Queen City Superstars Season Preview- Recap

Zach McCorkle

The first annual Queen City Superstars Season Preview took place on Saturday evening at Woodward HS, hosted by Woodward head coach Lanis Timmons and his wife Annie. The event turned out to be a great success as fans were able to watch five games, eight of the ten teams being local teams that CPHR covers regularly, each consisting of two 8 minute halves. After checking out all five games we have some thoughts, as well as recaps, of what each team showed us tonight. With the season beginning in only six days the games were competitive and for most teams it was their last practice game before the real season begins on Friday. Game Photos 

• Winton Woods 29 Withrow 21: The final game of the day was billed as the main event in the days leading up to the preview. Withrow, CPHR's pre-season #1 team in Division I, could not handle the defensive pressure of an equally deep and athletic Winton Woods team that capitalized on every Withrow mistake to get easy baskets on the other end. CPHR came away extremely impressed with the inside play of Winton Woods starting front court of senior PF Zach McCorkle, junior SF/PF Kwan Cheatham, and junior SF/PF Trent Donald. All three showed toughness and energy on the glass while providing a lot of scoring on the offensive end. With Cheatham as a shooter, Donald as a creator, and McCorkle as a dirty work guy (who played one of his best ever games today) the Warriors have great promise inside. Sophomore PG Ronnie Rousseau, under the bright lights for the first time, was excellent as well as he created offense, took care of the ball, and hit two open three pointers. Withrow was led by junior post Devin Williams and junior guard Corey Wise. Williams was able to get some baskets inside when matched 1-1 but for the most part the Warriors defense did a good job helping on him and making him take tough shots. 

Kwan Cheatham

• Colerain 30 Woodward 21: The point guard play of junior Deiontay Waiters and sophomore Kiere Bennie sparked the Cardinals as they continue their scrimmage style of using pressure defense to turnover teams and create easy offense. While they didn't shoot the ball very well the inside presence of junior CJ Reed and senior transfer Allante Foster was strong on the boards and able to finish some misses. Woodward was led by junior wing Tyrone Whitehead and senior wing Eric Hill for a team that was able to get stops but needs to continue to improve on the offensive end. 

• Trotwood Madison 40 Hughes 37: While there are never moral victories at the varsity level Coach Wyant has to be pleased with the improvement that his Hughes Big Red squad has made from last season. A huge portion of that improvement can be attributed to sophomore PG Angel Rivera, a transfer who just arrived in the United States from Puerto Rico. Rivera showed tremendous court vision, ballhandling, and confidence in handling pressure. While he isn't the quickest guard in the city his understanding of how to change speed and direction made it tough for pressing Trotwood defenders to check him. Sophomore wing Kevin Daniels handled most of the scoring duties for Hughes as he attacked the rim and scored efficiently around the basket. While they are far from a finished product this Hughes team could potentially make a big jump in the CMAC standings this season. 

Angel Rivera

• Lockland 30 Talawanda 21: Junior SG Dylan Wedlock led the Panthers in scoring over a team that they were able to athletically dominate. Wedlock showed off a nice mid-range shooting stroke while scoring points from a variety of spots on the floor. Junior guard DJ Wingfield also impressed as, with Lockland missing C Avery Barnes, he guarded all five positions on the floor at various points as he is their tallest player at 6'5. Wingfield also played some PG offensively for the Panthers and did a nice job of setting up the Panthers zone motion offense. 

• Fairfield 40 Shroder 25: The Indians came out scorching the nets and never looked back as they buried at least seven three pointers in the blow out win. Senior guards Devon Barlow and James Turner each hit a couple three balls and paced the scoring while guard Kyle Smith showed the best shooting touch by hitting a trio of treys. Fairfield's most impressive player was sophomore PG Tim Fleming who did a nice job of penetrating and kicking to create the open threes as well as handling the pressure of the Shroder defense. The Shroder Jags were paced by senior PG Trey Dees who was able to penetrate and find open teammates but shots simply were not falling for a Shroder team that is still trying to find an offensive identity. 

Moeller @ Lakota East (Foundation Game) Recap:

Alex Voss

The Crusaders ran away with the game midway through the third when they scored 10 straight, capped by a powerful two hand dunk from senior post Tony Sabato, en route to a 62-43 road win over hosts Lakota East on Friday night in each teams foundation game; a game that is played like a normal high school game but does not count towards either team's record. Event Photos

Moeller went deep into their bench early and often and got consistent play from their whole team all night. Holding down the point duties while junior Keith Watkins makes the transition from football was senior SG Ben Galemmo. While he led Moeller with 16 points, including 4 three pointers, it was his improved feel for running the offense that impressed CPHR. Once they entered the ball to start the play Galemmo became more of a SG as junior wing Josh Davenport became the guy counted on to attack and create. 

Perhaps the most impressive player tonight for the Crusaders, Alex Voss, scored 11 points and showed some real aggressiveness that should lead to a big senior season for the forward. Voss has good height for a forward at 6'5 but can play like a guard and really passes the ball well. Moe's other top contributors were Tony Sabato with 8 points, junior post Pat Wrencher with 6, and Davenport with 4.

The three sophomores playing up with the varsity did impress as SG Grant Benzinger played the most minutes and scored 5 points while PG Trey Hawkins and post Blake Simpson did see some minutes sparingly.

Stedman Lowry

A Lakota East team devastated by the loss of senior wing Mark Minch, who is out until at least mid-January with a foot injury, has turned to junior SG's Stedman Lowry and Robbie Harpring for scoring. They led the way against the Crusaders as Lowry scored 12 and Harpring added 11, the only two Thunderhawks in double figures. Both are very good shooters and Lowry showed CPHR an increased ability to create his own shot off the dribble, and the confidence to attack, both things that East will need early and often from him. Junior post Zach Panzeca played tough down low against the army of Moeller big men and sophomore PG Ryan Leppert showed why East coaches think he is the point man of the future as his vision is excellent and will get better with some refinement. 

