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270 Hoops Fall League: Week 2 Standouts

By Zach Fleer, 09/19/18, 5:15PM EDT

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Standouts from Week 2 of the Open Division

LEWIS CENTER, Ohio -- After a successful opening week for the 270 Hoops Fall League Open Division, Week 2 was just as good, if not better. Let's take a look at the top performers from Week 2 of the Open Division.


Joey Thatcher (6'0 PG / Olentangy Liberty / 2019): Thatcher was lights out on Sunday, connecting from deep all afternoon long to help NC Bullets stay unbeaten at 4-0. Thatcher is a knockdown spot up specialist who showed more ability to handle and distribute than we previously thought.

Riley Gibson (5'10 PG / Circleville / 2021): Gibson is one of the best young guards in the Mid State League and a player Circleville will rely on for years to come. He had his best game of the season in leading The Academy to an opening win on Sunday, going for 18 points and putting on a shooting display. Look for Gibson to break out this year with the Tigers. 

Tyler Kindberg (6'2 WG / Worthington Christian / 2021): Kindberg has arguably been the biggest stock riser in the Open Division through two weeks. The athletic 6-foot-2 guard has shown an ability to put the ball on the floor and beat defenders to the rim. Kindberg plays with great energy, has a consistent motor and reminds us a lot of former Bishop Hartley guard Garrett Tipton. As Kindberg's perimeter game continues to expand, look for him to develop into one of the very best wings in the 2021 class.

Derrick Hardin (6'2 WG / Worthington Christian / 2020): Hardin has a great motor and put it to use in helping the Warriors notch a 44-36 win over the Thunder on Sunday. Hardin and high school teammate Nakimba Mullins combined for 25 points in the effort, both showing an ability to score around the basket. Look for Hardin and Co. to help lead Worthington Christian above .500 in 2018-19.

Ethan Stearns (6'2 G / Watkins Memorial / 2019): Stearns has been a model of consistency thus far in the season, leading the league in scoring and providing Nova Morgan with a strong backcourt presence. The high IQ guard can score, assist and defend, checking all the necessary boxes that lead guards must possess. Look for Stearns to have a breakout senior season as Watkins Memorial will have a chance to compete for a Licking County League title. 

Dylan Thompson (6'1 WG / Buckeye Valley / 2022): Thompson has one of the best motors out of any player in the freshman class, which has been key in Team Bron's 4-0 start. The Buckeye Valley wing can really score it at the rim, showing an ability to finish through contact. Thompson and high school teammate Troy Scowden both lead Team Bron with 9.2 points per game, each seemingly taking turns leading this squad to a perfect start.

Troy Scowden (6'5 PF / Buckeye Valley / 2022): Like we just mentioned, Scowden has been terrific for Team Bron, using his size, physicality and athleticism to give Team Bron an advantage in the front court. Scowden is a tough cover and arguably the top stock rising freshman in the division. 

Maurice Collins (6'3 W / Thomas Worthington / 2021): Stretching out to 6-foot-3, Collins is one of the more intriguing wings in the league, as he had a solid showing in YesU's tight win over the Rockets. Collins is able to score it using his length around the rim, is showing an improve ability to hit outside jumpers and has shown a willingness to defend each trip down. One of three talented sophomores at Thomas Worthington, look for Collins to continue to make strides in his development. 

Eli Burke (5'10 PG / Africentric / 2021): Scrappy is a way to describe Burke's game, as he gives you make effort on each end of the floor. A talented ball handler who waited his turn behind senior guards Tre Baumgardner and James Hodge last year, look for Burke to take a huge leap this year for the Nubians. Burke can create with the ball in his hands, as he possesses solid play-making ability and has a nice feel. 

Kyler Block (6'7 PF / Thomas Worthington / 2019): Block seems to be developing at the right time, as the 6-foot-7 senior big has been a hot commodity among Division III programs in the region. A smart player with a solid skill set, Block is only continuing to improve and should form for a terrific one-two punch alongside Ohio commit Ben Wight in Thomas Worthington's front court. 

Tylar Cox (6'4 WF / Johnstown / 2021): Cox jumped off the radar to us on Sunday in his opening performance, knocking down four big threes and converting at the stripe for 15 points in YesU's close loss to Hidden Gems 2021. Cox has great size at 6-foot-4 and dead eye range from deep, which should help him crack the rotation for the Johnnies this season, who will need an outside shooting threat such as himself to open up space for Owen Hazelbaker and Jake Lusk.

Cam Andrade (5'10 PG / Thomas Worthington / 2022): The younger brother of former Thomas Worthington guards Christian and Jaedyn Carter, Andrade plays with that signature toughness and grit that his older brothers had. That was what impressed us the most on Sunday, as he accepted the challenge against a senior laden NC Bullets team, not showing any intimidation as he knocked down a few shots and played tough defense. Andrade has a good motor, is a confident player and has a reliable outside jumper, all traits that should help him put together a productive career at Thomas Worthington. 

Jared Frey (6'4 WG / St. Charles / 2022): A player that we are really excited about, Frey was lights out for the Celtics on Sunday. Frey has great length at 6-foot-4 and is a knockdown shooter from deep, often times pulling up off the dribble with little hesitation. Frey is also not opposed to contact, using his size to score at the rim with above average athleticism. Look for Frey to have a chance to earn some early minutes on varsity, as he brings a great combination of size, skill and athleticism to St. Charles. 

Cam Kerns (6'5 PF / Dublin Jerome / 2019): Created second chance points all afternoon with his motor and energy. Kerns at 6-foot-5 gives the NC Bullets a reliable inside threat and is mobile enough to fill lanes on the break and punish defenses in transition. Look for Kerns to receive a rapid uptick in minutes this season, as we see Jerome relying on the toughness of him and Trey Ballengee this upcoming season.

Josh Wilhelm (6'4 PF / Westerville Central / 2020): Wilhelm has been one of the more productive players in the league, as he has been the anchor for the Lakers thus far. Wilhelm had 20 points in the first game of the day on Sunday, providing hustle, energy and effort for his short handed team. As Westerville Central graduates a ton of production from last year's team, look for Wilhelm to have a chance to crack the rotation. 

Jeremy Wietelman (5'10 PG / Logan Elm / 2021): Logan Elm has a talented young back court between Wietelman and Jason Sailor, as the duo were terrific on Sunday. Helping The Academy go 2-0, Wietelman showed why he was a consistent varsity player as a freshman. Look for this young guard to have a great career, much like 2017 graduate Ridge Young. 

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