I plan on being there Sunday. Several Ohio offers scattered throughout the weekend.

My dad and I typically pick a day and go every year. Typically, we get to see at least one Bobcat commit every year along with a number of kids we have offered. I'm excited to be there Sunday with my Bobcat gear on to represent!

I'll plan to post some thoughts on our Reynoldsburg kids!

Serious question: Is this lazy recruiting? Apparently Jeff Boals is best friends with the Reynoldsburg coach. Do we want our program's ceiling to be determined by the level of talent of a single "local" high school or would we rather pursue elite talent from across the region and nation?

I wouldn't say it's lazy when you put a little context around it. One of the commits is for 2025 and two other 2025 commits are from PA and FL. And we have a ton of offers to guys out there from other schools. Once the whole roster fills out it will just be more of an a-ha moment than anything.

Now, if they turn out to be not so good...

It is not an unfair question. I did not know about the friendship with the coach. I had that concern with Searls (getting a spot based on Dad's relationship with Boals) but he has clearly proven he belongs. Ben Estis & Chase Boals I don't really care about because they are walk-ons.

If I am not mistaken, I believe all 3 were offered by both Akron & Toledo, among others. That brings a lot of validity to their worth. There is a 4th teammate who we also offered (Nwokolo) but chose Toledo. Maybe with some portal madness we can flip him too. 3 from the same school is one thing but 4 is even more bonkers.

I believe none of the three are move-ins, BTC. At least not Fisher (sr.) nor Bowens (Jr.).

Interesting background on Bowens, that I learned the last couple of days: A Newark H.S. administrator and Ohio University alum told me at Tuesday's Newark/Reynoldsburg matchup that Bowens' mom is in her second year as the literacy coordinator for the Newark City Schools. Very highly regarded and sought-after in that role. I'm recently retired as a math teacher in the district. So, while I've heard of her, I've had no interactions with her.

My wife, however, is a title I reading teacher in the district and does have interactions with Mrs. Bowens. I asked what she knows of Mrs. Bowens and she said she is one of the nicest persons in the entire district. When I asked my wife what she's knows of her youngest son, Jorden, she told me that his mom has shown her pictures of him in o$u clothing and that she was told that his dream is to play for o$u. She thought it must be a mistake when I told her that he has committed to The Ohio University. I was very impressed with his play earlier this week and can see him getting some major college interest. Hope we can keep him.

I'm wondering if Fisher will be eligible to play Sunday. He received 2 techs in a recent game and I think the OHSAA rule is that a player must miss the next two games. He didn't play Tuesday v. Newark and I would imagine he'll sit Friday's game, allowing him to play Sunday.

I asked my wife to ask Bowens' mom if her son wouldn't mind joining her in the Newark district for his final year. She said that she did bring that up once but that he enjoys playing for Reynoldsburg.

I tried.

Quick report as I was only able to stay 1st Half. Reynoldsburg led by 2 at half and won by six. Our three had 22, 13, and 13...of 63. Centerville doesn't have quite the talent they've had in the past with two D1 kids (Lemoyne and Air Force). Yet, Cupps is a great coach and they always have kids who play hard, defend, and don't make mistakes. So, a win against them is always a good win.

#2 Bowens: 6'6 or 6'7. Huge Wingspan. Super Bouncy. Did the tip and won it easily. Attempted an alley oop, Had a dunk off a cut and hit a 3. Has a bit of an odd form on his shot but good rotation. Will need to add some weight and work on moves in the post. Yet, very intriguing athlete. Has a frame to add good weight. High upside!

#11 McKinney: 6'4...IMHO...best get from what I saw. Nice leaper and decent handle. Has a really nice jumper game...very high-level. Showed everything from deep 3 to step-back 3 to pull up j. Quick release. Odd rotation...but money. A bit thin and will need to bulk up a bit. Could work on adding to finishing at the rim. Yet, he is a high-level scorer.

#24 Fisher...6'4. Tough to get a good read on him. Had a 3 and posted a smaller guard up for a nice 2. Seemed a bit tired...think he was out last two games? Had some decent hands helping on d, but did seem to get lost in guarding his man and in solid D. Will need to hit weights and could work on finishing at the basket as well as his handle.


All 3..skinny, bit narrow bases..knocked off balance multiple times on drives to rim...weight program will help a lot.

Overall...lots to like. All seem like they have room to grow physically and skill-wise

#1..Toledo Signee...not much to report.

Was also there.

McKinney was a beast. Just what I want out of a ball-dominant lead guard. Pull up Js and threes. Put the ball in his hands when you need a bucket and he'll get you a good look. BUT BUT BUT, took the absolute business end of a fast break poster from a skinny Centerville guard headed to D1 upstart Le Moyne.

Fisher has had some stat sheet stuffers this season, but it wasn't really the case tonight. Still got into double figures. Skinny but 6'6'' minimum. Two hand breakaway jam in the second half where he cocked it all the way back on the run. I'm not sure if I see the ball handling skills to be the second guard, but the length on the wing is intriguing.

Would echo that it was a little hard to get a read on Bowens and would also echo that his frame looks like it could gain another inch or two. Would believe 6'7" right now.

Was not impressed with the Toledo recruit. He has the biggest physique on the team but doesn't have the height to be an effective 4 IMO. Didn't see much of an outside shot and short-armed his first three FT attempts.

I have to say I'm wondering if between Fisher, Bowens, Kelly, Mosley, and even Burris not too far off, if we have a bunch of the same profile player within two classes adjacent to each other.

I noticed a Braylon McKinney on the roster, a freshman brother to possibly keep an eye on too?