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Behind the 2019 Rankings

By Zach Fleer, 02/14/17, 12:15PM EST

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270 Hoops has refreshed its 2019 player rankings

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- With high-major star power at the top, the 2019 class in Central Ohio has been stellar from the opening tip. Taking Central Ohio by storm this season, sophomores in the area are leaving their mark in a season where many young players are shining. In the 2019 class alone, 20 of the 50 players ranked are averaging double figures. 

With that, we reintroduce our 2019 rankings. Grouping players into point guards, wing guards, wing forwards and centers, 270 Hoops has critically evaluated each player in the area, combining an analysis of production, play style, height and college projection to formulate the rankings.

Take a look at the complete rankings here. 

Point Guards

A class ripe with quality point guards, 2019 could possibly see five of its floor generals land at the Division I level when it's all said and done. 

At the top of that list is Jeremiah Francis. The MVP in the OCC-Ohio, Francis has been instrumental in leading Pickerington Central to a league title. Averaging 15.6 points per game, Francis has shown up during the Tigers' biggest games, leading Pickerington Central over elite, and many times, older competition. Francis has been so solid this season that many are considering him the top point guard in Ohio, regardless of class. We would not disagree with that notion. 

Right behind Francis is another Jeremiah. Leading Westerville North in scoring this season, Jeremiah Keene has been very solid as a sophomore. A deadly three-point shooter that is equally as dangerous when he's attacking the basket, Keene has been stellar for most of the season. A quick guard that can weave in and out of traffic, Keene is receiving many mid and high-major looks, as a strong AAU season could land him his first offer. 

Behind Francis and Keene are a group of point guards who can all play a high level. Each averaging double figures, we have been impressed with South's Treohn Watkins, Marysville's Bodie Eberhart, Canal Winchester's Brady Snyder, Olentangy's Sean Marks, Columbus Academy's Dorrian Moultrie and Jonathan Alder's Jacob Koenig.  While he hasn't played the position for long, Northland's William Mfum is being groomed at the point for the Vikings, as he could become an intriguing lead guard in the near future with his mix of strength and athleticism. 

Rank Name Height School
1 Jeremiah Francis 6'2 Pickerington Central
2 Jeremiah Keene 6'2 Westerville North
3 Treohn Watkins 6'0 South
4 Javohn Garcia 6'3 Pickerington Central
5 William Mfum 6'2 Northland

See the full point guard list here. 

Wing Guards

A very talented group of prospects, Central Ohio has no shortage of quality wing guards that can play. With great size, shooting ability and athleticism, the 2019 wing guards in the area have bright futures.

Leading that group is emerging Olentangy Liberty wing Ben Roderick. At 6-foot-5, Roderick has feathery touch behind the arc, while the lefty has enough athleticism to score off the bounce with consistency. Leading all sophomores with 18.8 points per game, Roderick has been the breakout wing in the 2019 class this year.

Coming behind Roderick is Gahanna marksman Josh Corbin. At 6-foot-3, Corbin has quality size on the wing and is one of the better off-the-bounce scorers in the class. Also a deadly shooter that can catch fire in a hurry, Corbin has led Gahanna in scoring this season at 12.3 points per game. 

Following Corbin is a pair of Central Catholic League wing guards that have been terrific this season. Bishop Hartley's Morgan Safford comes in at No. 3, as the 6-foot-4 wing is a three-level scorer at the high school level. Safford is an efficient scorer that can get it done from all over, stepping up this season for an experienced Hawks team heating up at the right time.

The latter of the CCL wings is Kayin Derden, an absolute assassin from behind-the-arc. In our three viewings of Derden this season, the 6-foot-2 guard has scored 24 points in two of those games, knocking down more than a dozen threes. A deadeye shooter that never lacks for confidence, Derden has been outstanding this season for DeSales. 

Rounding out the top five is Reynoldsburg's 6-foot-4 wing Ben Fort. An uber-talented guard that could very well end up at the Division I level, Fort has showed flashes of his high upside this season in helping lead Reynoldsburg back to relevance. Fort looks to still be growing, as he could finish near the top of this list in two years. 

Rank Name Height School
1 Ben Roderick 6'5 Olentangy Liberty
2 Josh Corbin 6'3 Gahanna
3 Morgan Safford 6'4 Bishop Hartley
4 Kayin Derden 6'2 DeSales
5 Ben Fort 6'4 Reynoldsburg

See the full list of wing guards here.

Wing Forwards

While this class is not as deep as the point guards and wing guards, 2019 offers some star power at the top.

Leading off with Jordan Mitchell, the Gahanna wing forward is far and away the top prospect in this group. With elite size, mobility and talent, Mitchell just exudes upside. With high-major offers and the biggest schools in the country beginning to take notice, Mitchell could end up at a blue blood program when it's all said and done. 

Behind Mitchell is Upper Arlington's Max Martz. A mid-major talent that can flat out shoot, Martz has been a stellar complimentary piece to Dane Goodwin this season, averaging 11.4 points per game. Martz has a versatile play style, as he can stretch the floor, bang inside for rebounds, defend the post and perimeter, and knock down shots off the bounce and off the catch. Martz features one offer from Western Carolina up to this point, while receiving some high-major interest from a few Big Ten programs. 

Behind Mitchell and Martz are several intriguing wing guards who have been productive this season, each averaging at least 11 points per game, as Delaware Hayes' Terin Kinsway, Johnstown's Owen Hazelbaker and Teays Valley's Ryan Wolfe have been terrific. Wolfe leads all wing forwards in scoring this season at 14 points per game. 

Rank Name Height School
1 Jordan Mitchell 6'7 Gahanna
2 Max Martz 6'5 Upper Arlington
3 Terin Kinsway 6'5 Delaware Hayes
4 Owen Hazelbaker 6'5 Johnstown
5 Ryan Wolfe 6'3 Teays Valley

See the full list of wing forwards here.

Centers

The talent in Central Ohio seems to be moving in cycles, as the next few years are due for quality guard and wing play. With the 2017 class offering a plethora of quality big man, the classes following aren't nearly as deep.

That is the case in 2019, however, there are still some intriguing prospects among the group. Newark's KeShawn Heard leads the pack, as the lengthy post has been a key piece off the Wildcats' bench this season. Heard has great size and length at 6-foot-7, and has shown to be a decently reliable shooter from the perimeter this year.

Following Heard are two bigs in the City League that are still looking to find their niche. Linden-McKinley's D'Amonte Jones is an intriguing, wiry and athletic front court piece who has been used primarily as a rebounder and shot blocker this season. Behind Jones is Beechcroft's Na'elle Simmons, who also offers elite length, but is still developing as a prospect and finding his strengths on the floor.

Rank Name Height School
1 KeShawn Heard 6'7 Newark
2 D'Amonte Jones 6'7 Linden-McKinley
3 Na'elle Simmons 6'7 Beechcroft
4 Alex Smith 6'6 Amanda-Clearcreek

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