COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The inaugural Battle in the 614: Ohio Capital City Classic tipped off this past weekend at Ohio Dominican. While snow cancelled Monday's games, both Saturday and Sunday hosted a handful of local teams and players a bright stage to compete. Let's take a look at the top performers from the final five games of Sunday's action.

Before we do that, let's take a look at the results all-tournament team from the event.

Saturday, Jan. 15

Watkins Memorial 44 vs. Jonathan Alder 38  (girls) -- Players of the Game: Alyssa Have (WM) & Mary Ferrito (JA)

Marysville 42  vs. St. Francis DeSales 26 (girls) -- Players of the Game: Leah Brown (M) & Liz Meeker (SFD) 

Olentangy Orange 44  vs. New Philadelphia 33  (boys) -- Players of the Game: Jack Taylor (OO) & Carter Vandal (NP)

South 62 vs. Dayton Ponitz 42 (boys) -- Players of the Game: Dayshaun Anderson (S) & Maurice McCall (SHS)

Walnut Ridge 70 vs. Thurgood Marshall 34 (boys) -- Players of the Game: Tyree Morgan (WR) & Ronald Smith (TM)

Northland 37 vs. Dublin Jerome 34 (boys) -- Players of the Game: Tabree Beacham (N) & Luke Kuhlman (DJ)

Sunday, Jan. 16

Watkins Memorial  42 vs. Hilliard Bradley 34 (girls) 

St. Charles 53 vs. Mansfield Senior 37 (boys) -- Players of the Game: Max Colucy (SC) & Maurice Ware (M)

Bishop Watterson  45 vs. Jonathan Alder 44 (boys) -- Player of the game: Cole Rhett (BW) and Peyton Heiss (JA)

 Jonathan Alder 38 vs. Hilliard Davidson 30 (girls) -- Players of the Game: Mary Ferrito (JA) & Gwen Jenkins (HD)

Hilliard Davidson 56 vs. Bishop Hartley 41 (boys) -- Players of the Game: Jayden Nervis (HD) & Amari Gaston (BH)

Bishop Ready 64 vs. Shawnee 49 (boys) -- Player sox the Game: Charlie Russell (BR) & Zion Crowe (S)

St. Charles vs. Mansfield Senior

Maurice Ware (6’2 G / Mansfield Senior / 2022): Ware is an aggressive senior guard for the Tygers that competed hard on both ends. He can really attack off the bounce and is not afraid to play through contact. He did not have the most efficient shooting night, however, he was a source of offensive creation for Mansfield. The talent is evident with Ware’s game, he just needs to take the next step in his development and find ways to harness his aggressive style of play to be more efficient. The senior has a strong build and good size in the backcourt. Teams that play at a high tempo and let their guards play with freedom would benefit from Ware’s abilities. 

Chase Walker (6’8 C / St. Charles / 2023): The junior Walker is an absolute matchup problem. His 6-foot-8, 330 pound frame is far too imposing for most high school players, while he has as high of an IQ as you will find for any high school post player. The junior has an outstanding presence on the block, as he is as patient as any big man we’ve covered since Kaleb Wesson. Walker does a terrific job gaining position in the post and is equally as good at finishing through contact. Perhaps the best parts of his game are his passing ability and touch at the free throw line, which allow him to impact the game in every way imaginable offensively. In single coverage, Walker can get a bucket against any defender, while having the awareness and feel to pass out of the multiple double and triple teams that come his way. This is a young man whose best basketball is far ahead of him. 

Isaac Searls (6’3 SF / St. Charles / 2022): Searls is a very good perimeter defender. Drew the assignment of Ware and did a great job forcing the senior guard into tough looks. The senior wing has great length, moves well on the wing and has very good defensive instincts. He is an explosive offensive player who makes an impact on both ends of the floor. Local Division III programs would be wise to recruit Searls, as he will do whatever it takes to win and knows how to impact the game at a high level with his hustle, energy, effort and athleticism. 

Max Colucy (6’3 PF / St. Charles / 2023): Colucy was a workhorse in the first half, coming up with a handful of strong hustle plays on the interior. Colucy finished at a high level through contact and gave the Cardinals a great boost of energy. Colucy had nine rebounds in the first half alone and shot a perfect 3-for-3 from the field. 

Jonathan Alder vs. Bishop Watterson

Cole Rhett (6’6 C / Bishop Watterson / 2023): Rhett’s buzzer-beating game winner perfectly sums up his performance on the day. The junior big man was able to gain positioning quickly in the post, and made a smooth transition to the basket for the win. The game’s leading scorer made a habit of doing this from the very beginning and never backed away from it. The 6-foot-6 center has a great post game, as he used great ball control, footwork, and vision to put the ball in the basket, sometimes fighting off multiple defenders at once. Each basket he scored appeared to come easier than the previous one. Rhett is a player who knows his way around the paint and can get around defenders regardless of what you throw at him. His consistent scoring ability makes him almost impossible to contain, as well as one of the most elite and exciting bigs to watch in the area. 

