In my first weekend as director of Coach Vic's Weekly Showcase, Sunday's showing at Reynoldsburg-Livingston High School was one of the best of the fall with 45 players from all over the state playing at a high level. With many players competing for the first time ever in the event, let's take a look at some of the event's top performers.
Will Yoakum (6'4 SG / Delaware Hayes / 2017): Sunday's top overall performer, Yoakum was a flat out beast in his first-ever run at Coach Vic's. Showing tremendous improvement from the summer, Yoakum looked bigger, faster and stronger, as he was able to get anywhere he wanted off the dribble, scored on all three levels, and looked as tough as ever scoring through contact on the interior. With great length and the athleticism to be a factor on the perimeter on both ends of the floor, Yoakum has emerged as one of the area's top 2017 prospects, and Sunday was a great indication of the type of player that he is becoming. Expected to be one of Delaware's top two scorers this season, look for Yoakum to have a breakout junior campaign.
Seth Towns (6'7 SF / Columbus Northland / 2016): When you are an elite talent like Towns, who has been in the limelight since the first day of high school, and committed to one of the best programs in the country, it can be easy to become comfortable and content with your situation. Or you can be like Seth Towns. Continuing to work tirelessly to improve and come into his own, Towns has been lights out this fall, playing on a completely different level than anyone else that has been at Coach Vic's for the last eight weeks. As his ball-handling has improved more than anything, Towns can get anywhere he wants off the dribble, which has led to an increase in his already limitless scoring ability. Committed to Harvard, many inside the program feel he could be the best player there right now, which speaks volumes to him as a prospect. Always playing with a smile and with great energy, I have been very fortunate to be able to cover Towns over the years.
Ky're Allison (6'1 PG / Portsmouth / 2016): Allison is a big-time guard that has flown way under the radar after playing on a relatively unknown AAU team this past summer. After scorching the nets and showing off elite athleticism as a slasher, distributor and defender, Allison was the top lead guard in the event on Sunday, and it really wasn't even close. Allison mentioned that he is being recruited by Wichita State, Marshall, and Ohio, among others, as he sure looked the part of a top five guard in Ohio's 2016 class. Playing along the Ohio River at Portsmouth High School, one of the state's top Division III programs, Allison seems to be this year's version of David Dennis Jr., as he is a hidden gem point guard prospect that is one of the coldest in Ohio.
Zach McIntire (6'5 SF / Delaware Hayes / 2016): Fresh off an offer from Division II Urbana, McIntire played great basketball on Sunday, as the Delaware Hayes wing formed a stellar duo with his high school teammate Yoakum. McIntire is a skilled shooter with a lot of deceptive athleticism, as he is drawing some early low major Division I attention. After a strong AAU season, McIntire is likely to have a big senior year as Delaware looks to remain at the top of the OCC-Capital division.
Mark Mayle (6'8 C / Malvern / 2018): If you haven't gotten hip to Mark Mayle yet, now might be a good time. The long and skillful 6-foot-8 Malvern big man has been a fixture at Coach Vic's Weekly Showcase for the last four weeks, and Sunday might've been his best performance yet. With great hands, a great feel, and the perimeter skills to be a problem for defenses, Mayle dominated the paint for his squad with Yoakum & Co., which was Sunday's best team. The biggest thing I like about Mayle is his motor, as he is not scared of anyone, which is half the battle for a lot of high school players. Flushing down a hard tip slam in the last scrimmage on Sunday, Mayle was a stud for the fourth week in a row.
Corey Benton (6'0 PG / Westerville North / 2016): One of the top defensive guards in the event, Benton came to play on Sunday, and we were really impressed with the level in which he shot the ball. Leading Westerville North in scoring the past two seasons, Benton is coming off a breakout junior season in which he averaged more than 20 points per game. With the ability to get hot in a hurry, Benton is a hard-nosed and gritty guard that gets the job done. We are looking forward to tracking him this season in the OCC-Cardinal division.
Max Huber (6'6 SF / Hilliard Davidson / 2016): Committing to Division II NAIA Indiana Tech at the conclusion of the event on Sunday, Huber had another standout showing after breaking out last weekend. Fresh off an official visit to Indiana Tech this past week, the Warrior coaching staff showed up in full force on Sunday, as Huber impressed with his length and athleticism once again. With a willingness to go at anyone on any given day, Huber is a late-blooming wing forward that is a great get for Indiana Tech, as the Warriors have added two Central Ohio commits in the last two weeks (Jason Boateng, Dublin Coffman).
Jermaine Murray (6'1 PG/SG / Central Crossing / 2016):The first-ever Central Crossing player to play in the event, Murray put on a stellar showing for the Comet program on Sunday, scoring and assisting at a high level, while playing with great energy and belief. A player that I've been high on since last season, Murray has a quick first step, and is electric as a play maker in the open floor. Driving the baseline and dishing off the nicest pass of the day in the final scrimmage on Sunday, Murray had a breakout showing, and we think that will do a lot for his confidence going forward.
Erron James (6'2 PG / Westerville Central / 2016): Athletic and cerebral guard that has been impressive lately as he is finally healthy after battling several nagging injuries during his junior year. James is shifty, athletic and has a quick first step, which helps him get to the lane with ease. With great elevation and a reliable outside jumper, James is a solid Division II prospect that is primed for a big senior year.