The main bright spot for Lakota East was the play of their two freshman on the varsity level. Wing/forward Myo Baxter, a big bodied scorer with athleticism, and small but skilled combo guard Dylan Lowry each provided quality sparks off the bench and should be major contributors all season long.

Tuesday & Wednesday Scrimmage Report.......

Two high profile scrimmages in two days for CPHR as we continue to watch teams show signs of how good they can be this year. Here are our thoughts from Tuesday and Wednesday action.....

Middletown's Chance Sorrel

Results from Tuesday's four team scrimmage at Dayton Dunbar HS: 

• Taft: Finished with a 3-0 record behind the shooting stroke of senior wing Jalean Lowe, who hit about a dozen triples in the three games. Senior post Adolphus Washington is slowly getting his basketball touch back and was effective on the block against the bigger Northland defenders. With Orlando Berry and Jermaine Freeman taking care of ballhandling duties the Senators got a lift from senior wing Fred Cannaday, starting for the injured Dwayne Stanford. Fred was able to take defenders off the dribble, hit the three pointer, and provided great energy on the defensive end. If the scrimmage at Dunbar taught us one thing it's that the road to the Ohio Division II State Title goes through Taft. 

• Middletown: Still playing without two starters, as Jalin Marshall and Zach Edwards recover from football injuries, the Middies played very well posting a 1-2 record with a win over Columbus Northland. While the Middies did struggle against the pressure defense of Taft and Dunbar they got solid attacking play from senior combo guard Geovonie McKnight. The key to the Middletown season might be how productive sophomore forward Vince Edwards and sophomore center Chance Sorrel are inside. Both had very good games in the win over a larger and physical Northland squad. 

Northland's Ty Hairston

• Dayton Dunbar: The hosts left the gym unhappy with their 1-2 win, the lone win coming against Middletown, but there obviously is talent on the team and it seems like they just had a bad day. Senior forward Deontae Hawkins and junior forward Damarion Geter weren't particularly active and Dunbar decided to shorten their rotation, which also hampered their intensity. Senior guard Andre Yates and senior wing Gary Akbar handled most of the scoring load for the Wolverines. Ultra-talented young guards Willie Greene (sophomore) and AJ Harris (freshman) struggled some against the pressure of such accomplished older players but showed that they have the talent to be stars at the highest level. 

• Columbus Northland: The almost unanimous preseason #1 team in Ohio at the Division I level did not play like it at Dunbar by posting a 1-2; with their lone win coming off a controversial no-call goaltending play against Dunbar. Northland did have two players produce however. Senior post Devon Scott looks like he might be a steal for the University of Dayton as his production on the boards and defense was matched by an increased offensive awareness down low, as well as flashing to the high post and passing the ball out of some of the Vikings' set plays. The other intriguing piece to the puzzle was the lone non-senior starter in SG Ty Hairston. Although he has some development left to do Hairston showed nice aggressiveness as well as some passing and ball-handling abilities. 

Results from Wednesday's three team scrimmage at Aiken:

Dunbar's AJ Harris

• Aiken: The Falcons are much improved in both their halfcourt offense and defense, providing a nice change of pace from the usual Aiken teams. Offensively senior SG Willie Moore did a nice job driving the lane and creating shots for the hot shooting sophomore SG Correy Cavins. The team also was effective in getting high-low action and lobbing the ball to senior forward Paul Woodson for easy scores. Defensively Aiken pressured the ball, led by senior PG Stevon Nelms, and forced some turnovers. It was poor ballhandling decisions against pressure that cost the Falcons some wins as late in games their lack of depth did show some. Aiken finished 1-1 against Winton Woods and 1-1 against Princeton. 

• Princeton: The Vikings might be a little disappointed in dropping both games to Winton Woods and splitting with Aiken but they were playing without likely leading scorer Malcolm Smith, a senior wing, who is out a few days with a minor injury. Senior combo guard Deion Isham was excellent today in attacking the rim and creating offense. Princeton got better play off the bench today but it is still a little tough to figure out exactly which players will fit best into Coach Anderson's rotation as most have played with inconsistency. 

• Winton Woods: In games CPHR saw Winton Woods posted the most wins, with a 2-0 record over Princeton and a 1-1 split against Aiken. This team is young but the talent is crazy! 6'7 junior wing Kwan Cheatham looked much improved today as his signature three point shot was falling and he was more active inside on the boards. Junior forward Trent Donald also was a high scorer for the Warriors as his power inside was tough for teams to match. The Warriors are another team that is extremely effective as a pressing defense but not yet refined at playing against the press as sophomores Ronnie Rousseau and Demetrius Suesberry showed their obvious talents but they also have to work on slowing down against pressure and not forcing the issue. By mid-season Winton Woods might be the team to beat in Division I locally. 

After enjoying Thanksgiving tomorrow CPHR will be spending all day Friday and Saturday in the gym seeing some of the top teams in Cincinnati, and Soutwest Ohio; stay tuned!

Saturday 11/19 Scrimmage Report

Erron Nichols

Cincy Prep Hoops Report was all over the Greater Cincinnati area today, hitting 5 different scrimmages in an 8 hour period, trying to get a better feel for who the top teams are going into the season; which is creeping up quicker and quicker. Here are some thoughts on what we saw today........

• Middletown @ Withrow
• Middletown: New coach Josh Andrews seems to have really emphasized rebounding as his team did a great job boxing out the bigger Withrow team and pushing the break. While he didn't have a huge scoring day senior PG Geovonie McKnight did a excellent job setting up teammates and deferred most of the scoring duties to star sophomore wing Vincent Edwards. A bright spot for Middletown was 6'6 sophomore Chance Sorrel, who missed last year with injury. Sorrel is a wide-body inside with a love for physicality, soft hands, and the decent ability to run the floor. Considering that two starters have still not joined the team yet, as they took a week off after football season, the Middies appear to have one of Cincy's top Division I squads. 
• Withrow: The depth of Withrow continues to overwhelm CPHR. Missing big men Rozelle Nix and Devin Williams, as well as PG Tyonte Robertson, for the first two quarters the Tigers still used 6 quality players and beat Middletown by 7 points in those quarters. Senior forwards Erron Nichols and Tyler Jordan continue to be the story as their versatility from the wing of post, toughness on defense, and athletic rebounding ability make substituting that much more difficult for Coach Gilbert. For the guards, juniors Tim Coleman and Corey Wise were aggressive attacking and creating shots today while senior Damon Gooch showed consistent range on his jumpshot. 

