Eighth-grader will have to wait to woo Flyin’ crowd,
Canadian Elijah Fisher suffered hip injury, didn’t play.
Unlikely Elijah Fisher of Crestwood Prep (Ont.) was a shooting star who didn’t make his mark at the 17th annual Premier Health Flyin’ to the Hoop this weekend.
Hobbled by a lingering hip injury, the 6-foot-5 high-flier was held out of Friday’s 61-55 loss to host Fairmont High School in the Flyin’ opener. That was key, because Fisher was the player most responsible for making the Toronto-based program a desirable Flyin’ participant.
You likely haven’t heard of Fisher and there’s another good reason for that: He’s an eighth-grader “considered the best middle school player in the world,” touted his Flyin’ program bio.
“This is really disappointing,” said Fisher, the son of Jamaican parents. “I felt like I could have a big impact in the game.”
That’s what at least five “high-level Division I programs,” are counting on, said Crestwood assistant Nick Krenk after head coach Ro Russell hastily returned to Toronto to tend to his ailing wife. “It’s crazy how early (recruiting) starts now.”
Krenk said Fisher has starred at all the high-end summer camps the coaching staff has taken him to. Most of those participants are established high school standouts. As for best in the world?
“I haven’t seen all of them, but I’d take him over anybody in that age group,” assured Krenk.
Fisher has two younger brothers who show just as much promise. For now, Fisher will have four more years of Canadian high school eligibility, although he’s likely leave early for college ball.
“It’s been great to play this kind of competition and work on my skill level,” he said. “There’s no pressure. My coaching staff just tells me to go out and have fun, and if I do anything wrong, it’s on them.”
■ Before Saturday at Flyin,’ Xenia star Samari Curtis had never made a shot from beyond half court. But as he dribbled toward the center line, with the clock running out at the end of the first half, he wasn’t thinking about making the shot.
“I tried to draw the foul, thought he was going to come and hit me,” Curtis said.
Instead, the First Love
Christian player let Curtis double-pump and – appropriately enough – fly toward the hoop from about 55 feet. When Curtis landed three feet shy of half court the shot went in at the buzzer.
“I’ve seen that kid do some amazing stuff – sometimes you take it for granted,” Xenia coach Kent Anderson said. “But just to sit back and watch all the different ways he can score and then there’s another one.”
Curtis, a 6-foot-4 senior guard who has signed to play at Cincinnati, averages 32.5 points a game for Xenia (7-6) and scored 44 points Saturday in the Buccaneers’ 89-80 loss to First Love of Washington, Pa. Curtis has scored at least 41 points in his past three games. He made 13 of 29 shots, including five 3-pointers and was 13-of-20 at the free-throw line.
“He’s relentless,” First Love coach Khayree Wilson said. “When his shot’s not falling he’s still shooting, he’s going to the line, he’s getting calls. He is going to be a great Cincinnati basketball player.”
Curtis also had eight rebounds and five assists.
“I was proud that no one was scared and everyone was playing with heart,” Curtis said. “I just let them know they’re not as good as you think they are. I mean they’re good, but there’s not going to be a LeBron on the team.”
■ Saturday’s games were adjusted, initially due to Olentangy Liberty and Hilliard Bradley high schools both bowing out due to expected worsening weather. On Saturday morning, the Day 2 scheduled girls opener of top-ranked Carroll (15-0) vs. defending state champ Minster (14-1) was canceled.
It was the second straight year Olentangy Liberty and Hilliard Bradley opted not to attend after the event started. The Minster girls were not allowed to travel because of weather concerns. As of Saturday afternoon the Minster boys were still good to play Convoy Crestview at 3 p.m. today.
Centerville (7-5), which had been scheduled to play in Saturday’s Flyin’ Game 5 at 3 p.m., was bumped to Game 6 against Oak Ridge (Fla.). Oak Ridge originally was to play Bradley.
Lebanon was secured to take Lyndhurst Brush’s spot against Cincinnati Winton Woods at 4:45 p.m. today.
■ The over-under on the family Ball sightings for Monday is two. Already scheduled is LaMelo Ball, a prized 6-6 recruit with Spire Academy of Geneva, Ohio. A maybe is patriarch LaVar Ball, who has orchestrated the successful reality show “Ball in the Family” on Facebook.
According to USA Today and Sports Illustrated reports, LaVar Ball is behind recent asking fees of $10,000 for Spire to play in events such as Flyin’ and $3,500 to shoot video of LaMelo playing.
Flyin’ founder Eric Horstman was adamant Spire would not be given a bonus to make its second straight Flyin’ appearance. Spire is matched against Prolific Prep (Calif.) in the second game Monday at 1:15 p.m.
■ There was a low turnout of college coaches who signed in on Saturday. That’s normal; most collegiate teams play that day. Among the collegiate coaches at Flyin’ were reps from Clemson, Ohio U., Valparaiso and Capital.
Fairmont 61, Crestwood Prep (Ont.) 55: Kellan Bochenek hit consecutive 3-pointers and a free throw as Fairmont mounted a 10-2 game-ending run to win Friday’s opener. Teammate Ryan Hall had 28 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals as Fairmont won its second straight and improved to 11-4. Bochenek was good for 21 points, four rebounds and two assists.
IMG Academy (Fa.) 83, Huntington Prep (W.Va.) 75: Jaden Springer hit all 12 free throws and scored a game-high 27 points in leading IMG to Friday’s second-game win. IMG is scheduled to play Oak Hill Academy (Va.) in the HoopHall Classic at Springfield, Mass., today. The game will be nationally televised at 7:30 p.m. on ESPNU.
Crestwood Prep (Ont.) 75, Cin. Dohn Prep 61: This Saturday game was switched from Cincinnati to Flyin’ following the cancellation of Carroll/Minster girls. Wake Forest signee Jahcobi Neath led Crestwood with 21 points. Dohn, a small private school that has sought a Flyin’ spot for years, was led by Dominic Brewton’s 27 points and 10 rebounds.
■ Stivers is first up today, playing unbeaten Cincinnati Taft at 11:30 a.m. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. Taft (100) is top ranked in the state in Division II.