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Westerville Central 75, Dublin Coffman 60 - Prospect Scouting Report

By Zach Fleer, 01/15/21, 10:00PM EST

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Tasos Cook went for an efficient 23 points to power Westerville Central to 8-0

DUBLIN, Ohio -- In a matchup of two top 10 teams in the area, Westerville Central's athleticism, physicality and toughness reigned supreme over Dublin Coffman. The Warhawks (8-0) had double figure scoring from four of their five starters and rallied behind the above the rim theatrics of senior Tasos Cook to roll over the Rocks (6-2), 75-60.

The Warhawks used a 19-5 second quarter to blow the game open, as Central's tough on-ball pressure and active off ball pursuits seemed to wear Coffman out. With the Rocks' usual calm and collected shooters looking rattled, Central was able to hone in on stopping junior point guard Ajay Sheldon.

Limiting Sheldon to five first half points, senior guard Landon Tillman and Central got exactly what they wanted when they went into halftime leading 32-17.

A quick 6-0 run in the second half topped off by a powerful dunk from Cook stretched the lead to 21 points as the Warhawks put the game away early in the third quarter. While Coffman got hot in the fourth quarter from three, it was too little, too late, as Central never led by less than 13 points in the period.

While Cook was the star on Friday with 23 points, Westerville Central got great production from everyone on the floor. Sophomore forward Donovan Hunter had his best game of his young, but promising career, going for 16 points and a lions' share of rebounds. Senior guards Quincy Clark (14) and Tillman (12) combined for 26 points, while junior forward Miles Poindexter and senior MJ Davis each added five points. Davis hit a three at the buzzer to end the first quarter, putting Central ahead for the rest of the game at 13-12.

Coffman was extremely frustrated by Central's pressure, as the athletic and physical Warhawks caused all types of problems on the defensive end of the floor. Exerting all of that energy on offense affected Coffman on defense, as Central was able to penetrate the middle of the floor all game long.

The on-ball defense of Tillman was the story once again, as the 5-foot-11 guard held another primetime area scorer to well under his average. While we have come to expect big showings from Cook and Clark, the emergence of Tillman this season has given the Warhawks a lethal senior backcourt trio.

We were really impressed with the play of Hunter on Friday, as the 6-foot-8 sophomore was active, engaged and playing with a lot of confidence. 

For Dublin Coffman, senior Nash Hostetler led all scorers with 21 points. Hostetler was the Rocks' top performer on the night, burying five threes, which has become quite normal for him these days.

Sheldon had his toughest game of the young season, being held to 15 points and just five in the first half. With the Warhawks deploying Tillman and Clark on him for 32 minutes, Sheldon had his work cut out for him but never stopped competing.

With the win, Westerville Central notches another impressive victory and seems to be clicking on all cylinders. While they're a highlight worthy team that is great for engagement on Instagram, it's the team defense and overall buy-in of this team that makes them special. If they can maintain the defensive intensity and sense of urgency that they had tonight, they can beat anyone in the area.

For Coffman, the Rocks have some room to grow and were able to see what weaknesses they need to address. It will be imperative for another guard outside of Sheldon to step up and provide shot-creating ability, as it's too tough on the junior to do it all for 32 minutes when he has to exert as much, if not more energy on the defensive end of the floor.

Tasos Cook (6'3 WG / Westerville Central / 2021): We will say it now and we mean it. Cook is a Division I scholarship guard. It's time someone steps up and extends this kid an offer, because if he progresses in the next year and a half like he has since the beginning of last year, he's going to be an absolute STEAL. The 6-foot-3 guard played one of his best games on Friday, getting anything he wanted off the bounce, finishing with 23 points. While Cook's finishing ability, strength, body control and pull up jump shooting are high level and intriguing, we were most impressed with the way he communicated to his teammates on Friday. Speaking clearly and calmly, Cook showed the type of veteran leadership that he possesses, as he was able to calm his teammates when they got too high and was able to ignite them with his play when they seemed to fall asleep. That level of maturity and leadership is hard to come by, which when you combine that with his elite athleticism, vastly improved skill set and three-level scoring ability, you have quite the player on your hands. Don't overthink this one. This kid is a D1 caliber guard and will only improve going forward. I'll sell half my share of 270 Hoops if I'm wrong about Cook. I believe in him that much. 

Donovan Hunter (6'8 F / Westerville Central / 2023): Buy stock now in Hunter. The 6-foot-8 forward put it all together on Friday and looked really solid for the entire game. While he began his day in the wee hours of the morning getting extra shots and reps in, that seemed to pay off, as Hunter knocked down two threes and finished a handful of putbacks near the rim. We were impressed with his confidence, shot selection and activity on the glass, as he owned the defensive boards and created several second chance opportunities. There's not another sophomore in the area that's longer and bigger than Hunter, and the crazy thing is, he may not be done growing. With a fluid handle, smooth jump shot and improving motor, Hunter has all the measurables to be a really good college prospect. The next step for him is to add upper body strength to finish through contact better, which will only expand his game and make him more sought after. With a tireless work ethic and drive to succeed, Hunter has all the chance in the world to develop into a high-level player. We were happy to see him show everything he can do, as he had a career-high scoring output against a very good opponent. If Central can get double double performances out of Hunter on a consistent basis, this team will be a force to deal with for anyone. 

Landon Tillman (5'11 PG / Westerville Central / 2021): Every small college in Ohio should be pursuing Tillman. The 5-foot-11 senior has been one of the most improved players in the area, as he provides a huge role for this Warhawks team. Locking up on the perimeter and guarding every opposing team's best player, Tillman was back to his normal self on Friday against Sheldon, who came in averaging close to 25 points per game. Holding the Coffman junior to five first half points, Tillman had another big time night, just weeks after doing the same thing to Thomas Worthington senior Jalen Sullinger. Even better for Tillman, he was in a rhythm offensively, scoring 12 points, as he stretched the floor with his three-point shot and showed strong finishing ability. A kid who was severely undersized and looked over for most of his high school career (admittedly, I was one of those people who overlooked him), Tillman never let that deter him, as he continued to put in the work and improve his game. Going through a late growth spurt and finding his niche, the senior guard has developed into an elite two-way guard that brings his greatest impact on the defensive end of the floor, a testament to his team-first attitude which is becoming increasingly rare in a "look at me" social media era. This kid will help your program win games. 

Nash Hostetler (6'4 WG / Dublin Coffman / 2021): In a tough matchup against a long and athletic Westerville Central team, Hostetler had a strong night, leading all scorers with 21 points. The 6-foot-4 wing guard is a dead-eye shooter that knocked down five threes once again tonight, something that is becoming rather usual for him. Hostetler can put the ball on the floor and finish at the rim, has the strength, physicality and athleticism to defend multiple positions and has great positional size at the next level. While he's only receiving mostly Division III interest, we feel that Hostetler has scholarship potential, as he is very much in the mold of former Dublin Coffman standout Luke Bartemes, who is serving a vital role off the bench for the No. 1 Division II team in the nation, Lincoln Memorial. Hostetler is a plug and play guy that will bury threes at a high level and give you everything he has on the defensive end of the floor. 

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