COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The third week of the Central Ohio Fall League, powered by Nova Village, was back at Ohio Dominican’s Alumni Hall for another afternoon of action on Sunday. There were some shorthanded teams this past Sunday, leading to some fill-ins being added to teams which made for some interesting matchups across the day. Young talent mixed with veteran skill in some games and that gave the young players more confidence as the regular season approaches. The teams are now in full swing as the Fall League playoffs are creeping up on the players. Check out what players stood out in the second week of the Central Ohio Fall League. 

Daevyn Amankwaah (DeSales): The junior wing picked up the slack of some of his missing teammates on Sunday afternoon, scoring the ball at an elite clip while still being a guy that did most of the dirty work for his team by getting on the floor after loose basketballs and deflecting passes from offensive players. His offensive arsenal was on full display as he got to the bucket off the bounce, hit mid-range jumpers and even took his range out to the three-point line where he buried some shots from. He showed his defensive versatility as well, guarding different players at multiple positions and making them shoot over his outstretched arms. His outback lay-up in the second game gave his team a lead that they would not relinquish the rest of the afternoon, giving them another win and keeping them in first place in their pool. The versatile wing showed that while he usually plays the background, he can step up and be the main scorer on a team. 

Nohah Nichols (Tri-Valley): His dunks in transition showed how explosive and powerful he was, flying past defenders to tear down the rim. The senior excelled in the open court, with the ability to lead the break on his own and get his teammates involved or finishing at the basket in crafty ways. With his size, it is a wonder to see him move so quickly with the ball in his hands, but he has shifty movements in the paint, able to evade defenders and use his athleticism to score. His strength also allows him to be a versatile defender, forcing smaller players to shoot over him but he can be too quick and just as strong for bigger players on the perimeter. When his team is full and together, they might be the most talented roster at the Central Ohio Fall League, they sit at second place in their pool, with their only loses coming to the first place team, meaning they are just as tough as any other team in attendance on Sunday’s.  

Evan Allgood (Genoa Christian): A youngster that was thrusted into substitution duty multiple times and played excellent wherever he ended up. His efficiency from the behind the three-point line was particularly impressive, Allgood was a superb shooter no matter who he was playing against. He shoots it with confidence and heated up a few times on Sunday, nailing consecutive shots from deep a couple times during the day. Always a level-headed good decision maker, the freshman had good poise on the court, no matter who was on the court with and against him, making good decisions with the ball. On the defensive end, the freshman had active hands and caused turnovers, he also used his strength to not allow many other guards to blow past him, forcing them to shoot the ball over his contest. One of the better guards of his class, Allgood has a bright future ahead of him. 

Jimmy Braima (Licking Heights): A highlight waiting to happen, this athletic young man tortured the rim all Sunday afternoon, with repeated dunks that captured the attention of the everybody in the room. His speed in the open court is something to behold as well, he races down the court as if he’s shot out of a cannon and is effective finishing at the rim with both hands. On the offensive end, he demonstrated that he was much more than just an athlete as he was able to keep the defense off balance with his three-point shooting, knocking down numerous jumpers from deep during the afternoon. Defensively, his athletic ability and versatility was on display as he showed that he could defend inside the paint and on the perimeter. The freshman showed that he could move his feet and stay in front of ball handlers on the perimeter while contesting shots inside. One of the highest ceiling amongst players in his class, as his game expands, expect Jimmy to be at the top of list of hoopers in the Central Ohio area. 

Kayden Schaffer (Bishop Ready): One of the most experienced players in the building, as he has a state final four run under his belt, he played with the composure of a player that has seen a lot throughout his career. The senior was a beast in the open court, showing some bounce with a nice dunk and a little craftiness around the rim with his floater and layups at the basket. He threw some absolute dimes to teammates leading to easy scores for his team, in both transition and half court situations. He controlled the offense for his team, helping them go undefeated on the afternoon. The Silver Knight created space with ease to get his shot off and showed that he could score in different ways. Schaffer got to the bucket with a good first step, he hit some tough mid-range jumpers and extended his range to the three-point line, shouldering the offensive load for his team. With team being 4-2 so far during the Central Ohio Fall League, and can make a run to the title when they click on all levels. 

Jayden Jordan (Groveport Madison): A freshman who is a ball of non-stop energy, in constant attack mode on both ends of the floor. He defended the length of the floor, one of the only guards who did that the entire day, and it paid off as he used his quick hands to poke the ball away from ball handlers and get easy scores for himself. Jordan attacked the rim on the offensive side of the court, putting his head down and getting past defenders numerous times. With a really good handle and a quick first step, it was difficult for other guards to keep him out of the paint. Despite his aggressive nature, he knew when to pass and what pass to make, continuously making picture perfect bounce passes to teammates streaking down the court. He dove on the floor when the ball was loose and made an incredible hustle play where he saved the ball from going out of bounds after knocking it away and tossed it to his teammate for a bucket. He has one of the best motors in the building weekly, this past Sunday was his best day. 

Mitchell Zumberge (Columbus Academy): One of the better forwards in the building, Zumberge brought his game this past Sunday and played at a high level all afternoon. The freshman big man controlled the paint with his sheer size and power on both ends, being able to deter drivers, contest shots and even block some as well. He showed good lateral movement as well, being able to get to both sides of the paint quickly and was also able to get out on the perimeter and stay in front of his man. He did not get outside of himself on the offensive side of the court, using his formidable footwork to score on the block. Zumberge also had some really impressive finishes around the hoop, getting the ball in the bucket in various ways. The way he can take over a game at any given moment gives his team a chance to win whatever game he is in, he can be one of the premiere bigs of his class in Central Ohio.

Aedan Mitchell (Bexley): The most consistent source of offense for his team this past Sunday, Mitchell was able to shoulder the load on an undermanned roster that ended up playing five players midway through the opening game. He was a competitor that did not give up on his team and fought the entire game, despite his team not getting the results that they wanted. Mitchell displayed a solid jump shot, one that he made defenders respect as the game went on because of his ability to create space and knock down shots. He showed that he could guard both guard positions too, forcing offensive players to shoot tough shots over his arms. The Bexley junior was also in the right spot on the defensive end and was excellent at closing out on shooters. This young man looked like the definition of grit and determination, along with his team, the may have the most heart amongst a team in the Central Ohio Fall League.

Jake Saxton (Grove City): A sleeper guard that goes under the radar but he can flat out get it done and in different ways. Saxton can not only score on his own, he can also get his teammates involved with some wicked passes that he threw. While not the fastest guard, the freshman used his elite footwork to create space and get his shot off with a quick release. He also played with pace the entire time, knowing when to speed up and when to slow down and control the offense in the half court. Saxton used his eye to manipulate to defense and shift them before hitting his teammates with dime passes on the money for scores. As time goes on, his name will get noticed more because he is one of the best point guards in his class in the Central Ohio area.