Flyin' to the Hoop Live Blog

Kettering, Ohio – This is the 20th year of the Flyin’ to the Hoop Invitational. The elite high school showcase event has become a staple to come scout basketball talent during Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend.

This year’s event is no different, with a long line of top 150 ranked players, along with numerous nationally ranked teams and defending state champions.

On3s Jamie Shaw is on-site at Flyin’ to the Hoop and will be providing live updates throughout the weekend.

College coaches spotted: Rutgers, Michigan, Virginia Tech, Xavier, Dayton, Cincinnati, Duquesne, Kent State

Darryn Peterson vs. Dailyn Swain

While basketball is a team sport, you cannot help but get excited about high-level individual matchups. Dailyn Swain, a Xavier signee, is the No. 62 ranked player in the 2023 On3 150, while Darryn Peterson is the 2025 On3 Consensus No. 6 ranked player.

The exciting part o this matchup is that the two players are positionally similar, and they guarded each other. Both players spent the first half feeling the game out. Neither was aggressive in scoring, but both played well.

The second half was a different story; both players started hunting their own shots. Darryn Peterson showed advanced feel in the mid-range. His footwork, as well as his patience to find his shot, was impressive.

Sawin’s ability to impact a game in multiple ways is where his intrigue lies. At his size, he is an excellent rebounder and might be at his best running a team or at least playing with some playmaking responsibilities.

Darryn Peterson – 21 points and 6 rebounds
Dailyn Swain – 18 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists

5-foot-11 junior Laron Fuller from Africentric finished with 17 points. 6-foot-6 senior Preston Steele had 15.

Final Score: Columbus (OH) Africentric 64, Cuyahoga Falls (OH) CVCA 55

So Cal Academy and Western Reserve battle in a chess match

From the onset, Hudson (OH) Western Reserve vs. Los Angeles (CA) So Cal Academy was a chess match. Both teams are loaded with D-I players, and both teams took their time to get into their stuff while taking baskets tough to come by for the opposition.

The most interesting player on the floor was 6-foot-3 senior Carmelo Adkins for Western Reserve. He carries a lone offer from Bryant, which was surprising given his tools and skill set. The most notable aspect of his game is the jump shot; it is confident and with great balance. He finished with a game-high 23 points.

For So Cal Academy, Garwey Dual was a paint-touch menace. The 6-foot-5 point guard used a variety of hesitation dribbles and counters to live in the paint and make plays. The is committed, not signed, to Providence right now. Top 100 ranked junior Jahseem Felton made shots for SoCal Academy as well; he has a sturdy frame and repeatable shooting stroke.

Carmelo Adkins – 23 points, 7 rebounds, 8-14 FG
Garwey Dual – 14 points, 6 rebounds, 2-3 3P

Junior Damarius Owens finished with 14 and 7 for Western Reserve. Junior Jahseem Felton had 16 points for So Cal Academy.

Final score: Los Angeles (CA) So Cal Academy, Hudson (OH) Western Reserve

Silas Demary, Jr. is too much for Lutheran East (OH)

Celveland Heights (OH) Lutheran East is the No. 1 ranked team in Ohio Division III. Lincolnton (NC) Combine Academy isranked among the top 25 teams in the country. Suffice to say, there was a lot of talent on the floor.

This was my first viewing this high school season of 6-foot-9 2024 four-star Jesse McCullough. The Lutheran East power forward was impressive in all facets. He showed the shooting range, and touch immediately, knocking down three thress in the first half. He also showed to be a good team defender, understanding rotations and not playing out of control. His development seems to be coming along nicely.

Southern Cal signee, 2023 four-star Silas Demary, Jr. continued his strong senior campaign. The 6-foot-5 point guard simply makes plays, on both ends of the floor, he finisscores, distributes, and really defends. Richmond signee Collin Tanner is a model for consistency. The 6-foot-7 forward rebounds well and knocks down shots at all levels. He had 19 points and 9 rebounds, going 2-for-3 from beyond the arc.

For Lutheran East, watch for how 6-foot-8 freshman TJ Crumble develops. Length and explosion. He finished with 10 points and 6 rebounds here.

Silas Demary, Jr. – 17 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 7-11 FG.
Jesse McCullough – 16 points, 4-6 3P.

Final Score: Lincolnton (NC) Combine Academy 61, Cleveland Heights (OH) Lutheran East 49

Point guard matchup lives up to the billing

The night cap of the evening had Atlanta (GA) Pace Academy face off with Dayton (OH) Chaminade-Julienne. Michigan signee George Washington, III came out the gates hot. The Chaminade-Julienne guard showcased his bucket getting skills, getting to his spots off the bounce and knocking down jumper after jumper.

It was and interesting individual matchup as Pace is led by 2024 four-star point guard Kyle Greene, Jr. Greene showcased deft shooting touch with an understanding of pace and how to get to his spots at each level.

6-4 junior BB Washington made shots in an impressive manner for Chaminade-Julienne, finishing with 21 points. Sophomore PG Eric Chatfield used his quickness and confidence to get to 16 points on 6-of-10 from the field.

Kyle Greene, Jr. – 25 points and 3 assists on 9-17 FG
George Washington, III – 26 points on 3-10 3P

Final score: Atlanta (GA) Pace Academy 62, Dayton (OH) Chaminade-Julienne 55