COLUMBUS, Ohio -- As we are nearly through the first half of the regular season, players in each class are beginning to emerge all across the area. Take a look at the second of a four-part series detailing a few of the top stock risers in each class.

Moving onto the sophomore class, there are quite a few players making headlines through the first part of the year. In a 2020 class that saw a handful of players emerge last season, there are a few names coming out of the woodwork so far in the 2017-18 campaign. Let's take a look at them below.

Von Cameron Davis (6'5 WF, Walnut Ridge) - The leading scorer in this class from the very beginning, Davis has taken his production to an entirely new level this season. Putting up 25.7 points per game, Davis leads not only all sophomores in scoring, but is second in the entire area. A dominant player from eight feet and in, Davis eats on the offensive glass and creates a ton of second chance points for Walnut Ridge. In the last five games, Davis is averaging 30.2 points per contest, including a program-record 43 points in a win over Briggs on Dec. 19. Davis' production has Walnut Ridge as winners in its last five games, before a difficult league slate this week with meetings against Africentric and Eastmoor.

CJ Anthony (6'0 PG, Harvest Prep) - While Davis has been the best scoring forward in the class, Anthony has been the best scoring guard. Leading Harvest Prep with 23.6 points per game, Anthony has been a major reason for the Warriors' 10-0 start. A physically imposing guard with broad shoulders, Anthony is evolving into a three-level scorer, shooting the three-ball at an improved clip. The best point guard in the Mid-State League, Anthony will look to lead Harvest Prep to league, district, regional and possible state titles, as the Warriors debuted at No. 2 in the first state AP poll on Monday.

Dominiq Penn (6'0 PG, Dublin Coffman) - The most well known prospect in the class, Penn has enjoyed a strong start to the year for the 11-0 Shamrocks. Leading all OCC sophomores in scoring at 16.1 points per game, Penn has turned it on when the Rocks have needed it most, going for 35 points against Walnut Ridge and 21 points at Reynoldsburg, in Coffman's two closest games this season. A special ball handler who is becoming increasingly better at creating his own looks, Penn will have two major challenges this week as Coffman hosts No. 1 Pickerington North and No. 2 Upper Arlington in the next four days.

Nate Griggs (5'11 PG, Delaware Hayes) - Taking over the scoring load in the Delaware backcourt, Griggs is enjoying a breakout sophomore season. More than doubling his scoring average from last season, Griggs is putting up 15.2 points per game, including four 20+ point outings (28 vs. Thomas Worthington, 25 vs. Grove City, 21 vs. Tri-Valley and 20 vs. Hilliard Bradley). A talented shooter and tough ball handler, Griggs is moving up the ladder among the top guards in the 2020 class. 

Kaveon Ross (6'5 WF, Hamilton Township) - A recent emergence in the 2020 class, Ross has been on an absolute tear as of late. In two wins last week, the athletic 6-foot-5 forward totaled 59 points and 25 rebounds, dominating around the basket for a Hamilton Township team that needs all the physicality that Ross can provide them. Alongside fellow sophomore standout Marquis Moore, Ross and the Rangers are reaching new heights this season. Ross is putting up 14.4 points per game, with Moore right behind him at 13.9. Behind the duo, Hamilton Township is off to a 6-5 start, including an impressive 4-1 in league play. 

Matt Allocco (6'3 PG, Hilliard Bradley) - With the absence of senior guard Braden Norris, Allocco has resumed a much larger role in the backcourt than anyone could've expected. Resuming the vast majority of point guard duties, Allocco is playing on the ball a lot more than last season, which has offered its fair share of challenges. Despite that, Allocco is having a very solid start to the year, averaging 14.2 points per game, including 26 points in a win over Cooper (KY) to begin the year. The biggest point guard in the class, Allocco has been hotly recruited this season, as Division I programs all across the region are turning their attention to the 6-foot-3 sophomore.

Luke Lachey (6'6 WF, Grandview Heights) - Quite possibly the top breakout sophomore, Lachey is a very intriguing prospect with plenty of length and athleticism. The son of Ohio State football legend Jim Lachey, Luke Lachey has a quality bloodline athletically, as he is a three-sport standout, elite in football and track and field as well. On the hardwood, Lachey is a high wire wing forward who can make plays at the rim, stretch the floor out to 18 feet, and rebound with aggression. Look for Lachey to help Grandview become a force to deal with in the Division III district tournament. Lachey is averaging 13 points per game thus far in the season.

Damian Davis (5'10 PG, Bexley) - The sharp-shooting Davis broke out onto the scene in the last few weeks, putting up some impressive scoring performances for Bexley. A quick twitch guard with a pure stroke, Davis can play both on and off the ball, as he can handle, pass, dish and defend. Leading Bexley in scoring at 13.2 points per game, Davis put up 18 points per game in a 4-1 stretch for the Lions from Dec. 15-29. Becoming a primary target for opposing defenses, it will be interesting to see the type of numbers that Davis puts up going forward.

Josiah Fulcher (6'2 WG, Pickerington Central) - Growth comes hand in hand with being uncomfortable. For Fulcher, that has been the case this season, as injuries to the Tigers have forced him to play more of the point guard position than he has in the past. Having highs and lows that come with any young prospect, Fulcher has weathered the storm and is coming along nicely for Pickerington Central, as his ability to play both guard positions, make shots and facilitate at an improved rate will be key for the Tigers down the stretch with the absence of Jeremiah Francis. A talented prospect receiving interest from multiple high-major programs in the region, Fulcher is putting up 11.2 points per game this season, including a career-high 19 points in a win vs. Reynoldsburg on Dec. 22.

Otto Kuhns (6'3 WG, Bloom-Carroll) - As Bloom-Carroll graduated an accomplished 2017 class that went out on top with a Division II district title, the consensus around the Bulldog program was that Kuhns would be the next player to take the program by storm. Through the first half of the season, that has been the case, as the 6-foot-3 wing guard is leading all Bulldog scorers with 15.4 points per game. Another aggressive wing that also stars on the gridiron, Kuhns has exploded for 30+ points twice this year, including 32 points vs. Amanda-Clearcreek and 30 points vs. Liberty Union. Kuhns, along with fellow sophomore Markeece Brown, represent the new wave of talent for Bloom-Carroll, as the duo have put up major numbers and will look to lead a young Bulldog team deep in Division II.