In order to provide exposure, and to serve as a source of information for players, coaches and parents, this season, we tracked teams and players in the 3rd grade division of the Central Ohio Basketball Association (COBA). In addition to the team rankings that we developed and updated from week to week, we also wanted to identify the standout players on each of the D-I teams.
Below we have highlighted the top players we saw over the course of the season in the form of four “All-COBA Teams.” In most cases, we were able to watch and evaluate players on multiple occasions. For the most part, the players are listed in the order of performance, Simply put, the players on the “First Team” represent the top 5 players in the league. The MVP decision was very close between Gahanna’s Derrick Perryman and Olentangy Blue’s Jack Shaker. Ultimately, we decided to award Co-MVP, as both players proved to be integral to their team’s success, and they both clearly separated themselves from the rest of the players in the league!
In general, the top teams had multiple standout performers; consequently, they placed more players on the various All-COBA Teams. We did our best to be as inclusive as possible, and in some cases, we consulted with the respective coaches and used their input in the final list. We hope this list serves as motivation for players to continue to work hard on their games. Congratulations to all of the players who made the list; it will be interesting to follow the development of these kids over the next several years!
First Team
Derrick Perryman-Co-MVP
Gahanna Lions
Jack Shaker-Co-MVP
Olentangy Blue
Elliott Trautner
New Albany
Chris Blalock
Pickerington
Robert Sumner
Worthington Red
Second Team
Noland Moore
Reynoldsburg
John Sumner
Worthington Red
Kyle Darfus
Lancaster
Beckett Kistner
New Albany
Third Team
Jordan Davies
Olentangy Blue
Ryan Parsons
Pickerington
Malachi Hartings
Worthington Christian
Cael Turk
Olentangy Berlin Blue
Fourth Team
James Upshaw II
Gahanna Lions
Declan McGary
Olentangy Berlin White
Logan Green
Pickerington
Uriah Hill
Olentangy Orange
Ryder Hill
Olentangy Liberty
Honorable Mention
| Name | Team |
|---|---|
| Tony Jones Jr. | Reynoldsburg Raiders |
| Graham Ridgeway | Upper Arlington Black |
| Kaiden Graves | Reynoldsburg Raiders |
| Conner Corcoran | Worthington Red |
| Xavion Weber | Newark Wildcats |
| Beck Old | Upper Arlington Black |
| Chris Pace | Newark Wildcats |
| Lucca Pentello | Big Walnut |
| Mason Latviska | Big Walnut |
| Evan Yekisa | Gahanna Lions |
| Cooper Theobald | Olentangy Orange |
| Parker Green | Olentangy Liberty |
