GRANVILLE, Ohio - Tipping off for the third-straight year, albeit a few months late due to COVID-19, The 270 Hoops Intro returned to TAD Sports on Saturday. Hosting 87 different freshmen across Ohio in two separate sessions, we got a great look at the next crop of rising talent. 

Let’s take a look at some of the players who really stood out to us in Session 1. Top performers from Session 2 will come out later in the week.

Maurice McCall (6’2 PG / Columbus South) - might have the most long term upside of any lead guard in the event. High IQ passer with physicality and toughness. Natural scorer but plays the game with such good pace that he's never sped up and is always looking to make a play for himself or others. Going to be a good one for years to come in a South program that is notorious for developing tough, gritty guards.

Dominique Aekins (5’6 PG / Kipp Columbus) - the best defensive guard in the event. Aekins challenged and bothered every opposing guard he faced. Very quick laterally, has a bulldog type mentality and plays with great toughness, while showing the ability to score and distribute off the bounce. Reminds us a lot of former Walnut Ridge guard Qian Magwood. Led his teams to 3 on 3 and 5 on 5 titles

Juwan Turner (5’8 PG / Pickerington Central) - the most shifty guard in the event. Very talented offensively, has an assortment of offensive moves and can really finish at the rim. Turner is a high IQ guard who we really enjoyed watching in the skills and drills portion of the event.  In addition to his offensive skill set, Turner is a disruptive point of attack defender who moves very well laterally. Will be a big piece of the Central program for years to come.

Dallas Tucker (5’9 PG / Westerville Central) - absolute dead-eye shooter who was the best scorer in the event, bar none. Tucker got hot in the 5 on 5 games and literally could not miss from anywhere on the floor. Shoots it off the bounce as well as any freshman we’ve seen over the last few years. Could become quite the matchup nightmare given his game-changing shooting ability if he continues to develop his game as a passer and defender.

Derek Goodman (6’0 WG / Olentangy Berlin) - perhaps the biggest stock riser of the event. Uber talented guard who showed the most ability to create off the bounce while being able to rebound, defend and create for others. Has a high IQ, shoots a light, feathery ball that found the bottom of the net from all over the floor. Going to be an instant impact guy from day one for Berlin.

LaRon Fuller (5’10 PG / Walnut Ridge) - talented ball handler who plays with a lot of confidence. Showed the ability to hit shots from all over and finish tough buckets at the rim. Will be relied upon early by Walnut Ridge.

Cortez Freeman (6’1 WG / Canal Winchester) - long, rangy athletic guard. Looks like he has a chance to blossom into one of the better prospects in the class. Also plays football.

Ryker Bowden (6’2 WG / Marysville) - sharp-shooting wing guard with great size. Plays with confidence, is an above average athlete and will continue to get better as he develops physically. Caught fire in the game we watched and scored it from all over. The Monarchs have a promising duo in Bowden and Jason Moore that will take the program over once Jack Christian and Garrett Taylor graduate after this winter. 

Ethan Stare (6’0 G / Newark) - yet another talented player from a family pipeline in Newark. Stare is a tough guard who can really play. Shoots it well, has a high IQ and natural toughness.

Briley Cramer (6’1 WG / Circleville) - big guard who really impressed in the skills portion of the event. Cramer is a talented offensive player who hit some tough shots from the perimeter. 

Anthony Fuline (5’9 PG / Massillon Jackson) - tough, gritty guard who can shoot it from three. Son of Mount Union head coach Mike Fuline. A young player to remember in a traditionally dominant Jackson program.

Eyon Robinson (6’1 WG / Westerville North) - athletic guard with bounce and the ability to get to the rim. Still a bit raw but the talent and potential is there. Had one of the best motors in the event.

Tristan Morgan (5’8 PG / Hilliard Davidson) - high IQ, tough guard who can make shots and run an offense. Filled in where he was needed and provided a winning impact.

Peyton Heiss (5’11 WG / Jonathan Alder) - standout of the skills and 3 on 3 portion. Knockdown shooter who showed some ability to create off the dribble.

Noah Smith (6’0 G / Reynoldsburg) - big guard who can really score it. Smith plays with toughness and purpose. Showed a great ability to get to the rim and finish.

Isaiah Marshall (5’11 G / Pickerington North) - thought by many to have the best handles in the event. Can get anywhere he wants off the dribble. Will develop nicely in practice in a North program busting at the seams with good guards.

Brady Myers (6’0 G / Worthington Christian) - one of the smoothest guards in the event. Has a very well balanced game and the skill set is clearly there. Another good guard in a stable of young talent in the Worthington Christian program.

Alex Bruskotter (6’5 WF / Shelby) - most skilled perimeter big in the event. Moves in a way that you don’t see often from guys his size. Can really handle it, has natural creation ability and hit shots from all over. Physical frame allows him to finish around the rim through contact. Keep an eye on this north Central Ohio talent.

Samuel Johnson (6’5 PF / Worthington Christian) - thought by some to be the best player in the event. Strong physical big man with great hands and feet. Looks like he’s not close to being done growing. Will provide a major impact for Worthington Christian for the next few years.

Jesse Burris (6’2 WF / Delaware Hayes) - consensus top five performer. Tough, skilled combo forward who can shoot, handle, pass and defend. Burris has plenty of tools and will be a major piece of a youth movement for the Pacers.

Jason Moore (6’6 PF / Marysville) - biggest player in the gym. Made a major impact in helping lead Red 2 to a 5 on 5 title. Has the length, skill and strength to contribute early on varsity as a freshman.

Max Atanasof (6’5 PF / Gahanna Lincoln) - real stretch big with a wide build. Atanasof can stretch the floor with his jumper but impressed most as a passer. Will improve the more he takes his game on the interior and takes advantage of his size and strength. 

Veer Shah (6’2 WF / Dublin Jerome) - received rave reviews from several coaches and staffers in the building. Shah is a skilled combo forward who can flat out shoot it. Offers intriguing length and versatility on the wing.