major scene. Ward told me on Sunday that the schools recruiting him the hardest are Michigan State, Purdue, Kansas State, Iowa, Miami (FL) and Xavier.
Seth Towns (6'8 SF / Columbus Northland / 2016):
Showing off his full offensive arsenal, Towns put his high level of skill to display as he torched the nets alongside Ward on Sunday. A smooth operator along the mid-range baseline, Towns continually attacked from the left side, either finishing at the rim, or hitting the turn-around jump shot. A difficult matchup for defenses, Towns combines an elite combination of length, quickness and elusiveness to have his way with defenders. Heading into a junior season with high expectations, Towns is hearing most from UCLA, Iowa, Michigan, Purdue and Stanford, with offers coming from the Hawkeyes and Wolverines.
Logan Hill (6'6 PF / Massillon Jackson / 2017):
The No. 3 power forward in TripleDoubleProspects' 2017 rankings, Hill certainly looked the part of a top five player at his position on Sunday. Showing off versatile scoring, Hill was a load to handle on the block, while stepping out and connecting everywhere from 14 to 18 feet away from the basket. On a senior-laden Massillon Jackson team a year ago, Hill looks to produce at a much higher level as a sophomore as the Polar Bears look to be a major player once again in Northeast Ohio. A skilled forward with great instincts, Hill just flat out knows how to play the game and was far and away the top sophomore prospect in the building on Sunday.
David Dennis (6'2 PG / Canal Winchester Harvest Prep / 2015):
Nominated by Coach Vic as Sunday's top overall performer, Dennis put together a great afternoon, leading his team both in scoring and assists. Since committing to Division II power West Liberty in August, Dennis has played with a cool and calm demeanor, while improving his overall game. With the quickness to keep defenders on his hip, Dennis has great vision and passing ability, making him an ideal point guard in the high-paced offense that West Liberty likes to run. Focusing on his perimeter shooting on Sunday, Dennis hit with regularity, while being one of the day's top on-ball defenders.
Xeyrius Williams (6'8 SF / Huber Heights Wayne / 2015):
Leading Team Dayton alongside fellow Dayton commit Ryan Mikesell and Michigan State commit Kyle Ahrens, Williams was the best of them all on Sunday. Similar to Towns, Williams is an extremely lengthy small forward with great quickness, while having a little more explosiveness than the Northland junior. Over the last year, Williams has been intent on improving his perimeter shooting, and the results have shown as Williams is now a more than capable shooter from behind-the-arc. An active rebounder on the offensive glass, Williams has soft touch around the rim and is tough to keep out of the lane off-the-dribble. What I like most about Williams is his versatility in what he can bring to a team. Capable of taking a game over with his scoring, the Dayton commit can operate from a facilitating role, along with being a top rebounder at his position.
Honorable Mention top performers
Top Guards
Rodrick Caldwell (6'1 PG / Huber Heights Wayne / 2016)
DJ Tyree (6'2 PG / Columbus Northland / 2016)
Tyler Dunn (5'10 PG / Massillon Jackson / 2015)
Austin Armwood (6'2 PG / Westerville North / 2015)
Xavier Holston-Sims (6'0 PG / Columbus Eastmoor / 2015)
Nic Bapst (6'3 SG / Grove City / 2015)
Top Wings
Ibi Watson (6'5 SG / Pickerington Central / 2016)
Rodney Culver (6'5 SG / Pickerington Central / 2015)
Houston Smith (6'5 SF / Columbus Africentric / 2016)
James Manns (6'6 SF / Columbus Walnut Ridge / 2016)
Andre Wesson (6'5 SF / Westerville South / 2016)
Mark Fair Jr (6'4 SF / Reynoldsburg / 2016)
Bryson London (6'6 SF / New Albany / 2016)
Trey Smith (6'5 SF / Delphos Jefferson / 2016)
Top Posts
Alonzo Campbell (6'10 PF / Gahanna Lincoln / 2015)
Derrick Daniels (6'7 PF / Dayton Thurgood Marshall / 2016)
Doug Taylor (6'9 PF / Columbus Northland / 2015)
Ulmer Manzie (6'8 PF / Columbus Africentric / 2015)
Dante McCoy (6'9 PF / Dayton Ponitz / 2015)
Caleb Mitchell (6'8 C / Bellefontaine / 2015)
Kaleb Wesson (6'9 C / Westerville South / 2017)