Khiry Shelton (6'8 C / Pickerington North / 2017): Drawing great reviews from event staff and scouts, Shelton had another stellar showing, as the nimble 6-foot-8 big man continues to come into his own here in Columbus after moving in from Houston, Texas. Using his wide-framed body well, Shelton can score it on multiple levels, as he can put the ball on the deck and score inside, while knocking down mid-range and perimeter jumpers with regularity. Coming into a Pickerington North program with a ton of young talent, Shelton is a kid that low-to-mid major programs should take a look at.
Brady Wildermuth (6'6 PF / Jackson Center / 2017): In his first time at Coach Vic's, Wildermuth was a key component on a team with Yoakum & Co., that won a lot of games on Sunday. Toughness is Wildermuth's game, as he is physical, active and smart, three qualities that led to his first offer from Division II Urbana earlier in September. With an ability to stretch the floor as a true stretch power forward, Wildermuth may play at a small town program in Jackson Center, but has big-time D2 talent.
Jaylyn Watkins (6'0 PG / Columbus Walnut Ridge / 2015): A guy that we have been high on since the fall of 2013, Watkins was a pleasant surprise on Sunday, as the former Walnut Ridge guard controlled the tempo for a team that went 6-1 on the day. Athletic and physical with a great first step, Watkins has really improved over the summer, as he has a greater feel for the game and has developed into a true point guard. Currently looking for a junior college or Division II program to play at, I really endorse Watkins as a good kid that has battled adversity and is ready for an opportunity.
BJ Hamilton (6'6 PF / Pickerington North / 2016): Hamilton is a tough SOB. Going to work in the post, Hamilton plays with a chip on his shoulder on both ends of the floor, as he has continued to improve since we first saw him last fall. Improving as a low-post scorer, Hamilton also showed an ability to step out and hit consistently from the perimeter, as he is looking more and more to be a really solid Division III prospect that should have a breakout senior campaign on a Pickerington North team with a lot of talent.
Corey Wyman (5'10 PG / Westfall / 2017): Another guy playing in Coach Vic's for the first time, Wyman impressed with his pick-and-roll play, scoring and assisting at a high percentage out of the P-and-R. With a quick release on his pull-up jumper, Wyman gets great elevation on his shot, which despite his size, helps him get it off over anyone. With great speed and a second-level gear, Wyman has been one of South Central Ohio's top guards the past two seasons, already scoring more than 500 points in his high school career.
Logan Swackhammer (6'0 PG / Chillicothe Unioto / 2018): One scout ranted and raved about Swackhammer's showing on the 'Winner's Court,' at Sunday's event, as the sophomore Unioto guard is becoming a household name of Coach Vic's Weekly Showcase. An athletic and energetic guard that can get up and down the floor in a hurry, Swackhammer is one of the best passers that we have seen in the 2018 class, as he can get the ball where it needs to go on a consistent basis. The type of guard that will lead you to a ton of wins, look for Swackhammer to have a breakout sophomore season.
Grant Gossard (6'7 PF / Olentangy Orange / 2016): High-IQ and active big man that was a beast on Sunday. Gossard finished a few strong tip dunks, while showing an ability to stretch the floor and knock down the perimeter jumper. The top prospect in an Olentangy Orange program that is improving, Gossard is a player that high Division II programs and strong academic Division I programs should be checking into.
Nick Musynzki (6'9 C / Columbus St. Charles / 2017): Large, wide-bodied big man that has impressed the last two weeks at the event. Musynski has a good feel, good hands, and knocks down the mid-range jumper consistently. With a wide and strong frame, Musynski hasn't backed down to anyone, as we loved his toughness and tenacity inside. At a solid St. Charles program that wins 12+ games each season, Musynzki is a player to keep an eye on in Central Ohio's 2017 class, as he has emerged as a top five big man in the last two weeks.
Bryson London (6'5 SF / New Albany / 2016): Versatile wing that played all five positions on the floor on Sunday. London has great length, athleticism, instincts and can really be a productive player when he is going his hardest. In a family with a ton of talented basketball lineage, look for London to be one of the OCC-Capital's top seniors this season. On Sunday, he impressed with his activity level on both ends of the floor, while knocking down the outside shot at a high level.
Quentin Jones (6'8 C / Columbus Northland / 2017): Wide-bodied big man that runs the floor well and is smart off the ball. A key reserve player on the Northland bench last season, we expect Jones to step into a starting role this year. Improving each week, Jones has a nice feel for the game and forms the biggest front court duo in the Columbus City League North alongside Towns.
Justin Ahrens (6'6 SF / Versailles / 2018): Great all-around prospect with a tremendous feel for the game. Ahrens stroke the ball from the corner on Sunday, in addition to cleaning up the glass on several occasions on the offensive end. The more we watch Ahrens, the more we think it's only a matter of time until his stock blows up. The younger brother of Michigan State freshman wing Kyle Ahrens, we see Justin playing at that level in a few years.
Brandon Waugh (6'1 PG / Columbus Northland / 2017): Event staff raved about Waugh's quickness on Sunday, as one scout even said Waugh might've been the fastest guard in the event. Waugh has come on strong over the last few months and is expected to be a key member of the Northland rotation this fall. A finesse guard that can get to the rim, Waugh is a guard to keep an eye on in the Columbus City League's 2017 class.
Jalen Stevens (6'0 PG / Columbus Northland / 2016): Shifty and composed guard that comes into Northland from Charleston Southern High School in Charleston, West Virginia. Stevens is a high-IQ lead guard that makes good decisions and can score off the dribble. Will be a newcomer to watch this season in the Columbus City League. We think Stevens would be a great fit at a Division II or III program looking for high-character players.