COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Conference play is in full swing across the college basketball landscape, as teams of all levels are shortening their benches and gearing up for high-level competition. With more than 200 alums from Central Ohio across all levels, let's take a look at how the area's point guard talent from the 2018 class is faring thus far.

In what was one of the deepest classes in Columbus history, 2018 has not disappointed in its first year on the college circuit. The point guard class in particular has been stellar thus far, with seven guys playing at least 18 minutes per night.

Starting off with Oakland's Braden Norris (Hilliard Bradley), the 6-foot guard has taken full advantage of his opportunity. Norris has been impossible for Oakland to take off the floor recently, as the Bradley alum is shooting insane percentages at every level with 55.4 percent from the field, an unprecedented 58.6 percent from three and 83.3 percent from the line. Norris is averaging 32.7 minutes per game, posting averages of 9.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists. Norris has played at least 36 minutes in Oakland's last 10 games, where he's averaging 11.1 points and 6.1 assists per game.

While Norris was the only point guard in the class to go Division I, the guards at the Division II level have been outstanding thus far.

For Cedarville, Branden Maughmer (Chillicothe) has been hot out of the gate, playing 32.1 points per game and averaging a class-best 15.1 points to go along with 2.6 rebounds and three assists per contest. Maughmer was under-recruited out of high school and has other area programs kicking themselves for not getting on him more heavily.

On a powerhouse of a Lincoln Memorial team, Julius Brown (Westerville North) is making his mark early, as he has played more than 22 minutes per game, averaging nine points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists. Brown's athleticism, quickness and tenacity on the defensive perimeter has helped him earn quality minutes as a freshman, as he has translated that unique ability over to elite D2 hoops. 

These three aren't the only guys receiving big minutes, as we've seen quality production from the following lead guards:

• Datrey Long (Urbana/Beechcroft): 22.3 minutes, 8.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.
• Tre Baumgardner (Minnesota State/Africentric): 7.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
• Chase Rankin (Purdue Northwest/Gahanna): 6.8 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.
• Thomas Hickman (Tiffin/Westerville Central): 5.9 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.

• Dane Goodwin (Notre Dame/Upper Arlington): Goodwin has seen a spike in his playing time recently, where he's logged at least 24 points in the last five games. In that span, Goodwin has in double figures three times, including a season-high 19 points in a win over Jacksonville on Dec. 20. 
• Jelani Simmons (Youngstown State/Beechcroft): Simmons has started four of YSU's last six games, putting up 6.7 points in a little more than 27 minutes per night. The 6-foot-5 Simmons has continued to improve this season, highlighted by a 10-point performance at Ohio State on Dec. 18. 
• Adrian Nelson (Northern Kentucky/Pickerington Central): While not receiving as much playing time as Goodwin or Simmons, Nelson has still made good work of his opportunities, as he had a breakout showing on Dec. 28 against IUPUI. Playing 14 minutes in  a win, Nelson went 3-of-4 from the field and 4-of-4 from the line to finish with a season-high 10 points. The 6-foot-6 Nelson could be due for a breakout season in a year or two, much like former Pickerington Central Tiger Jalen Tate (2016), who had a career-high 25 points two days later in a Norse win over Illinois-Chicago. 

The 2016 class that pumped out a 270 record 12 Division I commits just two and a half years ago, has been led primarily by two players. 

Michigan State's Nick Ward and Ohio's Jason Carter.

The two highly skilled forwards are both leading their respective teams, with Carter in particular putting together what could be a conference player of the year type season.

For the Spartans, Ward is having a career-best season, averaging 16.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game on a highly efficient 65.9 percent from the floor. Ward has been on an absolute tear in the last eight games, posting four games of at least 20 points, including a career-high 28 points and nine rebounds in a win over Green Bay on Dec. 16.

While somewhat unheralded coming out of Johnstown, Carter made an instant impact in the Mid-American Conference. In his redshirt sophomore season after missing most of last year with a foot injury, Carter has come back better than ever.

Averaging 18 points in 29.5 minutes of action, Carter has been Ohio's go-to guy on the offensive end, as the 6-foot-8 forward can fill it up from anywhere on the floor. Carter has terrorized mid-major competition this year, posting a few monster double-doubles including 25 points and 12 rebounds against Marshall in early December.

With the MAC schedule set to begin, look for Carter to continue to put up big numbers, as the Bobcats will need every single ounce of production that Carter can provide them.