#CREI17 Top Ohio Performers
By Kurt Stubbs
Basketball Senior Writer MaxPreps/JJHuddle
Plainfield, IN — The 2017 CrossRoads Elite Invitational concluded this past Sunday inside beautiful Plainfield High School outside of Indianapolis, Indiana. Once again, the field was loaded with top talent from Seattle (WA) to Tampa (FL). Here is a look at the top performers from Ohio.
2017 CrossRoads Elite Invitational Top Ohio Performers
Jackson Ames (6’9/2020)- Batavia
SW Ohio big man had a good camp. We’ve seen him play mainly with his back to the basket, but during camp he showed off his ability to knock down spot up perimeter shots. Still needs to work on conditioning, hands, and impacting the game at the defensive end. Ames is currently trending as a mid-major priority, but has growth in his game that could take him a level higher.
Sammy Anderson (6’1/2020)- Trotwood-Madison
SW Ohio guard that thrives at being relentless. Anderson loves attacking the basket with reckless abandon and has a motor that doesn’t stop. Can be too aggressive at times. He does most of his damage offensively in the lane. Has the ability to really impact the game on defense. Needs to learn how to play in the half court and cut down on turnovers and sure up his shot selection.
Josiah Fulcher (6’1/2020)- Pickerington Central
Central Ohio guard that can score in bunches. Fulcher can really heat up. Thrives off the catch-and-shoot with his quick release. Getting better at scoring off the dribble. Gets a lot of buckets sprinting in transition and scoring at the rim. Fulcher can be streaky at times and needs to improve shot selection. Fulcher has all the tools to be an above average defender. Inches will determine Fulcher’s level. He has the confidence and swag to play at a high level, but we are hoping he gets another inch or two.
Weston Baer (6’0/2020)- Pomeroy Meigs
This was our first time viewing this SE Ohio sniper. Baer really shoots the ball with confidence. Has a chance to be a really good player and score a ton of points at Meigs High School. We look forward to monitoring him over the next three years.
Grant Whisman (6’5/2020)- Middletown Madison
This SW Ohio prospect was a name that popped up amongst many scouts this past weekend. ESPN’s Paul Biancardi loved the potential of Whisman. Led the Southwestern Buckeye League in scoring as a freshman at just over 18 points a game. Can really shoot the basketball and has a very good feel for the game. Battled for rebounds. Needs to get stronger and work on getting by defenders off the dribble. Whisman has a chance to be mid-major plus recruit or better. It all depends on his development in growth areas.
Maxwell Land (6’3/2020)- Cincinnati Moeller
The son of former Cincinnati Bearcat, Eugene Land, has a totally different game than his father. Land has good vision and smoothly moves about the court. The lefty can really score the ball at the rim with excellent body control and strength. Didn’t take many shots from the perimeter, so that’s something we will have to see more of moving forward. His game came a little unglued in the tournament, trying to do things above his pay grade. When Land is playing with poise and within himself, he is very good.
Dominiq Penn (5’11/2020)- Dublin Coffman
Really enjoyed a big weekend at the #CREI17. Penn drew rave reviews from onlookers and teammates. The one thing we knew coming into Friday was Penn could really shoot the basketball, has solid quickness and shiftiness to his game, and his father (Scoonie) played at Boston College and Ohio State. Penn proved, over the weekend, he can really pass the ball and has a good feel for the game. His teammates loved playing with him, which is always a positive. Penn is tracking as a solid mid-major guard, but with some added inches, he could move up the charts.
John Hughley (6’8/2020)- Lyndhurst Brush
The NE Ohio big man struggled a bit over the weekend, but it’s clear to see the talent and size are there. It just depends on how much Big John wants it. When he focuses on dominating the paint and doing what he does best, Big John can be a force. Too often he lingers on the perimeter, which has to be a blessing for opposing defenses. He needs work on his conditioning, effort, and engagement throughout the game. Hughley has a good feel inside with terrific hands, and if he is engaged, the big fella really can control the paint.
EJ Farmer (6’2/2021)- Lutheran East
The defending state champs will love this kid. It’s very early, but Farmer has to be on the short list of top kids in Ohio’s Class of 2021. The lefty has plenty of room for growth in body and his game. He scored the ball really well and knock down some shots. With his length, he has a chance to be a really good defender as well. Farmer is yet to play a high school game, so there are numerous things he can work on, but shot selection would be at the top of the list.
VonCameron Davis (6’4/2020)- Walnut Ridge
The Central Ohio rising sophomore proved his game isn’t just state good, but he can also compete on a national level. Davis is a mid-range nightmare for opponents. He is undersized, but with his effort and motor, Davis overcomes many size issues. The kid just knows how to play and makes teams better.
Garner Wallace (6’3/2021)- Pickerington Central
Plenty of onlookers asked about Wallace over the weekend. It doesn’t take long to notice the gangly, wild-haired, and energetic Wallace. He can impact the game in a variety of ways and appears to have the winners gene. Wallace was an integral part of his team’s championship at the #CREI17. He did a little bit of everything and his unorthodox style produces results. He has a relentless motor. Wallace’s game needs some refinement, but he has plenty of time to work on it. He carries a 4.3 GPA and ran a 4:37 mile as an 8th graders. His sister is committed to play basketball at Penn State, so the genetics are there.
CROSSROADS ELITE INVITATIONAL 