A Royal Victory: Devin Royal crowned Ohio Mr. Basketball 2023
In a thrilling announcement, Devin Royal has been crowned Ohio Mr. Basketball for the 2023 season by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association, adding another accomplishment to his already impressive basketball career. As a senior forward standing tall at 6-6, Royal has been a pivotal player for the Pickerington Central Tigers and will soon join the Ohio State Buckeyes Basketball team.
Last year, he was a finalist for the Ohio Mr. Basketball award and has continued to shine this season. Averaging 19.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, with a remarkable 58% field goal percentage, Royal has been a dominant presence on the court. Royal recently became Pickerington Central's all-time leading scorer when he scored 28 points in the team's regional semifinal win against Westerville, a remarkable feat that showcases his talent and dedication to the game.
In 2022, he and his team secured the State Championship title against the Centerville Elks, and they are on a mission to defend their title this year. With the Elks standing in their way, the Tigers are gearing up for a fierce match on March 18th, 2023, at the University of Dayton in the State Semifinals.
As Royal continues to dominate the high school basketball scene in Ohio, his future is undoubtedly bright.
2023 Ohio Mr. Basketball Award Finalists (That Sky High Sportz covered this season)
The competition for this prestigious award was fierce, with the other finalists making waves across Ohio's basketball scene. At Sky High Sportz, we've been closely following the outstanding performances of these talented players, having had the opportunity to witness all but one player (Bede Lori) in action firsthand. Here are our notes on these remarkable individuals.
Gabe Cupps - Senior - Guard - Centerville Elks
Cupps won the award in 2022 and has been nominated for both the McDonald’s All-American and Gatorade Player of the Year awards. He averages 15.2 points per game, 6.9 assists per game, and has a 50.3% field goal percentage. Cupps led his team to a D-I state championship in 2021 and was the runner-up in 2022, losing to Pickerington Central. Sky High Sportz covered Cupps in December 2022 when Centerville took on Pickerington Central to get a little revenge from the State Championship loss to them last season. The Elks won the game 60-54 in overtime.
Darryn Peterson - Sophomore - Guard - CVCA
Without a doubt, the future is bright for young basketball star Peterson. With scholarship offers already pouring in from top basketball programs such as Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio State, it's no surprise that ESPN has ranked him as the #5 high school boys basketball player in the class of 2025 nationwide.
Peterson's statistics speak for themselves, with an impressive average of 31.7 points per game, 9.3 rebounds per game, and 2.7 steals per game, all while maintaining a remarkable 56% field goal percentage.
At Sky High Sportz, we've had the pleasure of covering Peterson in games against Lutheran East, Chaney, and Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, witnessing his incredible talent firsthand. Despite his young age, Peterson has already led CVCA to a Division II district final against Glenville, a testament to his leadership and skill on the court.
Jerry Easter II - Sophomore - Guard - Toledo Emmanuel Christian
Easter has undoubtedly proven himself as a force to be reckoned with this season, boasting impressive averages of 33.4 points per game, 7.9 rebounds per game, and 3.6 steals per game through 21 regular season games. His undeniable talent and production have earned him recognition as a 4-star recruit, with a plethora of offers from top basketball programs such as Illinois, Louisville, and Memphis.
Sky High Sportz had the privilege of witnessing Easter's exceptional skills at the East Vs West Ohio Invitational, where he and his team took on the formidable Lutheran East. Despite a tough loss to the Falcons, Easter managed to score an impressive 33 points.
One of Easter's standout performances this season was undoubtedly his quadruple double, which included a jaw-dropping 40 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists, and 12 steals. To top it all off, Easter also reached an impressive milestone, hitting 1,000 career points in just his sophomore season.
Luke Skaljac - Junior - Guard - Brecksville-Broadview Heights
Skaljac has been an absolute force on the court this season, with impressive averages of 23.2 points per game, 5.5 assists per game, and 3 steals per game, all while maintaining an impressive 42% 3-point field goal percentage. He was named Northeast Lakes District POY in Division I.
Skaljac's talent has not gone unnoticed, with offers pouring in from top basketball programs such as Kent State, Akron, Toledo, and Ohio. He has undoubtedly been a key player in leading his team to success, including a Suburban League title and an appearance in the district finals.
At Sky High Sportz, we've had the pleasure of watching Skaljac in action and can attest to his remarkable skill on the court. His ability to both score and create opportunities for his teammates has made him a standout player in Ohio high school basketball.
Dailyn Swain - Senior - Guard/Forward - Columbus Africentric
With impressive averages of 18.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 7.6 assists, he has been a crucial component of Columbus Africentric's success this season. Swain's dominance is not limited to one end of the court, as he has consistently showcased his defensive prowess, averaging an impressive 3.6 steals and 2.6 blocks per game.
Swain has already committed to play for Xavier University next season. But there is unfinished business ahead of him and his team. Columbus Africentric has their sights set on the State Semifinal match this week on March 18, 2023, as they look to avenge last year's state semifinal loss to Ottawa-Glandorf. With Swain's exceptional skill and leadership, there's no doubt that he will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the game.