Luke Kennard

• Franklin/Turpin @ Woodward 
• Franklin: For a unknown Division II team the Franklin Wildcats are really good, and really big! 6'5 freshman wing Luke Kennard, CPHR's #1 ranked freshman, played the point today for a team that plays a 6'6 post and two 6'8 forwards in the Rossi twins. Franklin also has the shooting ability to stretch the floor and showed a variety of well played defenses that kept opponents off balance. 
• Turpin: Sophomore guard Zach McCormick continues to show CPHR that he is one of Ohio's elite talents in his class as he was able to create shots off the dribble while the rest of the Spartan team showed they are a deep and talented group capable of making a run at Walnut Hills for the FAVC divisional crown. 
• Woodward: The Bulldogs struggled for the day but did have spurts of pressure defense turning into instant offense as they were the most athletic team at their scrimmage. Senior SF Eric Hill led the scoring for Woodward.

• Walnut Hills @ Shroder
• Walnut Hills: While they didn't have their most efficient day the Eagles got a lift from junior PG Kyree Burton who's three point shot was falling while he also was able to attack the lane. The Eagles might not have great depth but they have a talented starting group that should be really hard for opposing offenses to score on. 
• Shroder: The Jaguars impressed with their defensive intensity and played just as well on offense as they played Walnut Hills to a tie. Senior PG Trey Dees did a good job pushing the ball and then becoming more of a scorer in the half court, something that Shroder will desperately need. Senior posts Ladell Griffin and Randale Griffith did a good job on WH star post Isaiah Johnson while contributing offensively by running the floor and making some nice passes out of post-up situations when they were double teamed. 

• Colerain @ Covington Holmes (KY)
• Colerain: The Cardinals are very talented but are definitely a work in progress. The depth at the guard spot is incredible with Kiere Bennie and Bryan Porter leading the way today while Eli'sha Campbell, Milt Davis, Deiontay Waiters, and Kane Thompson played their role. Missing two of their bigger players Colerain turned up the heat and forced several Holmes turnovers; effectively turning defense into offense with fastbreak buckets. Their half court offense is in development but with their defensive effort the Cards should start the season on a good note. 

• Summit @ Simon Kenton (KY)
• Summit: In a physical full mock-game scrimmage the Silver Knights rallied from a halftime deficit to defeat Simon Kenton 60-51. The Knights look like a good team but with senior SG Tommy Kreyenhagen sidelined until February with a shoulder injury an even  heavier burden is going to be placed on junior PG Kevin Johnson and sophomore PG Antonio Woods. Both looked great today as Johnson aggressively attacked the rim and scored while Woods played his usual set-up role, with double digit assists and only one turnover. Without Kreyenhagen the Knights are in need of shooting and they might have found a spark with Joey Kreyenhagen, Tommy's sophomore brother, who provided good minutes off the bench. 

With some big time scrimmages coming up this week stay tuned to CPHR for all the team reports!

Dayton Dunbar @ Lasalle- Scrimmage Report

Cincy Prep Hoops Report had a chance to stop by the home of the defending Ohio Division I State Champions, the LaSalle Lancers, as they scrimmaged one of the most hyped teams in the midwest this season in Dayton Dunbar. In a fast and furious run, which Dunbar's starters were able to comfortably defeat LaSalle with their pressure and overwhelming firepower, we learned a lot about both teams:

Sophomore PG/SG Jeff Larkin could have a breakout year

LaSalle Lancers- 

• This team is going to have to find a way to handle pressure with other players besides Josh Lemons. Dunbar's defense was most effective because it wore Lemons down; and with Lemons worn down it becomes tough for the Lancers to run offense and get to the rim (remember Lemons is the only returning starter off the State Championship team). 
• This team shoots the ball much better then last year. Lemons, Connor Speed, Chris Rodriguez, Jeff Larkin, and several other Lancer role-players really looked good shooting the ball. The outside shot is critical to the LaSalle offense as teams have to be careful how much they help off of shooter while defending Lemons and the Lancer's complex Princeton offense.
• Pressure can beat pressure. Even though they struggled against the Dunbar starters the Lancers were able to apply pressure of their own, in typical LaSalle style, causing turnovers and leading to easy buckets. 
• The two football stars- Joe Berger and Ryan Leahy give this team a true inside dynamic that they didn't have last year. Both these players provide rebounding, finishing, experience, and toughness in the Lancer system. 
• The thing that CPHR most noticed tonight about LaSalle- Jeff Larkin is ready to play! The 6'0 sophomore combo guard is a pure shooter that can take his man off the dribble and pull up with a quick release. Larkin also handles the ball, and tough pressure, very well for a sophomore. Most importantly to Coach Fleming is that Larkin has the quickness, tenacity, and tough mentality to guard opposing guards and turn them over in the Lancer press.

Dayton Dunbar Wolverines-

• Believe the hype! The Wolverines are as good as advertised. Their projected starting five was the one that took the floor tonight and dominated the game. Seniors Andre Yates, Gary Akbar, and Deontae Hawkins all looked motivated to make a run to another Dunbar State Championship.
• Freshman PG Amos "AJ" Harris is for real! Considered one of the truly elite PG's in the country for freshman Harris was sensational off the dribble by rocking his man to sleep and delivering pin-point passes into tight locations. What CPHR loved about Harris tonight was the look of his lefty shooting stroke and his ability to control the game, without trying to do too much. 
• They have more depth then people realize. Dunbar ran 12 different players into the game and really didn't miss a beat. Their size and strength inside was a pleasant surprise as several wide-bodied big men provide a nice complement to the leaner 6'7 Deontae Hawkins and 6'7 Damarion Geter. CPHR was particularly impressed with the bench spark provided by 6'3 junior PF/C Jamal Clemmens and 6'0 senior PG/SG LaQuon Archie. 
• Sophomore combo guard Willie Green will have a chance to be very good. Harris and Green seem like the Dunbar backcourt of the future as Green has big time quickness and a killer mentality that, with some refinements to his decision making, can turn him into a elite scorer. At 6'2 with athleticism, a tight handle, and a knack for blowing by his man Green is able to get in the lane and score at will but needs to focus on making the simple play, as opposed to the spectacular to reach his potential. 

