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270 Hoops Fall League: Week 1 Top Performers

By Zach Fleer, 09/10/17, 9:35PM EDT

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A look at the top performers from Week 1 of the 270 Hoops Fall League

POWELL, Ohio -- The wait is finally over. Tipping off at Olentangy Orange High School on Sunday, the inaugural 270 Hoops Fall League started off with a bang.

Let's take a look at some of the top performers from Sunday's action.

Top Scorers

Morgan Safford (6'4 SG / Bishop Hartley / 2019): Safford wasted no time in putting his name at the top of the scoring list on Sunday, dropping 27 in his first game. Leading Tar Heel Elite to a big win, Safford was dominant scoring the ball on all three levels. The 6-foot-4 wing can shoot it, attack the rim with above-average athleticism and make plays with the ball on a consistent basis. 

Jerome Hunter (6'7 SF / Pickerington North / 2018): The Indiana commit Hunter looked the part of a guy who is going to excel in the Big Ten, as he finished behind Safford in scoring on Sunday. Going for 21 points in his opening game, Hunter could not be stopped when he put his head down and went to the rim. With added muscle and refined polish to his game, Hunter looks like a future pro. 

JT Shumate (6'7 SF / Newark / 2018): Shumate has improved in the last month and a half from the AAU season, as the Newark senior was third in scoring, putting up 14.5 points per game. With the ability to knock down any shot on the floor, Shumate's greatest gains are in his athleticism and finishing ability inside, while he has also put on added muscle. 

Thomas Hickman (6'2 PG / Westerville Central / 2018): Hickman tweeted "I just need one school to believe in me," a few days ago, and after a performance like he had on Sunday, it won't be awhile for that to happen. The experienced 6-foot-2 guard led his team to a revenge win in Game  2 on Sunday, going for 16 points, five rebounds and six assists. Hickman would score 28 points in total on Sunday. 

Faizon Tucker (6'4 SG/SF / Linden-McKinley / 2018): Tucker is a player who might just benefit more than anyone from playing in this league. On Sunday, Tucker wasted no time in making his mark, as he went for 16 points in the opening game, finishing at a high level at the rim. An efficient finisher near the basket, Tucker led the entire Columbus City League in field goal percentage as a junior. 

Top Rebounders

Eli McNamara (6'9 PF / Pickerington North / 2018): McNamara had his best showing yet, as his confidence was at an all-time high on Sunday, as he averaged 11 points and 12 rebounds in two wins. Cleaning up the glass, dominating inside and showing off touch from the perimeter, McNamara did it all for Team Work on Sunday. With several Division I offers, McNamara is one of the state's hottest uncommitted prospects. 

Tre Williams (6'7 PF / Reynoldsburg / 2018): Williams is a guy who is going to break out this fall before a senior season that should be one of the books. A strong post with good feet and above-average athleticism, Williams is quickly evolving into a college-ready prospect. Williams wasted no time in kick starting that process, as he went for 19 points and eight rebounds in his first game. Check out highlights of that game here. 

JT Shumate (6'7 SF / Newark / 2018): Shumate did more than just score, as he cleaned up the glass in both viewings on Sunday. There just aren't many more players as fundamental as Shumate, who continues to improve and make an impact in all areas of the game. 

Ben Wight (6'8 C / Thomas Worthington / 2018): A breakout player in Central Ohio, the lengthy Wight is an improving prospect whose best basketball is still ahead of him. With a few more inches to grow, Wight is likely to grow into a dominant shot blocker and offensive rebounder as he continues to put on weight. Wight had 11 rebounds in his first game on Sunday. 

Jerome Hunter (6'7 SF / Pickerington North / 2018): At 6-foot-7 and with great length and athleticism, Hunter is a force on the glass. Hunter was an elite ability to grab boards and start the one-man break. Look for Hunter to contribute early for Indiana at the 2, 3 and 4 positions.  Hunter also put down a huge dunk in the Sunday finale below. 

Breakout Players

Aronde' Myers (6'2 SG / Zanesville / 2018): The only player representing Muskingum County on Sunday, Myers did not disappoint. With an old school feel to his game, Myers gets the job done as a scorer, playmaker and defender. Look for a big senior year from him.

Curtis Clinger (6'4 SG / Thomas Worthington / 2018): Clinger's story is honestly incredible. After being cut his freshman and sophomore seasons at Upper Arlington, the 6-foot-4 guard committed himself to the gym and transferred to Thomas Worthington and the results have been impressive. Playing at a high level as a playmaker on Sunday, Clinger did the little things to lead his team and showed off some polish as a scorer. 

Elijah Bishop (6'6 SF / Beechcroft / 2018): Bisho is a player who is not afraid to challenge himself, as he will go hard against whoever you put in front of him. Bishop was solid on Sunday, scoring 12 points in each game and showing a strong ability to finish inside. With great length and versatility, Bishop is likely to be one of the top breakout performers in the City League this winter. 

Freshmen Focus

Kobe Buford (6'2 PG / Upper Arlington): 6.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists per game. 

Chance Groce (6'3 SG / Linden-McKinley): 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist per game. 

Tyrese Hughley (6'6 PF / Licking Heights): 1 point, 3 rebounds, 1 assist per game. 

Game Recaps


Gahanna senior wing Nate Ward rises up for the big slam on Sunday (Andrew Downing Photography)

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