COLUMBUS, Ohio -- As the prep basketball community in Columbus continues to evolve, one of the best fall events of the year is hosted by Nova Village each Tuesday. For just a small fee of $75, players can compete in Nova Village's High School Showdown for six weeks, which focuses on skill training, and putting players in positions where their only choice is to compete.

On Tuesday, there were about 30 players in the gym, with a few standouts in the crowd. Let's take a look at some of the evening's top go-getters.

Dominiq Penn (5'10 PG / Dublin Coffman / 2020): Fresh off an intense lifting and conditioning session at Dublin Coffman earlier Tuesday, Penn could have made excuses to not go hard for the duration of the evening session. For Penn, however, no excuses would be made as he appeared fresh and was the top guard performer in the entire gym. Mercifully raining down shots from all over the perimeter, Penn's shooting was a thing of beauty on Tuesday, as he made defenders pay at any given opportunity. Penn is more than just a shooter, though, as his ability to handle the ball, create separation and get by defenders is impressive for a player his age. Penn has a chance to be really good.....this year.

Jerome Hunter (6'7 SF / Pickerington North / 2018): Jerome Hunter is a man. A grown one at that. At least that's how he has performed for the last seven months, dominating in every single viewing that we've had of him. Abusing defenders with his toughness, drive, length and versatility, Hunter is a mere impossible matchup when his pull-up jump shot is falling, because he's also going to get by you, and he's going to score. On Tuesday, that was the case, as Hunter did literally everything, rebounding, defending, scoring, handling and leading, while also confirming the already known fact that he was the top player in the gym. Receiving offers from schools like Ohio State, Michigan, Xavier, Florida, West Virginia and more, Hunter is a high-major talent whose stock is not even close to done cooling off. 

Caleb South (6'0 PG / Tipp City Bethel / 2018): You won't find many players out there that go harder than Tipp City Bethel's South. Coming all the way from north of Dayton, South played like his life was on the line Tuesday, punishing defenders and scoring through contact consistently. For as good as he was on offense, he was even better on defense, picking up opposing ball handlers full court, and really making his opponent work to do much of anything. While outside of our coverage area, South is a guard in the 2018 class that we will continue to monitor. 

Jeremiah Keene (6'2 PG / Westerville North / 2019): The only player in the gym wearing a headband on Tuesday, Keene was rocking a mid 2000s look on the hardwood. It wasn't just all style for the Westerville North sophomore, however. Playing as if he was shot out of a cannon, Keene was physical, fast and punishing, getting to the basket and scoring at will. While possessing the ability to knock down shots from the perimeter, Keene put jump shooting on the back burner and got to the rim repeatedly on Tuesday. With a quick first step and enough athleticism to blow by defenders, Keene has the makings of a 20+ point scorer. 

Thomas Hickman (6'0 PG / Westerville Central / 2018): One 2018 guard that we've known about for a long time, Hickman was at his best on Tuesday. Playing physical and getting to the rim, Hickman was one of the better scoring guards off the bounce, while also still being able to stretch the floor and knock down shots. Playing at the varsity level for the last two years behind other primary scorers, the time is now for Hickman to become the 'guy' at Westerville Central.

Eli McNamara (6'8 PF / Pickerington North / 2018): McNamara is becoming damn near unstoppable when his jump hook is falling in the post, with his jump shot not far behind. Always possessing great upside, McNamara is starting to put it all together this offseason, which could be an indicator for a breakout season to come. Playing with a mean streak could take McNamara to the next level. 

Taylor Currie (6'8 PF / Worthington Christian / 2019): While Currie initially caught our eye a year ago with his touch from the perimeter, the 6-foot-8 sophomore has worked hard to become a force on the interior. On Tuesday, that was the case and then some, as Currie rocked the rim all evening long. Playing with passion and motor, Currie dominated the interior for the most part, capping off Tuesday's performance with a bit of a dunk show in the final 5 on 5 scrimmage of the night. 

Dondre Palmer (6'4 SF / Pickerington North / 2018): One of the area's best on-ball defenders, Palmer consistently brings it on both ends of the floor. Effort and motor is never a concern for the 6-foot-4 wing, which has made Palmer one of the fall's more interesting prospects, as his offensive skill set continues to evolve. Palmer has been a knockdown mid-range shooter in the viewings we've had of him this fall. 

Kai Derden (6'1 SG / DeSales / 2019): Athletic swing man that plays with a terrific motor. Derden made plays on Tuesday with effort, using his length to get inside and make things happen. A capable outside shooter as well, Derden is an intriguing wing prospect to keep an eye on.