Saturday Scrimmage Report

Most of Cincinnati's teams started the fall scrimmage season over the weekend and CPHR was able to take in action at two locations Saturday. The competition was intense and we were reminded just how much depth there is in the city as Taft, Princeton, Withrow, and Lakota West all showed versatile lineups that were loaded with talent.....

• Taft @ Princeton
• Taft- Playing without an injured Dwayne Stanford and without Adolphus Washington (official visit to UC for football) the Senators relied heavily on their three other returning guys; Orlando Berry Jr, Jermaine Freeman, and Jalean Lowe. The Senators played several new varsity players and were effective in their pressure defense, winning 4 out 6 periods against Princeton (and defeating the Vikings in total score). The Senator offense relied on the abilities of Berry and Freeman to get the ball downcourt in a hurry and score it or kick to Jalean Lowe who, along with senior guards Ra'saan Jackson and Fred Cannaday, his several three pointers. 
• Princeton- The Vikings should be able to overwhelm most teams with their depth, athleticism, and pressuring style of play. Unfortunately for them today they played Taft, who is not most teams. The Senators turned the tables on the Vikings and won the battle of tempo and pressure, forcing Princeton in too way too many turnovers. The Vikings did show that they belong in the conversation for best D1 team in the city as Deion Isham and Malcolm Smith enjoyed solid scoring days another 10 players providing sparks in their roles. 

• Group Scrimmage @ Lakota West
• Lakota West- Before the scrimmage everyone knew that Monty Boykins, Ali Barnes, and Tyler Williams could play. What fans did not know is that West is a physical, deep, athletic, and much improved team from last year that can really push the tempo of a game. Boykins has taken his offensive game to a whole new level and was relentless attacking the rim while several of his teammates knocked down shots. Playing fullcourt without traditional big men the Firebirds showed that this year their offense can match their defense in a program known for intensity. 
• Withrow- Going into today CPHR was torn as to if Withrow, Princeton, or Moeller was the top D1 team in Cincinnati pre-season. After today, although we haven't seen Moeller, it's tough to not pick Withrow as they dominated teams with their depth and size. Devin Williams scored at will in the post, along with senior Rozelle Nix, and their group of guards did a great job feeding the big men all day long. Senior forwards Erron Nichols and Tyler Jordan also showed that they will be playing huge roles this year as they led Withrow in scoring at times while providing toughness, energy, and leadership.
• Trotwood Madison, Loveland, Reading, and Talawanda also participated.

• Rumblings from around the city........
• Word is that Moeller handily defeated Springboro yesterday in their scrimmage.
• Roger Bacon is said to have a nice core of young talent, in particular the development of sophomore wing Carlas Jackson. Bacon defeated Northwest and Hughes in today.
• West High and Covington Catholic (KY) split games today in a tri-scrimmage.
• Winton Woods defeated Badin

Willie Moore Signs with Duquesne

Moore with Aiken head coach Leon Ellison

Today was a busy day for college and high school coaches across America as it was the first day of the fall signing period for Division I schools. Over 30 players across Ohio are currently committed to Division I schools with most planning to sign their National Letter of Intent during the one week fall period. 

While two Cincinnati prospects are committed to Division I schools as of press time CPHR had only received word of one of them signing. Moeller C Tony Sabato is expected to sign with Elon this week; while Aiken SG Willie Moore, Triple Double Prospects top ranked SG in Ohio in 2012, signed his LOI with Duquesne out of the Atlantic 10. 

In a signing day ceremony at the school Aiken coach Leon Ellison expressed how proud he was of Willie both on and off the court, and particularly in the classroom as his dream is coming to fruition; to play Division I college basketball. Moore says he is ready for the challenge and looking forward to his time in Pittsburgh playing with the Dukes. 

More photos from the ceremony are available on CPHR's Twitter (@CincyPrepHoops) and Facebook (search Cincy Prep Hoops Report) pages. 

Brewster Duo Signs their LOI's

Former Cincinnati high school stars Aaron Thomas and Semaj Christon also signed letters of intent today. Christon, a '11 graduate of Winton Woods, signed with Xavier where he is being billed as the impact PG of the future to replace Tu Holloway. Thomas, a scoring wing and '11 graduate of Withrow, sent his signature to Florida State; where he has been committed since fall of his senior year of Withrow last school year. 

Nike All-Ohio City Series: Columbus Finals Recap

Mark Minch

Just as every basketball fan familiar with the City Series event would've expected the 2nd edition of Jerry Watson's "Battle of Ohio" event was 48 hours of non-stop intensity. In the end Cincinnati made it to the championship game in two of the four age groups, but was not able to capture any championships; as Columbus took three trophies with Cleveland taking home the freshman title. Here's a look at how the Cincinnati teams fared in Columbus this past weekend..........
 EVENT PHOTOS 

Seniors (4-0-1 Round Robin) (Lost in Championship to Columbus)

• Mark Minch- The Lakota East SG took his game to a whole new level in Columbus and was the primary reason why Cincinnati made the finals. No one in the gym on either day could check Minch as he used his physicality and athleticism to get to the rim and score with great touch or pulled up with his patented mid-range game. If Minch continues this level of play he will be the senior that breaks out this season. Like Aiken's Willie Moore he is starting to find a consitency to his game that will make him a top flight prospect. 
• Willie Moore- To make the championship game the senior team knew that they would have to get scoring out of Willie Moore and as he has all fall he delivered. CPHR just can't believe what a consistency Moore has added to his play, taking his talents to a whole new level. The Aiken SG exploded off the floor with more bounce thanks to weight room work and his jumper also looked as pure as it has ever looked. 
• Rozelle Nix- The Cincinnati senior big men all played with great effort this weekend but none matched Withrow C Rozelle Nix. He just continues to improve and breakout as he looked to be in improved condition and really got up and down the floor well. Not only was Nix able to block shots and rebound as he always does, he was able to score around the rim. Rozelle produced some highlight dunks in traffic and even showed off an improved drop step and hook shot off the low block.  

