The high school basketball season is in full swing and it's no secret the Cincinnati area is home to some of the best hoops in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.
Who better to know what kind of talent Cincinnati offers than the players themselves?
The Cincinnati Enquirer sought opinions from players across multiple conferences on opponents who were impressive on the court this season.
Check cincinnati.com each Friday to see which boys and girls basketball players left an impression on their opponents this year.
Want to give an opponent a shout-out for his or her stellar play this season? Contact Shelby Dermer at [email protected] or on Twitter @EnquirerShelby.
More:Elder, Woodward, Taft all make Top 10 appearances in first state basketball poll
Sean Keller, Elder
"A top player I’ve played this season is Sean Keller from Elder. (He) handles the ball very well and always finds his teammates. (He's) very hard to guard because if you step up on him, he’ll go around you and if you sag off, he’ll make a three. Reminds me a lot of how John Stockton played."
— Ethan Malafa, Mariemont
Keller has been crucial for Elder, which sits at 10-2 overall and in first place in the GCL-South. The senior guard ranks third in the conference in scoring (16.3 points per game) and assists (3.1 per game). Keller is shooting nearly 50% from downtown (44-for-91) and has put up 20-plus points in three consecutive games.
Tyler Haynes, McNicholas
"One guy I have a lot of respect for is Tyler Haynes of McNick. He’s a tough kid who does a lot for his team. He can really shoot it from anywhere and makes plays for his teammates."
— Colin McHale, Turpin
Haynes is the leading scorer for the Rockets at 10.3 points per game to go with 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals. Haynes had a season-high 19 points in McNicholas' season-opening 48-36 win over Badin.
Nathan Dudukovich, Lakota West
"The player who was the most difficult to guard this year so far has been Nate Dudukovich from Lakota West. He has a really solid game and what makes it so hard to guard him is that he never stops moving on offense and he is such a good shooter. When his teammates are setting screens, it is not easy having to get through all of them and take away his jump shot."
— Ben Southerland, Sycamore
It's no secret Dudukovich has been a weapon on offense for the Firebirds as the junior sharp-shooter leads the Greater Miami Conference in scoring (28 points per game) by a wide margin. Dudukovich is shooting 35.7% from beyond the arc and scored 51 points in a Holiday Tournament win over North Raleigh.
Keenan Schomburger, Summit Country Day
"Keenan Schomburger can score the rock and use his size. He's not the quickest or the biggest, but he is just right to get his team in good position. He can also rebound. He does it all."
— Andre Simmons, Purcell Marian
Schomburger is the leading scorer for a Summit Country Day club that sits in first place in the Miami Valley Conference Scarlet division at 7-2. The junior is averaging 16 points and 5.7 rebounds per game and is fourth in the conference in field goal percentage (58.8).
Max Poynter, Walnut Hills
"I've been facing Max since seventh grade and whenever he's on the court, he's been their main facilitator. There's a reason why he's had a winning record every season since seventh grade."
—J.D. Moss, Kings
Everything has clicked for Walnut Hills this season as the Eagles are 11-1 and will battle Turpin for first place in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference Friday night. Poynter ranks tied for fourth in the league in assists (3.4) to go with 9.2 points per game. Poynter had 16 points in a season-opening loss to Moeller and scored 17 in back-to-back December contests against Milford and Winton Woods.
Nate Kratzer, Georgetown
"One of the top players I have played against this season has been Nate Kratzer from Georgetown. Nate is a skilled big guy that can shoot like a guard. He plays well on both ends of the court. He is very athletic and a smart basketball player. He plays great team basketball, as well."
— Carson Crozier, Felicity-Franklin
Georgetown is trying to repeat as champions of the Southern Buckeye Conference National division and Kratzer has them in prime position to do just that. The senior forward is second in the SBAAC in scoring (19.8 points) and is fourth in rebounds (8.8).
Source link
