Ohio’s top high school boys basketball players: Meet the state’s best shooting guards

Who are the top shooting guards in Ohio high school boys basketball this season?

By Ryan Isley

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be taking a position-by-position look at some of the top players in Ohio high school boys basketball.

Our first list focuses on the shooting guards.

There are hundreds of standout boys basketball players in Ohio, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive! Use the comments section to discuss the other shooting guards worthy of fans’ attention in 2021-22.

Pictured above is St. Vincent-St. Mary's Ramar Pryor (photo by Jeff Harwell).

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Logan Beaston, Tiffin Columbian, junior, 6’4”

A combo guard with great shooting and passing ability with a high basketball IQ. He averaged 15.1 points per game last season and shot 35.9% from 3. He was named special mention All-Ohio as a sophomore.

Kyler D’Augustino, Albany Alexander, junior, 5’11

An offensive threat whether shooting or driving to the basket, he was named third-team All-Ohio as a sophomore when he averaged 24 points per game. Ready to build off a great sophomore campaign, he began this season with a 38-point performance with 13 rebounds in Alexander’s season-opening win over Belpre.

Nathan Dudukovich, Lakota West, junior, 6’3”

A pure shooter, he averaged 19.8 points per game as a sophomore and led the conference in scoring. After getting time on the varsity squad as a freshman, he made his presence known as a sophomore, garnering honorable mention All-Ohio. He started this season with 32 points against Franklin.

Jonathan Effertz, St. Ignatius, senior, 6’0”

A big-time shooter, Effertz can play both guard spots. He made 51% of his attempts from 3 last season and averaged 17 points per game. A leader on the floor who can get the team set in their offensive or defensive sets, he carries a 3.9 GPA.

Bowen Hardman, Princeton, senior, 6’5”

An Ohio State signee, he averaged 15.1 points per game last season and hit 37% of his 3-point attempts in 14 games. In those 14 games, he made five or more 3s five times. He was an honorable mention All-Ohio selection last year in Division I.

Sencire Harris, St. Vincent-St. Mary, Senior, 6’4”

An Illinois commit, Harris is a combo guard who averaged 14 points, five rebounds, and two steals per game last season. He was a second-team All-Ohio selection last season playing alongside Malaki Branham, who was named Ohio’s Mr. Basketball. Coach Dru Joyce calls Harris “the best player in the state.” He can score at all three levels and is very hard to defend. 

C.J. Hornbeak, Toledo St. John’s, junior, 6’1”

An honorable mention All-Ohio selection as a sophomore last season, he averaged 15.4 points per game and will wind up being a four-year varsity starter. He can score inside and outside. He plays with a high-level basketball IQ and can really defend. 

Photo by Ben Jackson

Tom House, Centerville, senior, 6’5”

Averaged 17.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game last season while garnering honorable mention All-Ohio honors. He shot 40% from 3. He is ultra-competitive and never afraid of the moment.

Elmore James IV, Brush, senior, 6’3”

A first-team All-Ohio selection a year ago, James was one of the most prolific scorers in the state with 29.8 points. He also grabbed 5.6 rebounds per game and dished out 3.1 assists. He has committed to play at Ohio University.

Chico Johnson, Toledo Central Catholic, junior, 6’3”

Averaged 15.5 points per gamer last season as a sophomore and earned honorable mention All-Ohio honors. He led Central Catholic to the team’s first district championship since 2011. He is a great leader and teammate on the floor.

Bede Lori, Caldwell, junior, 6’4”

Earned second-team All-Ohio honors as a sophomore last season by averaging 22.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Lori set the state single-season free-throw percentage record by making 180 of 188 attempts on the season. He scored 1,006 points in two seasons. 

Ben Morrisson, Rossford Worthington, senior, 6’3”

Scored 15.5 points per game on 65% shooting, including 35% from 3 last season. He was first-team all-conference and all-district as a sophomore and junior.

Owen Murray, Walnut Hills, senior, 6’4”

A pure shooter, Murray shot 45% from 3 last season and averaged 12 points per game. He was first-team all-conference as a sophomore and a junior. He carries a 4.8 GPA and scored a 30 on his ACT.

Jayden Nervis, Hilliard Davidson, senior, 6’5”

As a junior last season, he averaged 14.6 points per game and grabbed 5.3 rebounds per game. His size and athleticism make him an offensive threat. His versatility allows him to play all over the floor and exploit the mismatches he creates including with his back to the basket. He is best when he can get the ball in space in the open floor and attack in transition to finish around the rim or create for teammates.

Ryan Paris, Hilliard Davidson, senior, 6’4”

Scored 11.5 points per game last season and shot 39.4 % from 3. He is primarily a shooting guard but his skill set allows him to play the point as well. He also uses his length to be a good defender. His talents, combined with his work ethic and team-first mentality, make him the ideal senior leader.

Aiden Porter, Fairland, senior, 6’1”

Earned first-team All-Ohio honors in Division III and District Player of the Year honors last season by scoring 23.9 points per game and grabbing 4.2 rebounds.

Jonathan Powell, Chaminade Julienne, sophomore, 6’3”

As a freshman, he averaged 13.1 points per game and scored 20 of his team’s 34 points in the state semifinals, a loss to St. Francis DeSales. A guard with good ball skills who can also make shots, Powell holds an offer from Dayton as just a sophomore.

Ramar Pryor, St. Vincent-St. Mary, senior, 6’2”

An athletic wing who can score at all three levels, Pryor averaged 13 points per game for the Fighting Irish last season in helping win the Division II state championship. Pryor has signed with Cleveland State. '

Jake Singleton, Byesville Meadowbrook, senior, 5’11”

A first-team All-Ohio selection a year ago, Singleton averaged 20.4 points and six rebounds per game. A great shooter, he made 52% of his shots overall last year, including 44% from 3. Also shot 88% from the free-throw line.

Logan Woods, Fairfield, senior, 6’4”

Entering his second season at Fairfield after transferring from Cincinnati Christian School following his sophomore campaign, he was an honorable mention All-Ohio selection last season. The Wright State commit averaged 16.4 points per game last year and has shown leadership on the defensive end of the floor.