Jermaine Freeman

• Jermaine Freeman- The Taft SG understood what his role was on the team: Be the vocal leader and be the toughest kid on the court. In a close win over Cleveland the first game Jermaine did just that in shutting down highly regarded Cleveland Benedictine '12 PG Desmond Ridenour. Freeman took advantage of smaller guards all weekend by using his superior strength to bully them around the rim and score or to find teammates off the dribble, as he played a lot of PG for the senior team.
• Paul Woodson (Aiken PF), Chris Connell (Woodward C), Malcolm Smith (Princeton SG), Geovonie McKnight (Middletown PG/SG), and Lionel Hill (West High PG) also helped the senior team as they gutted out and undefeated (with one tie) round robin record before falling in the finals. 

Juniors (2-3 Round Robin)

• Devin Williams- At times Williams looked like he was several years too developed to be playing in this event. It started off with the 34 point and 20 rebound effort against Dayton and kept going through much of the weekend as Williams tied Cleveland Garfield Heights SF/PF Tony Farmer as the top junior in the competition. Williams shot the ball purely out to 17 feet and was unstoppable using his strength to overpower opponents. 
• Corey Wise-The Withrow SG had a breakout weekend showing a level of passion and toughness that CPHR had previously not seen from Wise. For years Corey has been able to attack off the dribble and pull up for his pretty mid-range jumper but his consistent motive to get to the rim this weekend kept his Junior team in the games. Also showing the ability to play some PG when needed CPHR is really excited to watch the progress of Wise at Withrow this season. 

Corey Wise

• Austin Grimes- The Aiken SG showed a lot of heart by taking over primary ballhandling duties as well as being forced to be a go to scorer when Devin Williams was on the bench. In a blowout loss to Toledo CPHR was impressed with the resiliency of Grimes as he kept competing and attacking the basket. His continuously improving handle is really going to help his recruiting stock this season. 
• While the Juniors didn't finish with record they would've liked to they also received solid play from Kevin Johnson (Summit PG), Eric Tivis (Princeton SF), Brennan Ferrell (Milford SG), Will Clifton (West High PF), and Monty Boykins (Lakota West SG). Boykins played great in the first two games but was unable to attend the last three. 

Sophomores (4-1 Round Robin) (Lost in Championship to Columbus)

• Jeff Larkin- The LaSalle SG proved that despite being small he has all-world toughness, can play with anyone in the state, and is ready for the big show at LaSalle this season. Larkin was one of the most consistent scorers in the event as he showed an ability to blow by his man and finish through contact around the rim, as well as shoot the ball from deep off the catch of off the dribble. A tough defender and clutch offensive player he should have a great year at LaSalle. 

Martin Jones

• Martin Jones- The Winton Woods product has gone from undersized PF to big SG in just a matter of months. Possibly the most consistent scorer in the entire sophomore division this weekend Martin was able to score from all three levels. A very good set shooter who showed an improved mid-range pull up game, CPHR was most impressed with his improved handle that allowed him to score around the rim. If Jones can consistently guard quicker perimeter players, as he did this weekend, he should be an impact guard in the FAVC as a sophomore. 
• Tyonte Robertson- The Withrow PG has his up's and down's over the weekend but showed why he is one of the state's elite PG talents, and probably still at the top of the list. In a 35 point effort in the championship game loss to Columbus Robertson was unstoppable off the dribble. His defensive abilities on the ball and array of finishing or passing moves in transition make him a special talent to keep evaluating as he improves.  
• Adam Gigax- The Moeller SF/PF did what we all know he is going to do: knock down three pointers. But he also did so much more; Gigax led the Cincinnati sophomores in assists, was able to guard much quicker perimeter players, and showed an improved ability to attack off the dribble. Gigax's controlled style on the drive fits perfectly into the GCL style and CPHR is wondering if he has made enough on an ascension to be a role player on the varsity this season. 
• Blake Simpson- While the Moeller post didn't have his best day finishing around the rim CPHR was extremely impressed with how hard he played on every possession. Showing off some new moves, and a better understanding of how to use his power, around the block Simpson was able to get his shot's at will and scored off second (and even third) efforts several times. Being forced to sometimes guard smaller players and sometimes guard bigger players he showed great toughness in slowing his man down. 
• CPHR's own ended up coaching the sophomore team and finished Sunday extremely proud with the effort and resiliency that this squad showed. All 10 of the players that participated should become known players by the end of their sophomore years. The rest of the Sophomore team was Kiere Bennie (Colerain PG), Kevin Daniels (Hughes SG), David Mitchell (Hughes SF/PF), Larry Moore (Withrow PG), and Latrell Tidwell (North College Hill PF).  

Jordan Bradley, Germaine Britten, Robert Tubbs

Freshman (0-5 Round Robin)

• The freshman just couldn't get it all the way right this event as short numbers and shorter height caused them to struggle on the bigger stage. CPHR would like to commend the players that did attend for not backing down. The five players that represented Cincinnati were Jordan Bradley (PG Princeton), Germaine Britten (SG Northwest), Robert Tubbs (PG/SG Sycamore), Lamont West (SF/PF Withrow), and Seth Orlemon (C Turpin). Bradley and Britten in particular were most effective scoring the ball as they have advanced skills for their age group and the confident mentality to try and take over games. 

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

Josh Lemons De-Commits

LaSalle senior PG Josh Lemons has re-opened his recruitment, backing off from his previous verbal commitment to Southeastern Louisiana Univ, a Division I program from the Southland Conference. Lemons cited the distance as well as previously having rushed into a decision before thinking things all the way through as reasons for his decommitment.

