Bearcat Classic: Top Ohio Performers
Written by Tony Peters
Top Performers
Tyson Manz | 2028 | 6’6 C | Paulding (OH) | NW Ohio Basketball Club
One of the perks of watching 15U basketball is catching new names for the first time. NW Ohio Basketball Club features some high IQ players and Manz was one of the ones that stood out. Towering over his fellow teammates, Manz is a true rim running center. Soft touch around the rim and excels with positioning for dump passes off drives. Showed willingness to compete in pick-and-roll situations but I’d like to see him commit more to rolling off the screen. Manz also will need to continue to add to his frame as he struggled rebounding the ball against some smaller competition. Fortunately for him, Manz already has intriguing size and if he adds more and fills out his frame more, he’s going to be prospect to monitor up in Northwest Ohio.
Jackson Kirura | 2027 | 6’4 SF | Genoa Christian (OH) | Midwest Pumas 3SGB
Kirura was a name I’ve heard before but Saturday served as my first in-person look at the 6’4 wing. He did not disappoint with a solid shooting performance in group play. Kirura has great mechanics with his shot form, gets his feet set and can score in catch-and-shoot situations as well as spot up. He impressed me specifically coming off a curl screen and getting his shot in one smooth motion on the move and fading away. Kirura shows confidence with the ball in his hands and is comfortable being the guy needed to get a bucket. I would like to see his decision making improve in terms of when to make an extra pass and when to take a shot. Still a solid prospect for a program looking for a lengthier wing.
DeCarlo Prince | 2026 | 6’4 SF | St. Vincent-St. Mary (OH) | The Island 3SGB
I could have selected one of three guys from The Island after their run Saturday. Prince and Rayshawn Hamilton both impressed but I gave the nod to Prince due to his scoring output. Prince unofficially had four 3’s when I watched him against Queen City Prophets. He was catching and shooting from the college range and was making them with ease. Demonstrated a solid understanding of when to pull the shot and when to pump and drive. Demonstrated his athleticism with The Island’s full court pressure and showed he could defend athletic and quick guards. Prince has some offers from MAC schools for basketball and could transition into more of a SG role vs SF at the next level.
Jeremiah Russell | 2026 | 6’1 CG | Delaware Hayes (OH) | Midwest Pumas 3SGB
Rusell rounds out my Ohio performers after a solid performance in group play. While I only caught a half of his game, Russell very quickly showed me why he’s one of the better combo guards in the state.He is a true definition of a combo because he excels in both roles. Can be the primary ball handler and start an offense and get into a flow. Dictates pace and can play in either a half-court setting or up tempo. With plenty of guards around him that can shoot, Russell is an assist-guru getting guys involved in flow. Russell can also be a knockdown shot maker with specifically impressing me as a catch-and-shoot guy. With Midwest, Russell is going to have a chance to be one of the better guards on the 3-Stripes Gold Circuit. But this is also a preview of what he can do for Delaware Hayes next season with a likely bigger role needed.