Prep Hoops Ohio will be at Cleveland Heights for the Great Lakes Classic on Saturday and Sunday this weekend. The three day event begins with a triple header on Friday. Throughout the weekend, the GCL features a wide range of teams from Northeast Ohio.
For this preview, we’ll look at the teams and players involved, along with a closer look at the top matchups. For the full list of games, click
here.
Top Teams:
Garfield Heights, Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights, Cornerstone Christian, Maple Heights, Lutheran East, Holy Name, St. Ignatius, Brush, Beachwood.
Top Players:
2018s —
Dwayne Cohill (Holy Name),
Christian Guess (Shaker Heights),
Dale Bonner (Shaker Heights),
Mike Bothwell (CCA),
Martel Ferrell (CCA),
Alfonse Hale (Maple Heights),
Key’shawn Ford (Maple Heights),
Tyler Kaminski (Medina), Donovan Forte (Garfield),
Alex Heath (Garfield),
Dalen Solomon (John Hay),
Yahel Hill (Cleveland Heights),
Grayson Green (Cleveland Heights),
Jordan Burge (Lutheran East),
David Gulley (Lutheran East),
Delshawn Jackson (CCC), Dyshawn Jackson (CCC), Tyler Williams (Brush),
Aaron Loines (Glenville).
2019s —
Alonzo Gaffney (Garfield),
Brison Waller (Garfield), Brandon Rush (Warrensville Heights), Jayson Woodrich (Beachwood),
Andre Harris (Brush),
DJ Dial (Brush),
Nigel Martin (John Hay), Kevin Davet (St. Ignatius), Curtis Houston (Richmond Heights).
Underclassmen — Quentin Richardson (Holy Name), Meechie Johnson (Garfield Heights), Jesse Laster (Garfield), Gilbert Davis (Garfield),
Garvin Clarke (Euclid).
Top Team Matchups:
For previews of Cleveland Heights-CCA (Dec 2 at 7:45) and Lutheran East-Beachwood (Dec. 3 at 12:45), click
here.
Dec. 2 at 2:30: St. Ignatius vs. John Hay
The midday matchup on Saturday gives us a chance to look at two teams who will waiver between average to above average this season. St. Ignatius graduated a pair of collegiate forwards from last season’s team in Austen Yarian and Matt Davet. This season, guys like Neeko Melendez, Josh Ozanne, and Kevin Davet will have a chance to prove themselves for this storied program.
On the other sideline, it’ll be our first look of the season at John’s Hay duo of combo forwards in Nigel Martin and Dalen Solomon. Their combined athleticism and ability to pave a path to the rim on the drive could cause problems for Iggy.
Generally, we’re most excited for this matchup because of the emerging talent that gets a chance to start their breakout campaign.
Top Individual Matchups:
Dale Bonner vs. Brandon Rush — Rush, a junior combo guard from Warrensville Heights, is either going to be a Division II steal or solidify his status as a Division I prospect in the next year. Tracking his feel and ability to create is an interesting storyline to follow this season. A matchup with Bonner, a Fairmont State commit, is as tough as it gets for a guard in Northeast Ohio. Bonner gives his all on the defensive side of the floor, and can match effort with length and quickness.
Rush excels at drawing separation off the dribble, but it will be important for him to make efficient moves against Bonner.
Mike Bothwell vs. Yahel Hill — The Cleveland Heights-CCA game could be determined by the point guards. Bothwell, a Furman commit, will be the primary offensive option for CCA, as has been the case for the last two seasons. His mature 6’3” frame could be tough to handle for Hill, an unsigned 5’10” senior. Hill extends defenses with his shooting ability, eventually opening up driving lanes that he exploits with a slippery driving ability.
We simply get two of the best senior point guards in Ohio in primetime on Saturday.
Aaron Loines vs. Tyler Williams — An underrated matchup to watch for this weekend between unsigned combination forwards. We hope Williams and Loines are able to matchup, as the battles for inside position and rebounding would be fun to watch.
Both Loines and Williams are still looking for college homes and therefore scholarship offers. Division II and NAIA programs can stop in on Sunday at 6 p.m. to check out two versatile defenders who affect the game as role players.