Now that he is back on the board Josh expects to begin hearing from Morehead St as well as several other Division I programs that were recruiting him again. Lemons said that SE Louisiana is still an option but not the place that he wants to commit to at this time. With the fall signing period coming in just a few weeks it appears that Lemons will play his senior season at LaSalle and sign with a school in the spring; potentially opening the door for more schools to evaluate him.

Ross PF Mischkulnig headed to Maryville

2012 PF Max Mischkulnig of Ross high school has verbally committed to play Division II basketball at Maryville University in Missouri. A 6'8 skilled forward with a face up game and great length Mischkulnig should be able to create mismatches at the power forward spot at the Division II level. A prospect that flew under the radar as a late bloomer Max turned several heads of college coaches in July with his strong play with Club Ohio AAU.

Mischkulnig becomes the second Cincinnati area player to pledge to Maryville, joining fellow under the radar (but recruiting steal) forward Drew Hall, of McNicholas.

According to his AAU coach Max chose Maryville over interest from Northern Kentucky and several other regional Division II schools.

Rossi's headed over the bridge.........

Jacob Rossi

6'8 twin brothers Jacob and Justin Rossi, forwards from Franklin high school, have given their verbal commitment to Northern Kentucky University. After a weekend visit in which the brothers were blown away by the new facilities that the NKU program has built, all part of their process of moving from Division II to Division I (which they could be as early as next season), they were sold that the Norse were the right fit for their family. The proximity to home also was a factor as they referenced their parents being able to see almost all of their games as a deciding factor as well.

Jacob, more of a SF, should play a valuable role on the wing from the get-go at NKU as his versatility for his size makes him a difficult matchup. A very good shooter who can pass, put it on the floor, and is an above average athlete, Jacob has all the tools that Division I college coaches look for.

Justin has the same size and athleticism as his brother but plays more of a down low game, where he really thrives as a turnaround jump shooter off the block. A high motor player, Justin will also have an opportunity to earn playing time for the Norse.

Justin Rossi

NKU won the recruiting battle for the forwards by beating out Division II top programs such as Bellarmine, Lincoln Memorial, and West Liberty; as well as Division I Manhattan and St. Francis (PA).

The Rossi's become the 3rd and 4th Ohio commitments for NKU in the 2012 class as they are joined by Lima Senior SG Tyler White and Chaminade Julienne PF/C John Staley.

Weekend Recruiting News.....

• Colerain senior wing Eli'sha Campbell tells CPHR that he is getting the most interest from Miami (OH) with Toledo, Akron, Arkansas, and Miami (FL) also showing some interest. Campbell expects the Redhawks to offer as soon as he gets the results back from his latest ACT test. 

• Geovonie McKnight enjoyed his trip to Eastern Kentucky for a quick unofficial visit. Due to travel complications McKnight didn't get to see everything he had planned on seeing but did get to watch the team conduct a workout. Geovonie told CPHR that he plans to wait until after his senior season to make a college choice.

• CPHR would like to congratulate former Aiken SF Darren Goodson, a '09 graduate currently at Pensacola State Community College (FL), on committing to play at Kent State next season. Goodson, who was considered on of Ohio's top seniors in 2009 was originally signed to play at Bowling Green before going the Junior College route. A 6'5 slasher with power and a tough minded attitude Goodson can score with anyone and has the athleticism to create matchup problems in the MAC. 

• After big weekend's at the Queen City Superstars Showcase CPHR got great feedback from Division II and III college coaches on some of the local big men. Coaches from 6 different schools mentioned Floyd Lee (West High), Chris Connell (Woodward), Brandon Murphy (Fairfield), and Zach McCorkle (Winton Woods) as guys that they will be watching closely during their senior seasons. 

• Paul Woodson had good things to say about his visit to pre-season #2 ranked Divsion II Lincoln Memorial in Tennessee. Woodson also plans on re-visiting top 15 pre-season Division II Central State (near Dayton) this week. While those two schools are out in the lead for Woodson he is considering some other schools. Woodson has pushed back his decision date from next week to late November, right before the start of HS games. 

• Division II Kentucky State has begun recruiting West High PG Lionel "Bubba" Hill. An under the radar scoring guard with great speed and a pure jumper Hill will be a steal for any coach at the Division II level. Similar to Taft's Orlando Berry Jr he lacks size but has a big game to make up for it. 

Lemons Headed Down South

'12 LaSalle PG Josh Lemons has given a verbal commitment to Southeastern Louisiana University, a Division I program from the Southland Conference. The Lions who finished 15-14 last season, and 9-7 in conference, should expect a big boost in their scoring from the speedy Lemons. A 6'1 scoring point guard with a great first step and deep shooting range Josh is a great get for Coach Jim Yarbrough.

After a busy summer of attending several elite camps all over the region, and playing AAU with his All-Ohio Purple team, Josh strongly considered Morehead State, Elon, and several MAC schools before deciding to make an early commitment to SE Louisiana, which is located less then hour from New Orleans.

As a junior last year Lemons was the leading scorer for the Division I State Champs where he averaged 13.6 points a game. Lemons finished fifth in the league in scoring, first in steals, among the leaders in assists, and was named the GCL-South Player of the Year; to go along with several All-Region and All-State accolades.

Speaking on behalf of the family Josh's father, Dave Lemons, said that the opportunity to earn playing time is what most intrigued Josh about SE Louisiana. Lemons also said that the Lions run a similar offense to what Josh is accustomed to at LaSalle making it an easy transition for him if he is able to earn that playing time.

