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Stephen Gussler Invitational: Day Two Top Performers

By Jake Spegal, 12/28/19, 6:00PM EST

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We take a look at nine standouts from the finale of the Stephen Gussler Invitational

WORTHINGTON, Ohio -- With Thomas Worthington hosting the annual Stephen Gussler Invitational over the weekend, our staff got a chance to take in both days of action. Watching the first three games of the day on Saturday before having to take off before the nightcap, we got a look at five area teams along with Conner out of Kentucky.

The results went as follows:

  • Olentangy Orange 62, Licking Heights 43
  • Conner (KY) 67, Dublin Jerome 62
  • ​​​​​​​Dublin Coffman 61, Reynoldsburg 51

Lets take a look at some of the top performers below, including some guys we highlighted yesterday as well.


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Ryan Cutler (6'4 WF / Olentangy Orange / 2020): Cutler put together a solid offensive showing for Olentangy Orange in their win over Licking Heights. The lengthy 6-foot-4 senior hit a pair of three’s off the catch and finished off two and-ones, using his lanky frame to finish around contact with both hands. Cutler can handle the ball in open floor, is a reliable team defender on the perimeter and did a good job of cleaning up the glass for Orange on Saturday. With a good combination of IQ and decision making to go along a versatile skillset, the senior would be a good look for small college programs looking to add length on the wing. Cutler just recently jumped onto our radar over the summer at the Ohio State team camp, so we expect him to keep improving with more and more experience on the varsity level as he’s been a bit of a late bloomer.

Andre Irvin (5'8 PG / Olentangy Orange / 2021): Irvin showed off his IQ on both ends on Saturday, making some instinctive plays for Orange on each side of the floor. Despite lacking height, Irvin makes up for it with his motor, toughness and will to win, as the junior guard competes just as hard on the defensive perimeter as he does on the offensive end. With good hands and quick feet, he can frustrate opposing lead guards and isn’t afraid to defend 94 feet. The junior showed value on the offensive end as he hit a three off the catch, hit a tough floater and got to the rim on multiple occasions and drew contact. Irvin has really developed a good feel of how to run the offense under Coach Calo, as he knows when to find open cutters and made some good extra rotations when Licking Heights tried throwing a zone at the Pioneers. We love how he always shows up ready to play and doesn’t let his size affect him, as the junior has helped Orange get off to an good start this season at the lead guard spot.

James Dean (5'10 PG / Reynoldsburg / 2020): Dean put together an excellent two-way showing for Reynoldsburg in their matchup with Dublin Coffman, giving Rocks senior guard Keaton Turner all he could handle throughout the game. The senior has an elite motor, quick feet and good instincts that allow him to excel on the defensive perimeter. He was very good on the offensive end for the Raiders as well. Dean hit a three off the catch, made good reads within the offense and finished off a handful of buckets near the rim, positioning himself well and making the most of his opportunities inside. His motor also allows him to stay active on the glass despite being very undersized when amongst the trees. We love what he brings to Reynoldsburg on both ends of the floor as he has the motor, toughness and energy that every team needs.

Nash Hostetler (6'3 WG / Dublin Coffman / 2021): Hostetler caught fire from beyond the arc on Saturday, leading Coffman with 20 points in their win over Reynoldsburg. The junior was very efficient from deep, hitting five triples off the catch and showing off a smooth stroke along with a good idea of where to position himself within the Rocks offense. He also finished off a tough and-one and made some key plays defensively, putting together the best showing we have seen from him so far in his time on varsity. Hostetler can really affect a game with his shooting ability, as we saw him knock down a handful of three-pointers in a matchup with Marysville last week as well. Keep an eye on him to have some more big scoring games this season as he's tough to slow down when he gets going.

Ryan Nutter (6'2 WG / Dublin Jerome / 2023): Nutter is going to be a very, very good one. While we already highlighted him yesterday in Jerome’s tough loss versus Olentangy Orange, the freshman was excellent once again today. Getting to the rim for a handful of tough finishes with both hands, he used a decent first step to get by guys and excellent body control and touch to finish around length. He also hit a three off the catch, showing off an improved jumper. Nutter gives excellent effort on both ends of the floor, as he took three charges on Saturday and frustrated opposing ball handlers in Jerome’s press with his combination of length and quickness. Keep an eye on the freshman over the next couple of years and take a look at an in-depth analysis of him here.

Sean Moore (6'5 WG / Reynoldsburg / 2020): Despite a slow start in the first half against Coffman, Moore really turned it on in the third quarter. He knocked down a deep step-back off the dribble, finished some tough buckets near the rim and threw down a big time slam in transition along with a tip dunk. Moore is uber athletic, and when you couple this with his length, it allows him to be a real threat on the glass as he snagged down 10 rebounds in the contest. He also came up with five steals, using his quickness, athleticism and frame to affect the game defensively in the open floor. Moore would be a real, real steal for a small college program in the area as he could be developed into an excellent two-way player due to the tools he already possesses. For more on Sean, check out our report on him from yesterday's action here.

Jason Foster (6'5 WF / Olentangy Orange / 2021): Foster had another impressive showing for Orange on both ends on Saturday. The 2021 stock riser got it done on both ends, putting his athleticism to use and affecting the contest in multiple ways. He got to the rim for a tough finish off the bounce, threw down two big dunks, one of which was in the face of a defender, and finished off some easy baskets in the lane. We like what he offers on the defensive end as he's quick enough to stay with bigger wings, plays solid interior defense and uses his length to alter opposing shots. The next step we'd like to see Foster take is developing more of a jumper, as that would make him a legitimate scholarship prospect on the wing. For more on Jason, take a look at our report on him from yesterday's action here.

Keaton Turner (6'1 PG / Dublin Coffman / 2020): While Turner struggled to hit shots off the dribble on Saturday and wasn't his normal self, he got to the rim for some tough buckets late and got his teammates involved as well. The senior has a slippery handle, keeps defenders on their heels and knows how to create his own shot. When he is on, he is a nightmare to defend as his shot making ability is some of the best in the area off the dribble. We liked how Keaton led his teammates despite not having his best day as the junior kept a good attitude throughout the day and helped his team secure a tough win down the stretch in a game that was in question for the Rocks at times. For more on the elite senior guard, take a look at our report on him from yesterday's action here.

Dan Lee (6'1 PG / Dublin Jerome / 2020): Despite not having his best day today, the efforts of Lee coupled with Nutter helped Dublin Jerome put together a late comeback and nearly take down Conner. Hitting a few three’s off the catch and finishing some buckets near the rim, Lee competed hard through the contest besides not producing like he would’ve liked to. The senior guard picked off a few passes leading to easy layups and made some impressive drive and kick reads within the halfcourt. For a more in-depth look at the high IQ guard who excels on the court and in the classroom, take a look at our report on him from yesterday.

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