Peyton Heiss (6’2 SG / Jonathan Alder /  2024): Heiss will be a player to keep an eye on out at Jonathan Alder in the coming years. The sophomore guard is a reliable scorer who can knock down huge shots that can shift the momentum of any game. He was able to get into a rhythm early with some threes to help get his team going. Later on, he hit on a few more big shots, including a go-ahead triple and pair of free throws in the final minute. Despite losing in the final seconds, you could feel the impact Heiss had on the game and the rest of the team. Only a sophomore, Heiss is already a go-to-guy for the Pioneers as he has taken a huge step forward since last season, and his ability to lead through his performance on the court is extremely valuable to any team.

Joey Walker (6’6 PF / Jonathan Alder / 2022): Joey Walker was arguably the toughest player on the floor. The senior forward had a handful of tough finishes at the basket. His fearlessness to go right at defenders led to multiple scores on the interior. Walker showed off his toughness on the defensive end as well, as he contested numerous shots around the paint and pestered the defense into some turnovers. Walker isn’t the strongest or most athletic player you’ll find, but the toughness mentality he brings makes up for it.

Grant Welsch ( 6’1 PG / Jonathan Alder / 2022): Welsch is the definition of a true point guard. The senior knows his role within his team and he plays it well. The point guard had his teammates involved early and often, and it resulted in several assists throughout the game. He had the offense running smoothly at a great pace, resulting in a great shot on almost every possession. Welsch’s composure throughout the game, specifically down the stretch, was also very impressive, as the offense continued to flow well even in the late and hectic stages of the game. He also knocked down a crucial three pointer during the fourth quarter. Welsch plays a major role in Jonathan Alder’s offensive production thanks to his play at the guard position.

Owen Samenuk (6’1 SG / Bishop Watterson / 2023): Samenuk was extremely impactful on both sides of the ball. The junior knocked down a couple of key jump shots late in the fourth quarter to help keep his team within one possession, and his awareness and quickness on defense led to multiple turnovers and easy scores in transition. He also made an impressive block, shifting over to a wide open defender in time to block a jump shot. Samenuk’s full impact on a game doesn’t always make its way over to the box score, but he is certainly a player opposing teams must account for every game, as he’s a threat to create chaos all over the court.

Jonathan Alder vs. Hilliard Davidson

Mary Ferrito (5'10 SG / Jonathan Alder / 2022): Ferrito is a primetime scorer. The senior was dialed in all game long, powering Alder to a come from behind win over Hilliard Davidson. The guard is extremely aggressive and competes at an elite level. She defended the basketball at an elite level, frustrating Davidson star Gwen Jenkins and making her work for everything. Ferrito plays with a high level motor and forms a terrific one-two punch in the backcourt with Platfoot. As one of the elite scorers in the area this season, Ferrito has what it takes to contribute at the next level. 

Katie Hooley (5'9 SG / Jonathan Alder / 2022): Hooley had a very productive game for Alder on Sunday, knocking down a handful of jumpers and providing offense when the Pioneers needed it most. Hooley has a quick trigger and is a very confident shooter. Her ability to make shots and provide support for Ferrito and Platfoot makes this Alder team very dangerous on the offensive end of the floor. 

Evan Platfoot (5'8 PG / Jonathan Alder / 2024): Platfoot is a floor general point guard that sets the table for Jonathan Alder. She did a great job on Sunday attacking the basket, as she has solid wiggle and quickness off the bounce. The sophomore has been very productive from the very start of her career and is a big reason why Alder has been a top contender in Division II.

Gwen Jenkins (5’11 SG / Hilliard Davidson / 2023): Jenkins is an absolute bucket. She is so vital for Hilliard Davidson with her ability to create offense. She has great court awareness, is a deadeye shooter both off movement and off the bounce, while having a tight handle and strong footwork around the basket. The sophomore is a confident player that knows how to get to her spots, while having communication skills that you rarely see from underclassmen. She drew a tough matchup against Alder senior Mary Ferrito and held her own all afternoon. 

Hilliard Davidson vs. Bishop Hartley

Roman Niemeier (6’2 SG / Hilliard Davidson / 2022): Niemeier was dialed in from deep for Davidson on Sunday, knocking down three huge triples in the first half. The senior is a catch and shoot assassin on the perimeter. He fits this team nicely, as Davidson has two interior threats in Jayden Nervis and Peyton Frey that open up perimeter opportunities for shooters like Niemeier. For this Davidson team to accomplish the things they’ve set out for, they’ll need role players like Niemeier to continue strong performances like he had on Sunday. 

