GRANVILLE, Ohio -- The Central Ohio Fall league powered by Nova Village and 270 Hoops completed action in its final week this past weekend on Saturday. There was a lot of talented players to watch, and lots of underrated players that stood out. This weekend also consisted of a few teams who ended the fall league with a championship.

The Platinum Division Champs were the Bulls. This team included: 
 

• Olentangy Orange '22’SG Jack Taylor- MVP
• Bishop Watterson '22 F Gilbert Oduro
• Olentangy Orange '22 SG Eddie Brown
• DeSales '22 PF Atticus Schuler
• DeSales '24 PG Michael Dean Walker
• Bishop Watterson '22 G Sam Schuler
• Olentangy Liberty '22 SG Dean Stack
• Buckeye Valley '22 PG Owen Osborne
• Marysville '22 SG Dayne Johnson
• Olentangy Liberty '22 PG Trey Majizadeh

The Gold Division Champs were the Pacers. This team included:

• Olentangy Liberty '23 G Matt Wilson- MVP
• Bishop Ready '23 G Luke Ruth
• Pickerington Central '23 PG Andrew Hedgepath 
• Dublin Jerome '23 G Lachlan MacDonald
• Bishop Ready '23 F Kaleb Schaefer
• Olentangy Oberlin '23 SF Jason Inbody
• Dublin Coffman '23 SF Aiden Schimdt

 The Silver Division Champs were the Hawks. This team included: 

• Pickerington North '23 SF Jeff Amapps- MVP
• Utica '22 G Seth Cooper
• Licking Heights '23 PG Jayden Griffith
• Bishop Hartley '23 PG Noah Coates
• Licking Heights '23 PG Kison Coates-Edmondson
• Licking Heights '24 F Joel Busker
• Grove City Christian '23 G Braydan Taylor
• Newark '24 PG Kolin Watson
• New Albany '22 W Blake Pistro

Chris Mitchell (6’5 W / Bexley / 2022): Chris Mitchell was the best player in the gym on Saturday. Following a recent offer from Ashland, Mitchell was very impressive to watch. He displayed many of his athletic abilities and a high level of skill in shooting the basketball. He has improved each time I’ve watched him, and he always leaves me with no doubts about him being able to thrive at the next level. D2 programs should check out Mitchell in his senior season at Bexley.

LB Towns (5’9 PG / Linden / 2022): LB Towns also put together a solid performance this past Saturday. He scored the ball at an elite level for his size and did an excellent job in not only making plays for himself but also for his teammates. Towns is going into his senior year as the lead guard at Linden and is arguably one of the best players in the city league this upcoming season. 

Dior Conners (6’2 PG / Pickerington North / 2022): Dior Conners is really good at putting the ball in the hoop and he does it really well.  He has a nice handle with a quick first step and is very difficult to guard in the half court setting. Conners is another senior in the area who many coaches should look out for this season on a talented Pickerington North squad.

Lance Pressley (6’6 F / Pickerington Central / 2022): Lance Pressley was also among the group of players who always seems to improve each time.  Pressley did all the right things that is expected from a player at his size and position. He rebounded well, played great defense, and showed some ability to stretch the floor with his shooting. His game should carve out a 3 and D role at the next level. 

Chase Walker (6’8 C / St. Charles Prep / 2022): Chase Walker was just too big and dominant for everyone on Saturday. The St. Charles center was most impressive defensively in altering a ton of shots and in rebounding the ball well. Entering his senior season, he will be a top player in the CCL this year.

Other notable performers: Amari Gaston (6’2 F / Bishop Hartley / 2022), Dante Collier (6’4 G / Licking Heights / 2022), Brandon McLaughlin (6’8 F / Heath / 2022), Julian Heckman (6’0 G / Reynoldsburg / 2022), Quinn Corna (6’3 G / Upper Arlington / 2022), Nicholas Heath (6’3 G / Upper Arlington / 2022)

Jeff Amapps (6’3 G / Pickerington North / 2023): Jeff Amapps was the breakout player of the fall league. His stock rose with the performances he put on for the past 5 weeks. Amapps is an impressive athlete who can finish at the rim, rebound, and guard your team’s best player. Expect a big season from him on a strong Pickerington North team.

