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2021 Challenge Pt. II: Top Performers

By Cameron Carter, 08/05/20, 3:15PM EDT

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Harrison Central guard Kobe Mitchell stole the show at the 2021 Challenge Pt. II

DUBLIN, Ohio -- Elevate Basketball Academy was again the host to another 270 Hoops Challenge event on Tuesday, as the 2021 Challenge Pt. II tipped off in front of 90 college programs online. Let's take a look at the top performers from another loaded event.

Guards

Kobe Mitchell (6’3 CG / Harrison Central / 2021) - Champion, MVP, and leading scorer are just a few ways to describe Kobe Mitchell’s performance last night. The 6’3 combo guard put on a show after driving two hours to the event and arriving two hours early to prepare. In his first game, Mitchell went 5-for-7 from three and scored 19 points. He displayed elite shooting ability from long range and around the midrange as he was consistently knocking down pull up jumpers. After going down for a short second with a minor injury, Mitchell’s scoring slowed down, but he was still able to impact the game in a huge way. Mitchell is a great athlete who plays with lots of toughness which allows him to guard the ball and rebound exceptionally.

Mitchell surpassed 1000 career points as a sophomore and became his school’s all time leading scorer as a junior. If there is an upcoming basketball season, expect Mitchell to break more even records and bring in many more accolades.

Tasos Cook (6’2 WG / Westerville Central / 2021) - Cook is as elite of a scorer as they come in central Ohio. His offense was effective and efficient last night as he was scoring from everywhere on the floor against everyone that matched up against him. Cook possesses a strong set of dribble moves that help him create the space he needs to knock down his impressive midrange shot. He is also a reliable catch and shoot player from long range. Where Cook excels is driving to the bucket and finishing through contact. At 6’2 he has a strong frame and great athleticism that make him extremely tough to guard around the rim. Cook works hard and is disciplined on and off the court, with a 4.1 GPA in the classroom, he would be a great addition to any program.

Jaiden Guice (6’2 WG / Westerville South / 2021) - The two best shooters in last night’s event were paired up on Team 4, as Jaiden Guice and Kobe Mitchell burnt the nets down together. Guice, a 6’2 wing guard from Westerville South shot the ball exceptionally well throughout the entire event. He knocked down three pointer after three pointer, off the dribble or off the catch, and even shot well from mid range. Guice has the size and athleticism to be a reliable defender at the next level and he most definitely can score the ball well enough to be an impactful piece in D3 programs.

Dom Penn (6’2 PG / Sunrise Christian (KS) / 2021) - It took Dom Penn a few games to get fully going last night, but once he did he was incredibly hard to stop. Penn has elite athleticism and is a very good shooter. He uses his explosiveness and dribble moves to blow by defenders and his strength to finish around defenders at the rim. Penn also plays with great competitiveness and a large chip on his shoulder that allows him to match up and battle with anyone. He showed great toughness and physicality on the defensive end Tuesday evening. Already with multiple mid major offers, look for Penn to continue to excel and become an even better all around player throughout his senior season. 

 

Wings

Jarius Jones (6’5 WG / Gahanna Lincoln / 2021) - Jarius Jones has been slept on for far too long now, and it’s time we all started waking up. The 6’5 wing guard is an all around stud that can do it all. Jones has elite athleticism paired with a lengthy and strong frame that give him the ability to dominate his opponents. He’s a legit two-way player that scores and defends at a high level with an impressive motor. In yesterday’s event, Jones was scoring in many different ways and causing problems on defense throughout each game. He gets out in transition very well and is more than capable of running with the ball in his hands as well. With his length, toughness, and activity all throughout the floor, Jones is a big time player with amazing potential.

Darius Parham (6’3 WG / Bishop Ready / 2021) - Flying a little under the radar, Darius Parham dominated the 2021 Challenge by shooting lights out from mid range and deep. Parham wasn’t the flashiest guy on the court, but he used his physical frame and fundamentals to perform at a high level. He was extremely effective shooting from all areas of the floor, and it didn’t matter whether it was off the dribble or from a catch and shoot position, the ball was typically going through the net for him. Parham is a talented multisport athlete and it shows when he’s on the hardwood. His toughness helped him defend and rebound well to go along with his great offensive performance.

Forwards

Trey Woodyard (6’6 WF / ISA / 2021) - Woodyard will take the crown as the smartest basketball player in this class. His IQ and instincts while on the floor are second to none and that helps him consistently make the right plays for his team. He is always one step ahead of his opponent and always puts himself in the right position to make a play. Woodyard displayed his great passing abilities and instinctiveness on defense throughout the entire event. Standing at 6’6, he can also put the ball in the basket with ease. He’s an extremely sharp spot up shooter from deep, effective in the post, and always makes the right/extra pass to teammates. Holding offers from multiple MAC schools, Woodyard is a very reliable prospect with lots of upside.

Ian Schupp (6’5 WF / Worthington Kilbourne / 2021)  - On a much lesser scale, Ian Schupp’s performance last night could be compared to how Zion Williamson plays. Standing at 6’5 with a very large frame, Schupp was using his pure strength to get to the basket and finish through defenders. He is a capable catch and shoot threat, but got most of his points from simply getting around his defender and muscling into the paint, all while having his body under control. It’s something that pretty much all high school athletes cannot stop at this point. Schupp has a college-ready body and with more development of an outside game, he could be a real problem for opponents at the next level. 

Elijah Hinton (6’6 PF / Newark / 2021)  - Hinton was ALL over the glass in the 2021 Challenge, cleaning up misses on the offensive glass left and right, as well securing defensive rebounds and not giving up second chances to his opponents. Hinton didn’t play hardly any possessions looking to score first, but he was still able to get his strictly through his toughness and activity rebounding in the trenches. He played hard and through contact all evening, finishing at the rim and protecting it on the other end. Hinton has a great frame and will consistently do the dirty work for his team, which equates to winning basketball.

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