COLUMBUS, Ohio - - The Central Ohio High School Fall League, powered by Nova Village, started its playoffs on Sunday afternoon at Ohio Dominican University. Players from all over Central Ohio competed at a high level in hopes of winning the playoffs of the Fall League. Not only did the defending and undefeated champions from last season go down, so did a 1-loss squad that was on a roll, giving the audience two upsets on the afternoon. Let’s take a look at who impressed on Sunday afternoon:

Baden Forup ( 20 / Lexington High School / F): The big man was effective on Sunday afternoon, getting it done in a myriad of ways on the court. He ran the floor very well, getting up the court quicker than people would expect and finishing strong at the rim. He was a threat to hit shots from deep, constantly spotting up on the perimeter and not being shy about making a play from there. Forup got a block in transition and a block on a drive to basket, showing good timing and the ability to defend without fouling. He was a strong rebounder, snatching the ball out of the air and out of opposing players hands to snag boards. The junior played smart and physical, a trait that will translate well on the court once the season starts.

Jonathan Whiteside ( 2024 / Gahanna Lincoln / F): Whtieside is really athletic, but also has a solid all-around game that compliments his athleticism well. He’s fast in transition and can catch the ball anywhere in his area, he also got to the rim off bounce and showed he can make plays for himself and others with the ball in his hands. The junior stretched the floor by hitting jumpers from both mid-range and the three-point line while being an amazing finisher at the rim. He was a really good floor spacer, staying ready and being a threat from three. Whiteside was a versatile defender, being able to guard the perimeter while making sure that shots were contested at the rim when he was down there. Gahanna looks like one of the most athletic teams in the area entering the season, they will be so much fun to watch. 

Devin Brown ( 2025 / Olentangy Orange / G/W): A consistent performer all afternoon long, whether it was getting to the rim off the dribble or shooting the ball range, Brown was able to check all the boxes that helped his team win. The ball never got stuck in his hands, he made sure the ball was live and he was able to keep his teammates involved. He didn’t shoot many three’s, but it seemed like he never missed when he took them, shooting the ball with confidence and a nice release. As a defender, the sophomore made his man work and take tough shots over the top of him. Brown was the perfect glue guy for his team, someone that made everyone a little better in their roles because he played his so well, something that will translate to his experienced and loaded Olentangy Orange team.  

Isaiah Brown ( 2024 / Westerville Central / W/F): His energy and ability to defend multiple players while being an offensive threat made him stand out on Sunday afternoon, despite his team coming up short. He was unselfish in his approach to the game, getting his teammates involved and always hitting the open man in a good spot. Brown used his length on the perimeter to bother ball handlers and still contested shots in the paint when he was there. The junior was aggressive when he needed to be as well, slicing through the defense and getting to the rim or taking the open shot for himself when it was there. A tough minded player that plays the game with excellent effort, Brown did more than enough to help his team. 

Kison Edmondson ( 2023 / Licking Heights / G): In a defensive battle of a game, a team needs a point guard that will make good decisions and not put the ball in harm’s way while he’s leading the team and Edmondson did just that. His decisions were quick and decisive, getting the ball to his teammates for easy buckets while also being able to get in the lane himself and score. The senior played like one as he led his team to wins and a continued playoff run next week. Edmondson was calm and never played outside of himself, setting up the offense and running it with efficiency. He played off screens very well, using them and getting into the lane to make plays for himself and others. His team is a real threat to win the entire league, and some of it is due to his play on the court. 

Jamarcus Jones ( 2026 / Harvest Prep / G): The main source of offense in his team’s loss, Jones was aggressive and looked for his shot all afternoon. He attacked his man consistently and was able to live inside in the three-point line. His strength was vital to his attack as he powered through defenders and got to the basket repeatedly. Jones drained a couple triples with a smooth looking shot and quick release. He got the ball to open teammates when the defense collapsed on him, with some impressive passes to the perimeter. The freshman played with confidence and energy on both ends, communicating with his guys and showing some leadership. As Harvest Prep continues to reload, Jones looks to be apart of the future for the Warriors. 

Ephraim Campbell ( 2026 / Harvest Prep / F): This kid has all the potential in the world to be one of the more scary prospects in the area once he ups his aggression on the court and understands how good he can be. He is an explosive and quick jumper, with the ability to be a premier shot blocker and rim protector on the defensive end. When Campbell decided to be aggressive, he got to the rim and was able to finish a couple times. The freshman has an impressive looking jump shot and will become a real threat from beyond the arc. Once he puts it all together, Harvest Prep will have them another athletic stud. 

Anderson Davis ( 2026 / The Columbus / W): Good size and versatility on both ends of the court allowed Davis to shine on Sunday as both an inside-out scorer and playmaker. He helped his team to a win, gliding to the hoop effortlessly to finish at the rim numerous times with ease and athleticism. His lengthy frame gave him the greenest light to shoot the ball over any defender and he showed that he had a smooth handle in transition, grabbing a rebound and going end-to-end a few times. On defense, Davis showed that he could guard multiple positions effectively, both on the perimeter and inside the lane. This young man is a hidden gem in this class. 

Caleb O’Neil ( 2026 / Bishop Hartley / G): One of the best finishers at the rim the entire afternoon, O’Neil got to the basket and made layups in traffic look easy. The freshman was also able to hit mid-range jumper, after mid-range jumper from basically the same spot with little resistance from the defense. Caleb also got it done on the defensive end, forcing tough shots from offensive players. He played free and confident with the ball in his hands, controlling the game with his quick pace and keeping the defense guessing. This freshman has played at a solid level since week one, today was the culmination of his work. 

Jordan Hudson ( 2025 / St. Charles / G): His strong build and the way he was able to play off O’Neil on the perimeter was some fun to watch. Hudson operated at a high level on both ends, even took on the task of guarding the other team’s most experienced guard and made him work hard to even get shots up. He ran the offense like a true floor general, setting his teammates up and delivering solid passes where they could make a play. Hudson also scored at an efficient clip, getting to the cup and having a soft touch around the rim. His team cruised to a victory in their second game, some of it thanks to his playmaking and defensive will.