Lemons makes the third commitment in the GCL so far, joining Moeller C Tony Sabato (Elon) and McNicholas SF Drew Hall (Marysville)

Queen City Superstars Showcase- Video Highlights

Highlight videos of the top 2013 performers at the Queen City Superstars Showcase brought to you by 

Triple Double Prospects: The #1 Scouting Service in Ohio & Kentucky

• Devin Williams- Withrow PF
• Dorian Jordan- Princeton PG
• Eric Tivis- Princeton SF
• Kevin Johnson- Summit PG
• Tim Coleman- Withrow PG
• Trent Donald- Winton Woods PF
• Joe Cossins- Anderson PF

For more prospect videos and evaluations of these players (and hundreds more) visit: www.TripleDoubleProspects.com 

Don't forget to like "Triple Double Prospects" on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @TripleDoublePro

Weekend Recap:

Queen City Superstars Fall Showcase

Standout Players

Malcolm Smith

2012 

• Malcolm Smith- Princeton SG: Put on a scoring display Saturday as he was simply too much for his opponents off the dribble. Smith scored at the rim and showed his usual consistency from behind the arc. Several Division II college coaches commented on his improvement and believe that he is one of Ohio's top sleeper prospects in '12.

• Orlando Berry- Taft PG: The little general has taken on a increased scoring load this fall, both at the showcase and at open gym at Taft. Berry is so explosive and fearless when attacking the rim but it is his understanding of how to use his body and ability to control himself through contact that lets him score over defenders a foot taller then him. Look for Orlando to really step up his scoring this season.

• Josh Lemons- LaSalle PG: Looking at the improvements Josh Lemons has made since July the first thing that sticks out is his noticeable strength gain. College coaches consider him a scoring point guard and his added strength might intrigue teams that play a scoring PG with a traditional PG so that Lemons could potentially guard the other teams SG.

• Rozelle Nix- Withrow C: For such a fast paced atmosphere Nix performed well this weekend. He has improved his finishing around the rim and did a good job of securing rebounds. While he is still developing as a low block player he is gaining a better understanding of taking his time on the catch and reading the defense before using his drop-step towards the baseline or middle.

• 

  Eric Tivis

  Jalean Lowe- Taft SF: While he wasn't as aggressive as he usually is Lowe played a really solid game on Saturday, only missing 1 shot attempt. He hit 3 three pointers and showed improved court vision. As Jalean's passing and handle continue to improve college coaches at the Division II level become more and more certain that he can play the SG spot at 6'4.

• Floyd Lee- West High C: After missing last season, when he was at Aiken, CPHR had not seen Lee play in a while but came away impressed with his improved offensive skillset. Always known as a big athlete at 6'8 he not only made plays around the rim but shot the ball effectively as well.

• Dajuan Bankhead- Hughes SF: Known as an athletic slasher who plays the undersized post Bankhead came out stroking the ball on Saturday. CPHR counted 6 three pointers made for DaJuan, several of which were contested pull-up jumpers. If Bankhead can consistently shoot the ball this season he will put up big numbers as he has the athleticism to get to the rim whenever he wants.

• Keevin Tyus (injury update)- CPHR had a chance to speak with '12 West High wing Keevin Tyus (18 ppg last season as a junior) at the showcase. Tyus tore his ACL playing pickup ball in April but is ahead of the curve in his recovery process. Doctors have recently cleared Keevin to run, jump, and lift and he is expecting clearance to practice with the team by November 10^th at the latest. CPHR wishes Keevin a continued successful recovery and an injury-free senior season.

2013

• 

  Kevin Johnson

  Kevin Johnson- Summit PG: After spending a lot of time this fall in the yoga classroom Johnson has added another step to his vertical ladder. KJ was able to make plays above the rim and, as usual, was able to get to the rim off crossover dribbles. While his shot still is a work in progress he did show more confidence in his stroke from the foul line.

• Tim Coleman- Withrow PG: No one came out and shot the ball on Saturday as well as Coleman who hit at least 4 first half three pointers. CPHR knew that Coleman was a gifted scorer, the area the he impressed was with his passing ability. Traditionally a scoring PG who makes the simple pass Tim has now found ways to make his teammates better with his passing skills; something that should come in handy for his loaded Withrow team.

• Dorian Jordan- Princeton PG: Speaking of making teammates better, no one makes their teammates look as good as Dorian. In transition he has such a keen understanding of speed and space that he can wait till the perfect time to deliver a pass to a cutting teammate. Jordan also is shooting the ball with a lot more confidence from deep, as he will need to do with opposing teams backing off him due to his quickness.

• Eric Tivis- Princeton SF: A talented prospect that is a little under the radar, after missing last season, Tivis was the talk of the crowd on Saturday. He scored well over 20 points and impressed CPHR with his improving skill set. Tivis is long, athletic, and attacks the rim under control. His three point shot has improved and his handle is getting to the point that he will become a legit guard prospect. Could have a breakout year for the deep and talented Vikings.

• Devin Williams- Withrow PF: No one at his age group could match Williams physicality down low and he took advantage of that late in games when his team needed points. Williams has been focusing on improving his range and adding explosiveness to his leaping ability and both showed well on Saturday. While his shot wasn't falling his release looked consistent and he was bouncing off the floor with confidence and power.

• 

  Zach McCormick

  Trent Donald- Winton Woods PF: Playing in his old HS gym Donald took advantage of familiar territory. What sticks out about Trent right now is his slimmed down physique which has added another level of quickness to him as he attacks defenders out of the high post. 

• Joe Cossins- Anderson PF: All fall CPHR has been raving about the high motor that Cossins has been playing with and his improvement on the glass. Both of those traits were in full display on Saturday.

• Bryan Porter- Colerain SG: When his three point shot is falling Porter is a tough cover, that was the case this weekend. Porter has the ability to play the PG, SG, or SF position with his handle and shot; while CPHR would like to see him improve his decision making/basketball IQ his skills are improving.

• DeMarcus Cook- North College Hill PG: After missing last season the talented NCH combo guard came out and was very productive both penetrating into the paint and harassing ballhandlers with his strong frame and quick feet.

2014

• Zach McCormick- Turpin SG: The top performer in his division by far and away CPHR has noticed a change in McCormick's game that everyone noticed, this kid can jump! Zach threw down several dunks including a two handed alley-oop in traffic to bring the crowd to its feet. Scoring is always his specialty but CPHR came away impressed with McCormick's improved passing ability as well. He shows a nice understanding of how to use subtle fakes and patience to create lanes and he can fire bullet passes through tight spaces.

