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Thomas Worthington 81, Africentric 68 - Prospect Scouting Report

By Andy Hoben, 01/04/20, 5:45PM EST

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Jalen Sullinger and Eli Burke combined for 57 points in an entertaining battle in Game 3 of The Challenge

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Thomas Worthington (8-2) came into their matchup against Africentric (4-5) riding a five-game winning streak and looking like one of the top teams in the area, with their only two losses coming to the actual top two teams in the area in Columbus South and Hilliard Bradley.

While the Nubians kept it interesting, cutting it to an eight-point game late, Jalen Sullinger and Tyrese Hughey’s dominant efforts allowed the Cardinals to pull away for an 81-68 win. 


Jalen Sullinger led all scorers with 28 points, which included four threes, and added six rebounds and assists apiece. Tyrese Hughey had a 22-point, 12 rebound double-double, and Omari Effiong added five points and eight rebounds. 

Eli Burke had a career-high 29 points for Africentric, taking over down the stretch of the game to keep the Nubians in it. Dan Wagner and Cali Davis each added 13 points. 


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Jalen Sullinger (5'11 PG / Thomas Worthington / 2021): Sullinger put on a show on Saturday and showed with his intangibles and all-around complete guard skills why he is one of the most respected guards in the area. Sullinger has nearly everything you want out of a lead guard, as he is an elite passer, improving on-ball defender, and can take defenders off the dribble to open up space for himself and his teammates, but the most impressive part of his game that was on full display against Africentric was his lights-out shooting ability. The sharpshooting lefty was unconscious from three, possessing one of the smoothest outside shots you will find anywhere, and will pull up without hesitation from up to five feet past the line. Sullinger has an incredibly advanced feel for the game, as he is able to pick his spots to takeover with his own shooting as well as understand when to get his teammates involved, which against Africentric including various show-stopping alley-oops thrown to Tyrese Hughey. The junior Sullinger has clearly listened to his critics from the summer, improving his defense, playmaking ability and becoming an all-around guard that is playing as well as any in Central Ohio right now. 

Eli Burke (6'0 PG / Africentric / 2021): Burke was the clear focal point of the Africentric offense from the lead guard spot and gave the Nubians life with his ability to create his own shot, and was extremely successful in doing in a career-high night. The 6-foot junior is a confident three-level scorer who uses tough moves from the point of attack to create space and get his shot off. Burke handles much of the on-ball duties on a team full of talented guards and is relied on to be a steady offensive force. Burke took over in the second half hit some really, really tough shots from three that kept the Nubians in the game, and also had a late dunk that got the crowd on their feet. Knocking down three triples in the second half alone, Burke showed us his full arsenal of offensive potential, as the junior can be really effective when he plays within the flow of the offense and takes good shots, which he did on Saturday. 

Tyrese Hughey (6'6 PF / Thomas Worthington / 2021): One of the more physically impressive players in the area, Hughey is a force to be reckoned with no matter who he is matched up against due to his combination of size and athleticism. Hughey is always around the rim, whether it be skying for defensive rebounds, attempting a put back, or setting up to catch a lob. However, Hughey’s offensive game is not one-dimensional by any means, as he has proved that he can stretch his face-up game to mid range and hit a pretty fade-away jumper. Hughey is a rare physical specimen that is always a threat to dunk on unsuspecting defenders and plays incredibly well with Sullinger as an equally lethal inside option. Hughey was dominant down the stretch, finishing with a 22-point double-double, and will be a matchup nightmare as the season goes along for the Cardinals. 

Cali Davis (6'1 G / Africentric / 2020): A three-year starter and now a senior leader on this Africentric team, Davis had a big game of his own as a secondary scoring option alongside Burke. Davis has the ability to work off the dribble or on spot-up perimeter attempts, and has high-level finishing skills that he displayed on multiple transition lay-in attempts on Saturday. Davis will be looked to for instant offense down the stretch of the schedule as one of the season veterans of this Nubian squad. The senior is a qualifier that small college should covet, as he is a natural born leader that makes others around him better. 

Omari Effiong (6'1 WG / Thomas Worthington / 2021): Though standing around 6-feet tall, Effiong plays as though he is the biggest person on the court, using his high-level jumping ability and overall athleticism to dominate the boards. Effiong is the ultimate glue guy, being able to work from both inside or out, and is the perfect compliment to high-usage players such as Sullinger and Tyrese Hughey as he does the dirty work on both ends of the court that makes a winning team what they are. Effiong wears his heart on his sleeve on the court, providing unlimited energy and enthusiasm that rubs off on his team. The junior will be a vital piece to the puzzle for this Thomas Worthington team that will have a real chance to make noise in the tournament both this year and next. 

Dailyn Swain (6'5 WG / Africentric / 2023): At just 14 years old, Swain is one of the most intriguing freshman prospects in the area with his advanced feel for the game and elite length for his age. Still young and wiry, Swain works from the wing at 6-5 and makes smart decisions on both ends that flash his potential as a high-level two way threat for years to come. Swain showed the ability to play off of his teammates, an important skill for someone playing with talented upperclassmen, and had a really impressive one handed entry pass from the perimeter that impressed us. While not a featured scorer yet, Swain is already a key player for Africentric and will be a player to watch in the class of 2023 moving forward. 

Dan Wagner (5'10 G / Africentric / 2022): Another talented scoring option at the guard spot for Africentric, Wagner displayed the ability to score from anywhere on the floor as one of the Nubians more reliable shot-makers. Wagner hit multiple contested looks from outside early on in the game, but it was his ability to finish in transition at a high-rate that really stood out. Showing a variety of in-air moves around the rim to shield off and fake-out defenders, Wagner was able to convert on some tough looks that propelled Africentric’s fast break offense. Just a sophomore, Wagner will look to increase his efficiency and consistency as the season goes on. 

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