KETTERING, Ohio -- The Flyin' to the Hoop Classic is one of the best high school basketball events in the country. The event is held at airmont High School just outside of Dayton and features some of the best teams in the country versus many of Ohio's best. This is the 9th annual extravaganza for event organizer Eric Horstman and this year's event lived up to the excellence of previous years.
Here's a look a the players who stood out in the crowd.
PF/SF Anthony Davis (Chicago/Perspectives Charter)
Davis is the best prospect in the country. He is very skilled for his size and somewhat of a cross between Kevin Durant and Kevin Garnett. Davis had 32 points and 18 rebounds in a loss to Dayton Meadowdale. He is a solid ball handler, a good shooter with range to 20 feet and has an excellent basketball IQ. If there were an NBA draft of high school players he would go No. 1.
SF Jabari Parker (Chicago/Simeon)
Jabari is a multi-skilled player and a dynamic talent. His first play versus Dayton Dunbar was a fan dribble and step-back 3-pointer from 22 feet. He proceeded to dominate the game after that. Parker plays very hard and he simply outworks most of the other players on the court. He can do everything on the floor. He will be a very special talent as he continues to develop.
SG Gary Harris (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern)
Harris is a strong and athletic wing. He body is more like an NFL strong safety than a high school shooting guard. He is an improving shooter with range to 20 feet. Harris had one of the best dunks of the season in his game versus Cincinnati Taft, and his strength and athletic ability make him a monster in transition.
SG Aaron Thomas (Cincinnati, Ohio/Withrow)
Thomas is a scorer. He can score off the bounce and when catching and shooting on the wing. Thomas has excellent length and is a good athlete. He threw in 24 in a losing effort versus Huntington Prep. He should be able to step in and help immediately next year at Florida State. His ability to put the ball in the basket is a valuable asset.
PG Travis Trice (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne)
Travis is a big-time shooter. He dropped 30 in his team's victory over Chicago Whitney Young. He has a quick trigger on his jumper and has range to the parking lot. Trice is a solid point guard. He is the son of a coach and has an excellent basketball IQ. Travis should have a more-than-solid career at Michigan State starting next season.
Notebook
• Here's how the Flyin' to the Hoop All-Tournament teams broke down:
First team
Anthony Davis
Jabari Parker
Aaron Thomas
Travis Trice
PG Charles Lee (Milwaukee, Wis./Huntington (WV) Prep)
SG Traevon Jackson (Westerville, Ohio/South)
Second Team
Gary Harris
PF/C Tony Parker (Lithonia, GA./ Miller Grove)
SG/PG DaVonte Beard (Akron, Ohio/St. Vincent-St. Mary)Gary Harris
SG/SF Sam Thompson (Chicago/Whitney Young)
SG Jordan Taylor (Dayton, Ohio/Northmont)
SF Richard Weaver (Dayton,Ohio/Meadowdale)
• A few of the athletes at the tournament could have the opportunity to choose between Division I basketball and FBS football. PF/C Taylor Decker (Vandalia,Ohio/Butler), PF Adolphus Washington (Cincinnati, Ohio/Taft) and ary Harris are all excellent basketball players that are also being recruited to play at the highest level of college football. Decker is a top-flight offensive tackle said to be leaning towards Notre Dame (for football). Washington is a defensive stud that could play LB, DE or TE. Harris is a DB/WR prospect whose athletic ability is top-notch.
• In an event with so much talent, there were plenty of up-and-coming stars in action. Some of the best freshmen at the event were PG Tyonte Robertson (Cincinnati, Ohio/Aiken), PF Victor Dorsey (Akron, Ohio/St. Vincent-St. Mary), SG Xavier Rathan-Mayes (Creedmoor, North Carolina/Christian Faith), SG Juan Ford (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne) and C/PF Jahlil Okafor (Chicago/Whitney Young).
• Lakota East (West Chester, Ohio) played some of the best defense I've seen this year in an 81-59 win over Huntsville (Ala.) Lee, which had difficulty getting the ball past half-court versus Lakota's trap. East had 10 steals at halftime and finished the game with 16. Defense like that will win you a lot of games.
John Stovall, a recruiting coordinator, has worked as director of scouting for Prep Spotlight Scouting Service and magazine for 15 years.