• Tyonte Robertson- Withrow PG: The crowd showed up early on Saturday to see Robertson put his talent on display and he turned in a nice 16 point performance, with a few highlight behind the back assists to cap. While he did have a problem playing too fast, or maybe trying to do to much (part of that is due to the setting) Robertson was effective finishing around the rim; where he is too strong and quick for opponents in his age group to check him and he has an array of dribble moves to take advantage.

• 

  Tim Coleman

  Ronnie Rousseau- Winton Woods PG: It took him a little while to get going but Rousseau showed a glimpse Saturday of what CPHR had been expecting after such a dominant summer in AAU. Ronnie showed improved understanding of how to score over bigger defenders by using change of speed and direction, as well as a nice new step-back move, to create room to finish or shoot his pure jumper. 

• Dwight Nared- Hughes C: Another surprise star in a day dominated by guards. Nared has really improved his mobility and that was put on display by a crowd-pleasing off the backboard alley-oop that he finished in transition over two defenders. While he still has work to do he is on of 2014's top sleeper prospects due to his size, athleticism, and high motor.

• Aaron Harris- Dayton Meadowdale PG: An unknown player to CPHR before the event we came away very impressed with the skills of this speedy playmaker. Harris showed equal success in passing and scoring the basketball and competed harder then just about every player on the floor.

• Kiere Bennie- Colerian PG: Athletic combo guard with good size is showing CPHR that he can really play. Still need to see more of him to get a great feel for his overall game but Bennie can really guard and he can break his man down off the dribble. He might be a jumper away from becoming a stud.

• David Mitchell- Hughes PF: Athlete that is playing with a higher motor this year, while he is still making inexperience mistakes, those mistakes are easier to tolerate when he is covering as much ground as he has been on the court. Still possesses a world of talent and is working hard to harness it.

• 

  Myo Baxter

  Devyn Walker- Northwest SG: Scoring guard showed a much improved stroke from three point range. 

2015

• Myo Baxter- Lakota East SF/PF: Remember this name as Baxter looks like a freshman that could make a varsity impact sooner then later at East. A strong 6'4 frame with great quickness for his size Baxter has a really defined skill set for his age. He reminds CPHR a little bit of '13 Trent Donald with is array of moves and ballhandling ability with so much strength. What seperates Baxter from players his age is ability to handle the ball while under control and his court vision. CPHR is very excited to see more of Baxter over this season.

• DeShaun Pickett (Hughes SF), Tyriq Johnson (Purcell Marian PF), and Jordan Bradley (Princeton PG) were three other freshman who impressed and CPHR will have them on the evaluation radar over the next few weeks to get a better feel for their promising games.

Jalean Lowe- Showcase Highlights

Highlights from this weekends "Queen City Superstars Showcase"
of Jalean Lowe ('12 Taft SG/SF), one of the state's top shooters and senior players.

Full recap of the event coming to CPHR on Monday morning...........

10/05 Recruiting News........

• Jacob and Justin Rossi, '12 Franklin forwards, have been offered by Northern Kentucky. 
• Jacob Rossi is currently Missouri State, Belmont, Manhattan, Lipscomb, and several Division II schools. 
• Justin is currently considering West Liberty, Bellarmine, Marysville, Ashland, and Lincoln Memorial; all Division II schools

• '12 Withrow C Rozelle Nix has been hearing from Lincoln Memorial and Kentucky State, both D-II's.

• Paul Woodson, '12 Aiken PF, is rumored to be deciding between a final two of Lincoln Memorial and Central State, both are high level Division II programs. 

• '13 Lockland SG Dontonio Wingfield Jr has been offered by Ohio University and Toledo with strong interest coming from West Virginia and Iowa.

• Allante Foster, '12 SF/PF, has transferred from Lakota East to Colerain.

Moore finds his home...

“It's time,” '12 Cincinnati Aiken combo guard Willie Moore said as he wrapped up his official visit to Duquesne on Sunday. After two days, and one night, on campus Moore had seen enough to know that the Dukes were the right spot for him and made the commitment as he left the campus. 

“Their head coach, Coach (Ron) Everhart, just showed me so much love up there; he really made me feel welcome and wanted. The whole staff was real cool, they're fun to be around but when its time for basketball they're all business,” Moore said.

Always considered one of the top guard prospects in the state Willie's recruitment had its peaks and valleys but in the end he couldn't be more excited to be playing at Duquesne. “They play my exact style of ball. Push the ball, attack the lane, kick it out, and if your open shoot it. I really love passing the ball and Coach told me several times that they led the nation in assists last year and how their goal is to keep that going every year I'm there."

Moore might be an elite ballhandler and passer but his powerful and speedy drives to the rim, where he has a great sense of how to score around the rim, make him so dangerous offensively. “They told me that I can come in and have the green-light, just like the rest of the guys, and get my shots up and be aggressive looking for assists. I like how Coach Everhart pushes his players to get better but lets them do what they do best.”

After a busy summer with both the Cincinnati Knights and All-Ohio Purple the Cincinnati Aiken guard saw many suitors come through the school this fall to watch open gym including Cleveland State, James Madison, Eastern Kentucky, Kent State, and other schools like Wichita State and Dayton were expressing interest but no one could match Duquesne's appreciation for Moore's talent.

“They're just like a big family up there. Their players love each other and they love playing for the coaches. I think that I'm really going to fit in well up there.”

In Coach Everhart's five seasons at the helm Duquesne has improved each year in the Atlantic 10 standings and looks to have NCAA Tournament potential in the coming seasons. Having also produced a player on the Atlantic 10 All-Freshman Team each season since Everhart has been there means that Moore is likely to get his shot early to make an impact.

“Their program is just getting better and better. They're making all types of improvements to their facilities. It's a basketball school. I think that we can be competitive with anyone in the country. Coach (Everhart) wants to play as tough of a schedule as he can every season and that's what I'm all about. I can't wait.”