Nike All-Ohio City Series: Cincinnati Recap

DaJuan Sherman

This weekend the majority of the top HS talent in Cincinnati converged on Taft to tryout for a spot in the 2nd annual Nike All-Ohio City Series Battle for Ohio next weekend in Columbus. While all of the normal stars showed out to their potential CPHR spent the weekend looking for fresh faces that might have been flying under the radar; as well as putting a heavy emphasis on getting a head-start on evaluating the area's top freshman players. With so many players showing improvement since the end of AAU season this weekend will force CPHR to re-evaluate the rankings at each grade; particularly the '15 and '14 rankings (But watch out for a new face in the '13 rankings). After two action-packed days here are our thoughts: 

Breakout Performers:

DaJuan Sherman- ’15 West High PG: After hearing about his vision, handle, and confidence CPHR was very excited to check out Sherman for the first time. DaJuan put on an absolute show on Saturday as he scored at will in the lane, off the pullup, and found teammates via some spectacular passes. Already showing an IQ way beyond his years, and elite quickness with both his hands and feet, Sherman might be Cincinnati's 2nd best PG this early in 2015 behind Northwest's Isaiah Jones. 

Carlas Jackson- ’14 Roger Bacon SF: Son of former Bearcat AD Jackson, and starting to play like it, Carlas has some serious potential to be a stud for the Spartans. A long and fluid athlete who can shoot the ball effortlessly from downtown he showed enough ballskills to be considered a pure wing at 6'4. 

Latrell Tidwell

Malik Rhodes- ’14 Clark PG: A scoring PG that CPHR had seen a lot before but was extremely impressed with his improvement. Rhodes showed better decision making, a stronger frame, and an improved shooting stroke. Look for him to have a breakout year with Clark this season. 

Latrell Tidwell- ’14 North College Hill PF: Between this showcase and the Queen City Superstars no one has seen their profile rise quicker then Tidwell. An athletic and long combo forward with nice mid-range jumper and touch around the rim he shows signs of becoming a go to scorer at NCH. Has a semi-developed face-up game which overtime could make him an elite player in Cincinnati in 2014.

Martin Jones- ’14 Winton Woods SF: Jones has put himself squarely on the map as a small forward as he has transitioned from a skilled post to a big strong wing. Jones was stroking the three ball all weekend and is starting to show some ballhandling ability as well. If he keeps up his current level of play expect Martin to play a big role at Winton Woods this season.

Will Clifton- ’13 West High PF: Like Tidwell fans are learning the name Will Clifton. After moving to Cincinnati this summer from Atlanta he is on the verge of being known as one of the elite players in the city in his junior class. A super athlete at 6'6, who won the slam dunk contest (footage coming), Clifton has great touch around the rim and is a natural scorer. While his wing skills are in development his effort and IQ for the game make him a top tier player who CPHR will be watching closely with the Mustangs. 

Will Clifton

Will Cox- ’13 Princeton C: One of the best athletes in the state at 6'6 CPHR always knew that Cox, who was the slam dunk contest runner up, could jump. This weekend he showed that he might be worthy of a role on the Viking squad as he showed a high motor getting up and down the court and finished around the rim with good consistency. If he can continue to improve his skills Cox could become a standout player very soon.

Mark Minch- ’12 Lakota East SF: One of the elite talents in the 2012 class that has been on the scene for years Minch had a great weekend, starting to really put all of his potential together. A big and strong athlete with a great first step his jumper from mid-range, which he excels at creating off the dribble, was money and so was his finishing around the rim. When footage comes out from this weekend fans are going to be seriously impressed with the productiveness of "Chico". 

Floyd Lee- ’12 West High PF/C: After three years of struggling at Aiken CPHR has noticed a re-focused Lee over the last couple of weeks. A dynamic athlete with a mean streak and a willingness to block shots and rebound Lee is really coming into his own. He possesses nice touch around the rim and a relentlessness about the way that he attacks defenders. 

Floyd Lee

2015 Standouts:

Lamont West (Withrow SF), Seth Orlemon (Turpin C), Robert Tubbs (Sycamore PG), Lanis Owensbry (Clark PG), Brandon Aning (Monroe SG), George Brown (Colerain C), Jordan Bradley (Princeton PG), Isaiah Jones (Northwest PG), Germaine Britten (Northwest SG), Reggie Mack (Taft SG)

2014 Standouts:

Tyonte Robertson (Withrow PG), Correy Cavins (Aiken PG), Kenny Kaufman (Taft SG), Tamarik Washington (Taft SG), Marcus Scott (Taft SG), Larry Moore (Withrow PG), Isaiah Thompson (Withrow PG), Kevin Daniels (Hughes SF), David Mitchell (Hughes PF), Adam Gigax (Moeller PF), Blake Simpson (Moeller PF), Dwight Nared (Hughes C), Kiere Bennie (Colerain PG), Trey Lampley (St. Xavier SG), Ahmad Frost (Wyoming PG), Jeff Larkin (LaSalle PG/SG), Devyn Walker (Northwest SG), Cole Cloud (Reading PG)

2013 Standouts:

Eric Tivis (Princeton SF), Dorian Jordan (Princeton PG), Kevin Johnson (Summit PG), Monty Boykins (Lakota West SG), Devin Williams (Withrow PF), Austin Grimes (Aiken SG), Mikey Thompson (Aiken SF), Trent Donald (Winton Woods SF/PF), Tim Coleman (Withrow PG), Corey Wise (Withrow SG), Ramar Hairston (Northwest SG), Bryan Porter (Colerain SF)

2012 Standouts:

Orlando Berry Jr (Taft PG), Willie Moore (Aiken SG), Geovonie McKnight (Middletown SG), Jalean Lowe (Taft SF), Andrew Mitchell (Walnut Hills SG), Rozelle Nix (Withrow C), Paul Woodson (Aiken PF), Malcolm Smith (Princeton SG), Josh Lemons (LaSalle PG), Lionel Hill (West High PG), Kendall Beamon (Withrow PG/SG), Chris Connell (Woodward C)

Check back with CPHR all week as we will have the official rosters of the 10 players from each grade that will be representing Cincinnati in the statewide event next week, as well as a preview of the Columbus championships. CPHR also has tons of video highlights of the event which should be available by late Monday. 


Note: Withrow junior guard Tim Coleman won the three point shooting competition