Marlon Elliott Jr. (6’2 G / Groveport Madison / 2022): Marlon Elliott Jr. is a winner. He showed his leadership in being a great communicator and the loudest player in the gym. He always plays with a ton of heart and leaves everything out on the floor. Elliott is a competitor and player who can’t go unnoticed. He is also a guy who deserves a spot at the next level because he’ll out work everyone for it.

Handy Toussaint (6’8 F / Worthington Christian / 2022): Handy Toussaint is an intriguing prospect. He has the perfect build for the college level, and he showed flashes of an elite basketball player. He was able to guard on the perimeter and had a lot of blocks around the rim. To add to his defense, Toussaint is very athletic. He had many highlight dunks and plays that turned heads. As one of the right pieces, Toussaint adds to a Worthington Christian team that will look to make another run at a state championship.

Jack Taylor (6’4 G / Olentangy Orange / 2022): Jack Taylor led an undefeated fall league team for the entire 5 weeks. His shooting and slashing ability played a huge role in their success. Taylor has a smooth game in being able to score at all three levels and in keeping defenders off balance using his skills and moves going towards the basket. Taylor is looking to contribute in a big way for Olentangy Orange this season.

Gilbert Oduro (6’6 F / Bishop Watterson / 2022): Gilbert Oduro is a long, athletic forward with a great motor. He plays well offensively in being active and moving without the basketball. Defensively, his athletic build are great tools for rebounding and making it tough for players to get easy shots off. Oduro was a great role player last season for the Eagles but expect for him to really blossom as a strong prospect in the area.

Other notable performers:  Matt Wilson (6’2 G / Olentangy Liberty / 2023), Jaden Dunn (5’8 PG / Kipp Columbus / 2023), Andrew Hedgepeth (6’2 PG / Pickerington Central / 2023), Aiden Schmitt (6’3 F / Dublin Coffman / 2023), Luke Ruth (6’2 G / Bishop Ready / 2023), Joshua Lim (6’3 G / Mechanicsburg / 2022), Duane Davis (5’11 PG / Groveport Madison / 2022), Adrian Stone (6’0 PG / Olentangy Berlin / 2022)  Matt Butler ( 6’5 W / Dublin Jerome / 2022)  Eddie Brown ( 6’5 SG / Olentangy Orange / 2022)

Jonah Lewis (5”10 G / Worthington Christian / 2024): Jonah Lewis is really good. On Saturday, he impressed with his shot creating ability in making a ton of difficult shots. With him only being a sophomore, there’s a lot of potential and Lewis is only going to get better. This season gives him a huge opportunity to prove himself as one of the area’s top guards.

Jay Agrawal (5’11 G / Olentangy / 2025): Jay Agrawal was one of my favorite players to watch. Agrawal has a consistent smooth jumper with great mechanics. He also impressed me with his defensive performance in using his long frame to get in passing lanes and block shots on the perimeter. Very excited to watch his development and how much better he can get.

Pharez Nicholas (6’4 F / Bishop Hartley / 2025): Pharez Nicholas is going to be really good. He has an extremely high motor on both ends of the court. He’s an athlete and appears to be a guy who is very responsive to coaching and can play at the varsity level. I believe Nicholas will be very impactful for Bishop Hartley this year in the CCL.

Jonathan Whiteside (6’4 F / Gahanna Lincoln / 2024): Looking to follow after his brother Josh’s footsteps, Jonathan is a great player. He has similarities to his brother’s game but one thing like about him is he’s a hustler. He went after every rebound and was very aggressive on the offensive glass. Look for Whiteside to continue to develop his game and find a role on a loaded Lincoln squad.

Noah Smith (6’3 G / Reynoldsburg / 2024): Noah Smith also had a great showing this weekend. Similar to Whiteside, he contributed in many ways on both ends. He put clamps on a ton of older guys on Saturday and that was nice to watch. Smith will be a great player for Reynoldsburg this year. 

Other notable performers: Derek Goodman (6’2 SG / Olentangy Berlin / 2024), Kruz McClure (6’0 G / Westerville South / 2025), Ethan Stare (5’10 G / Newark / 2024), Devin Martin (5’9 G / Westerville Central / 2024), KJ Reynald (5’10 G / Gahanna Lincoln / 2024),  Juwan Turner (5’10 PG / Pickerington Central / 2024)