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10 players to watch in 2023-24 Stark County-area high school boys basketball

josh weir, canton repository
·4 min read

Ohio's 2023-24 boys high school basketball season is underway and there are plenty of standout players in the Stark County area.

For the sake of brevity, let's look at 10 of the top hoopers to keep an eye on in the Greater Canton region this year.

Malvern's J'Allen Barrino drives to the basket as Garaway's Brady Roden defends during the Division III district final March 3 in New Philadelphia.
Malvern's J'Allen Barrino drives to the basket as Garaway's Brady Roden defends during the Division III district final March 3 in New Philadelphia.

J'Allen Barrino, Malvern, senior

A slashing guard who is going to get to the rim one way or another, and finish when he gets there. Shot an area-best 68.2 percent from the floor last year in leading 24-2 Malvern to an IVC North championship and a district runner-up finish. Averaged 16.5 points, 5.3 assists, 4.5 steals and 4.0 rebounds en route to second team All-Ohio in Division III and player-of-year honors for the IVC North, District 5 Coaches and Eastern District.

Green's Brady Rollyson, left, and Nikola Bundalo defend Lake's Chance Casenhiser in the first half at Green, Friday, January 27, 2023.
Green's Brady Rollyson, left, and Nikola Bundalo defend Lake's Chance Casenhiser in the first half at Green, Friday, January 27, 2023.

Chance Casenhiser, Lake, senior

The electrifying Casenhiser definitely is a player to watch, but fans will have to wait a while to see him on the court. Casenhiser is battling a foot injury that will keep him out through the holidays at least. Averaged a Stark County-best 23.2 points last season, and scored a school-record 45 points in a January win vs. Perry. Shot 48.4 percent from the floor and 78.5 percent from the foul line. Averaged 3.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals. Was named third team All-Ohio in Division I.

Louisville's Brayden Gross (left) throws down a dunk against Ellet during a boys high school basketball game at Louisville on Saturday, January 21, 2023.
Louisville's Brayden Gross (left) throws down a dunk against Ellet during a boys high school basketball game at Louisville on Saturday, January 21, 2023.

Brayden Gross, Louisville, junior

Talented big man could be a breakout star for the Leopards entering his third year on varsity. Averaged 11.5 points and 8.3 rebounds last year. Shot 60.7% from the floor and blocked 42 shots. Will be much more of a focal point for Leps this season with Louisville career scoring leader Will Aljancic graduated. The 6-6 Gross has the ability to play on the wing as well. Holds an offer from Walsh University and has D1 programs watching.

Alliance's J.R. Jackson, center, puts up a shot between Marlington defenders including Sam Yoder, right, Friday, Feb. 3, 2023.
Alliance's J.R. Jackson, center, puts up a shot between Marlington defenders including Sam Yoder, right, Friday, Feb. 3, 2023.

JR Jackson, Alliance, sophomore

Did not play like a freshman last year in helping Aviators to a share of the EBC championship. Quick, competitive point guard averaged 13.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists. Shot 83.8% from the foul line. Will provide spark for new head coach Chet Harper's squad.

Julius Kimbrough, seen here playing for St. Thomas Aquinas against Mogadore last season, has transferred to Canton South.
Julius Kimbrough, seen here playing for St. Thomas Aquinas against Mogadore last season, has transferred to Canton South.

Julius Kimbrough, Canton South, senior

Transfer from St. Thomas Aquinas. Versatile 6-5 athlete can do a lot of things on the basketball court. Averaged team highs of 13.7 points and 5.6 rebounds last year in leading Aquinas to 16 wins. Shot 47.0% from the floor. Two-time Repository All-Stark County first team selection who helped Knights to two straight Portage Trail Conference titles and a 2022 district championship.

GlenOak's Ja'Corey Lipkins goes to the hoop with pressure from Green's Jarrett Taylor in the first half at GlenOak Friday, Feb. 10, 2023.
GlenOak's Ja'Corey Lipkins goes to the hoop with pressure from Green's Jarrett Taylor in the first half at GlenOak Friday, Feb. 10, 2023.

Ja'Corey Lipkins, GlenOak, senior

Lefty guard can score in a lot of ways. Averaged a team-high 14.7 points and shot 78.7% from the foul line last year in leading GlenOak to 18 wins and the brink of a Federal League title. Added 4.2 rebounds per game. Two-time Repository All-Stark County first team selection.

Jackson's Kyle Monterrubio drives against Stow's Tyler Fleishour in a Division I district final at Alliance High School, Saturday, March 4, 2023.
Jackson's Kyle Monterrubio drives against Stow's Tyler Fleishour in a Division I district final at Alliance High School, Saturday, March 4, 2023.

Kyle Monterrubio, Jackson, junior

Multi-talented wing player steps up into a leading role for Jackson after the graduation of Federal League Player of the Year Owen Woolbert. Averaged 12.5 points on 55.4% shooting from the floor and 42.6% from the 3-point line in helping Polar Bears to a share of the league championship and a district runner-up finish last year. Added 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

Louisville's Hayden Nigro is tied up by Massillon defenders Jadyce Thigpen, left, and Chris Knight in the first half, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023.
Louisville's Hayden Nigro is tied up by Massillon defenders Jadyce Thigpen, left, and Chris Knight in the first half, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023.

Hayden Nigro, Louisville, senior

Veteran guard in his fourth year on varsity, Nigro has helped Louisville win 53 games the last three seasons. Has 922 career points after scoring 28 in season-opening win at South Range. One of best drivers to the basket in the area. The 6-4 lefty averaged 15.0 points, shot 50.4% from the floor and attempted 140 free throws (making 72.1%) last year. Scored a career-high 41 points in a January game vs. Alliance, setting a school record with 19 made free throws. Added 3.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Two-time Repository All-Stark County first team selection.

Green’s Brady Rollyson goes up between Walsh Jesuit’s Sean Spicer (21) and Keith Rivers on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, at Hoover High School.
Green’s Brady Rollyson goes up between Walsh Jesuit’s Sean Spicer (21) and Keith Rivers on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, at Hoover High School.

Brady Rollyson, Green, senior

This Ohio State baseball recruit can play a little basketball, too. A physical 6-4 forward and four-year varsity performer, Rollyson averaged team highs of 15.7 points and 8.0 rebounds in leading Green to a share of last year's Federal League title. Also has the skill to score on all three levels. At 821 career points after scoring 26 in a season-opening-win against Nordonia.

Green's Jarrett Taylor dunks against Nordonia during their game at Nordonia High School on Friday. Nordonia beat Green 49-34.
Green's Jarrett Taylor dunks against Nordonia during their game at Nordonia High School on Friday. Nordonia beat Green 49-34.

Jarrett Taylor, Green, senior

From playing point guard to defending the rim, the 6-6 Taylor was a jack-of-all-trades for Green last year. This season, with junior guard Antonio Martin back after missing all of last season with a knee injury, Taylor should be freed up to play more on the wing and around the basketball offensively. Averaged 9.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.9 steals in helping Bulldogs to a share of last year's Federal League title.

Reach Josh at josh.weir@cantonrep.com

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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Ohio boys high school basketball: 10 players to watch in Stark area