Amari Gaston (6’3 SG / Bishop Hartley / 2022): Gaston is the lifeblood of a young Hartley team. The senior leader is a physical scoring threat that is best served attacking off the bounce. Gaston is a high-level athlete who does not lack confidence. He has shot creation ability on all levels and is very talented with the ball in his hands. Small college programs in the area could really benefit from Gaston’s services, as he is a very difficult one-on-one matchup with his athleticism and physicality. 

Jayden Nervis (6’6 SF / Hilliard Davidson / 2022): Nervis is a flat out competitor that loves to win. We loved the way he played on Sunday, as his energy level was elite on both ends of the floor. The 6-foot-6 wing is a supremely talented athlete that has grown tremendously in his feel for the game. Nervis plays controlled, can play any position in the high school game and is a versatile defender thanks to his length and mobility. He knocked down a single three, had three impressive scoring drives to the rim and led the game in assists, showing growth in his ability to play in the half court. We feel Nervis would be a steal at this point in the recruiting cycle, as it's not often you find players with his length, athleticism, mobility and natural talent.

Peyton Frey (6’7 hybrid big / Hilliard Davidson / 2023): The 6-foot-7 junior Frey is one of the better big man prospects in Central Ohio. Frey has great length, skill and versatility, as he was one of the game’s leading scorers in Davidson’s win over Hartley. Frey can back you down and score over either shoulder, while having the shooting touch to stretch the floor out to the three point line. The junior is an impactful rebounder who can establish position on the block and keep it. His ability to stretch a defense at the five spot is extremely valuable, as most teams do not have an opposing big with the skills and size that Frey offers. 

Jaden Calloway (6’0 PG / Bishop Hartley / 2025): Calloway is a freshman guard who plays with the purpose and maturity of an upperclassman. We really enjoyed watching him compete on Sunday, as he made an impact on both ends. The freshman was one of few consistent scorers for the Hawks, showing the ability to finish at the basket and through contact. Calloway has a good feel for the game, as he is comfortable playing in the half court and can make the correct reads on the offensive end. When his younger brother Jakhi Calloway joins the fold next winter, Hartley will have one of the toughest pound for pound backcourts in the Central Catholic League for three full seasons. 

Bishop Ready vs. Springfield Shawnee

Charlie Russell (6’5 SF / Bishop Ready / 2023): Russell, a 6-foot-5 junior forward, can dominate a game. Whether it was vicious drives to the rim, knocking down jump shots, forcing turnovers, or even taking charges, Russell did everything necessary to win and put together an all-around great performance in the process. With a wide set of skills, the junior can score in any way you would need him too, has the size and length to defend all positions, and can stretch the floor. The balanced attack that Russell has in his arsenal can leave defenders lost as there isn’t a clear way to limit his impact, and it makes one of the most captivating players to watch in the Central Catholic League, if not the entire area.

Kaleb Schaffer (6’5 SF / Bishop Ready / 2023): Schaffer is a tough forward who can score at will. The 6-foot-5 junior was dialed in, hitting several jumpers and forcing his way inside for some impressive finishes close to the basket as well. Schaffer can put together some solid post moves to get to the rim, and he can also create separation from defenders with a nice fade or a smooth turnaround jumper. Schaffer is a player who will do everything in his power to outwork his opponents, and with his size advantage on the court, it’s tough to meet him with the same level of intensity and toughness.

Luke Ruth (6’2 HG / Bishop Ready / 2023): Standing at 6-foot-2, Ruth can play positionless basketball. The junior can establish position in the post, drive through traffic for a tough basket in the paint, and has great passing vision. Ruth tallied several impressive baskets throughout the contest, primarily with his will to take the ball to the rim without any hesitation. He then mixed in some moves from the post as well as a handful of nice passes that were converted into easy scores. Ruth is simply another do-it-all player who can play all over the court and meshes perfectly with Bishop Ready’s lineup. 

Zion Crowe (6’4 SF / Springfield Shawnee / 2023): Crowe is one of the best players from just outside of Central Ohio. The 6-foot-4 junior is a matchup problem with his athleticism, physicality and versatility. He had an efficient 13 points on Sunday, shooting 6-for-8 from the field and showing strong finishing ability near the rim. Crowe is a well built wing with a great frame, offering intriguing athleticism and a pretty looking jumper. We would like to see Crowe play again, as he has next level ability and could become one of the more highly sought after recruits next season.

Zane Mercer (5’11 SG / Springfield Shawnee / 2024): Mercer had a very strong first half for Shawnee, showing a high level ability to make shots. The sophomore knocked in two of his three attempts from deep and had a couple strong scores inside the three-point line. This Shawnee team has a bevy of offensive weapons between Crowe and RJ Griffin, as it will be important for Mercer to continue to step up into a go-to complementary player. This team has the potential to make noise in the postseason.