COLUMBUS, Ohio - - The second week of the Central Ohio Fall League, powered by Nova Village, saw the young talent in Central Ohio take center stage at Reynoldsburg High School’s Summit Campus. There was a small guard that was dynamic, young men who were sharpshooters and others that impressed on Saturday morning. The effort that was on display from all the young athletes were impressive, but check out what players stood out from the second week of the Central Ohio Fall League. 

Charlie Burks: This young man was one of the best young guards in the building, he was totally in control of both games, dictating the pace, despite ending the day 1-1 after a tough loss and dominant win. He was a playmaker that made quick decisions with the ball and found different ways to get his shot off being a small guard. When he got to his right hand, he was tough to stop, getting to the rim and finishing while absorbing contact from bigs. Burks showed off his range, knocking in multiple three-pointers, doing it off the dribble and some catch-and-shoot jumpers. One of the best overall guards in the building, a bright future is ahead for this young man. 

Gabriel Stumph: One of the best shooters that stepped foot on the court on Saturday, Stumph put his burner on display and helped his team stay unbeaten with another 2-0 morning. He did not force his shot or over dribble looking for it, he was patient and efficient with his shot selection. The Big Walnut product moved well without the ball and got to the open spots on the court. Stumph used his jumper to also get to the rim where he showed off some good body control in the air and played off two feet in the paint very well. In transition he showed that he could run the break and not make a mistake, getting it to the right person and knowing when to take the ball and score himself. His team looks to be one of the best in the division and he is one of the reasons why. 

Anthony Durant: A well-rounded athlete that shows huge upside as a player, with his abilities on both ends of the court. He showed good footwork in the post and a soft touch around the basket too. He was hitting floaters over defenders, as well as knocking in shots off the glass through tough defense. On the defensive end, he contested everything at the rim and did so without fouling too much, he was also able to make up for jumping too quickly due to his length around the basket. He controlled the glass on both ends of the court, he brought down almost every board at the rim and had a knack for tracking down long rebounds. His physicality on both ends was evident, fighting through contact and powering through the hands reaching in. The effort he has shown throughout the two weeks has his team tied for first place in his division at 4-0.

Grayson Bates: Possibly the most fun small guard to watch in the building on Saturday, Bates was a joy to watch as he helped keep his team unbeaten so far in the Central Ohio Fall League. He was dynamic with the ball in his hand, whether it was his electric handle or his open court brilliance, this young man was in control of both games. When he went downhill and got to the basket he was hard to stop, but he was also a knockdown shooter, making him a matchup nightmare. He was unselfish as well, showing good vision and hitting teammates with some dimes of passes as they were cutting. At such a young age, he showed some good leadership with his communication on and off the court. This kid is tough to stop and looks like he could be a big piece of the future of Central Ohio basketball. 

Jaden Weaver: Another really good athlete with a seemingly high ceiling, he played with a high motor all morning long and did not look tired after either game he was in. When the ball was in his hands he was in attack mode and went straight to the basket with aggression and intent to score. He was a reliable finisher at the rim when he got there, using his length and athleticism to get the ball in the bucket. Weaver was also an active defender, using his natural gifts and some pretty good instincts to cause some havoc for the offense. The young athlete was a beast on the glass too, coming down with multiple rebounds and show good timing on when to jump. His team’s first loss came in a 3-point heartbreaker, but they are still one of the best in the division. 

Anderson Thorne: The biggest piece to his team picking up their first win, the big was excellent throughout, but had a breakout game in the final game on Saturday, being a force on both ends of the court. On the offensive end, not only did he run the floor fluidly but he showed a nice post up game and great touch at the basket. He was patient on offense, taking what the defense gave him and taking advantage of his size on the court by not settling for jumpers. Defensively, Thorne showed good instincts with his steals from playing passing lanes and the way he protected the rim without fouling. He was also one the best rebounders in the building, relentlessly attacking the glass and high pointing the basketball like an NFL wide receiver. With their first win under their belt, hopefully this will lead to a swing in momentum for his team. 

Mathias Bobo: This young man played with swagger and confidence, then took it up to another level in his last game. He never got down on himself or his team, playing through the tough time his team had with determination. He showed flashes of being a really good passer, hitting cutters with bounce passes and shooters with lasers after he drove the ball. He always found the right player to score and got them the ball. When he looked to score, he finished at the rim with both hands. He did not rush anything, looking for his teammates first before he took the ball and tried to score himself. Bobo had a solid handle of the basketball and was physical as he drove the ball, being able to play through contact. 

Hamid Fallous: A consistent source of offense for his team, despite his team dropping both games, he was their best offensive player during both games. His jump shot from behind the arc was among the best in the building, showing a quick release and the ability to create space to get his shot off. While not an elite athlete, he has good speed in the open court and can find creases in the defense in transition. His team looks to bounce back after a tough Saturday of losses, this kid will continue to shoot and have an increased offensive output.