Lake Erie League Preview
<p>The Lake Erie League has produced at least one regional champion for three-consecutive seasons, the second-longest streak for any league in Ohio, only trailing Central Ohio's 31-team Ohio Capital Conference. Cleveland Heights, Lorain, and Lutheran East all give the LEL a shot at extending their streak in 2020.</p>
<p>Prominent storylines also include transfers and OHSAA competitive balance adjustments.</p>
<p>BJ Busbee, Garvin Clarke, EJ Farmer, and Seth Wilson (three preseason First-Teamers) have changed schools, all players expected to play a major role for their teams. </p>
<p>Finally, Lutheran East moved up one more division. The Falcons were Division IV regional champions in 2017 and Division III regional champs in 2018. Now the bar has been raised once again to Division II, where they still have a healthy shot. </p>
<p>For now, though, here's what we expect during the regular season:</p>
<h5><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>First Team</strong></span></h5>
<h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/seth-wilson/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Seth Wilson</a> (2021) | 6-1 PG | Lorain</strong></h6>
<p>A two-time State Championship participant who brings experience and a go-to scoring presence to Lorain. The Titans already had late-tournament experience before Wilson transferred over from St. Vincent-St. Mary, but he bolsters their lineup in a major way. Creates makable shots at will. Impact defender with size and length. Mr. Basketball candidate. </p>
<h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/garvin-clarke/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Garvin Clarke</a> (2020) | 6-0 PG | Cleveland Heights</strong></h6>
<p>Euclid transfer. Clarke is a skilled floor general who makes winning plays and has the ability to take over with scoring. Will make sure to utilize all of the weapons in this Cleveland Heights arsenal. Shut-down defender at the point of attack. Stretches the floor with shooting. Pick-and-roll maestro. Mr. Basketball candidate.</p>
<h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nehemiah-benson/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Nehemiah Benson</a> (2020) | 6-6 F | Lutheran East</strong></h6>
<p>Athletic forward with an inside and outside game. Benson averaged 18.0 points (shooting splits of 61-41-85), 7.0 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in his wildly productive junior season. We expect those totals to increase with more offensive responsibility. Comfortable playing into late-March. Defends in space and blocks shots. </p>
<h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jalin-billingsley/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jalin Billingsley</a> (2021) | 6-7 PF | Lutheran East</strong></h6>
<p>High-upside prospect with ridiculous potential. Very fluid big body with a natural scoring touch. Capable of defending the rim and rebounding at an All-State level. Averaged 16.0 points and 7.2 rebounds last season. Severe matchup problem at the high school level.</p>
<h6 style="text-align: left"><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ej-farmer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">EJ Farmer</a> (2021) | 6-4 SG | Cleveland Heights</strong></h6>
<p>Lutheran East transfer, where Farmer was the leading scorer at 23.0 points per game as a sophomore. Elite shot creation ability because of his height, high shooting release, and quick-twitch muscle. Comfortable shooting off the dribble with range. Flashing more physicality and body control when he gets into the lane on the dribble-drive. Now playing with guards at Cleveland Heights who can create open shots for him, a scary reality.</p>
<h5><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>Second Team</strong></span></h5>
<h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jordan-jackson/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jordan Jackson</a> (2020) | 6-4 SG</strong><strong> | Lorain</strong></h6>
<p>Physical guard with terrific size and scoring ability around the rim. Jackson also provides defensive versatility and rebounding. Plays with an edge. Smart passer who pushes pace in the open floor by finding streaking teammates. Displays athleticism as a defender and finisher. Jackson started for the Titans when they went to states in 2018.</p>
<h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ramelle-arnold/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ramelle Arnold</a> (2021) | 5-11 PG | Warrensville Heights</strong></h6>
<p>Arnold leads a new-look Warrensville roster with 2019 graduate Brandon Rush off to Fairleigh Dickinson. The elusive ball-handler will be challenged to produce despite being at the top of scouting reports. Here's the thing, though, Arnold is capable. He's very difficult to stay in front of because of his quickness side-to-side. Drive-and-kick facilitator. </p>
<h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/sirr-hughes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sirr Hughes</a> (2021) | 5-11 G | Lutheran East</strong></h6>
<p>Hughes is a quick lead guard with blow-by speed and finishing ability. He should run the show offensively and impressed with averages of 8.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game last season. Plays tight defense at the point of attack. </p>
<h6><strong>Deonte Benejan (2020) | 6-0 G | Lorain</strong></h6>
<p>Benejan is an extremely fast and fluid slasher who gets past defenders driving hard either direction. Unafraid of attacking in traffic and draws fouls. Benejan is also a handful on defense because of his speed and activity. </p>
<h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/manny-hill/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Manny Hill</a> (2020) | 5-10 PG | Cleveland Heights</strong></h6>
<p>Elusive guard who will provide scoring on the wing and a secondary ball-handling presence. Hill can run the offense when Clarke sits. He's a shifty ball-handler who uses a herky-jerky style to get past his man and finish at the rim. Shoots it well on spot-up opportunities.</p>
<h6><span style="font-size: 10pt"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Honorable Mention:</span></strong> Dayvon Adams (LUE), Collin Albert (LUE), Aaron Whitehead (Lorain), BJ Busbee (LUE), Christian Dillard (Cle. Hts), TJ Blevins (LUE)</em></span></h6>
<h6><span style="font-size: 10pt"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Potential Breakout Players:</span></strong> Jamol Coles (Cle. Hts), Jaylen Davis (Cle. Hts), Jamarion Lanum (Cle. Hts), Malik Kennedy (LUE)</em></span></h6>
<hr />
<h5><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>Predicted Finish:</strong></span></h5>
<p>1. Cleveland Heights — It's happening again. I'M ALL IN ON CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, BABY! For the third preseason in a row, I love their roster talent. Frankly, they haven't quite lived up to my lofty expectations these last two seasons, but this year will be different I'm sure of it.</p>
<p>To go with their three guards listed above, the Tigers have a rotation of athletes with size in Jamol Coles, <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaylen-davis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jaylen Davis</a>, and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jamarion-lanum/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jamarion Lanum</a>. Christian Dillard brings an edge to the backcourt, too. Clarke is a winner. It will take time for the pieces to mesh but Cleveland Heights should be a top 10 Division I team.</p>
<p>2. Lorain — Wilson's presence raises Lorain's ceiling very high. He's a dominant scorer who will likely have the green light to attack and shoot on any possession. They play with moxie and physicality. Difficult to beat at home. Athletic enough to defend everyone. </p>
<p>3. Lutheran East — Lutheran East lost their top scorer in EJ Farmer, whose spot in the lineup will be replaced by Benedictine transfer <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/bj-busbee/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BJ Busbee</a>. He can score it in his own right. But we expect their offense to be predicated on the inside games of Benson and Billingsley. They will cause mismatch problems with their athleticism and size while dominating the boards. Division II regional peers include St. Vincent-St. Mary, Buchtel, Cleveland Central Catholic, Lake Catholic, and VASJ.</p>
<p>4. Warrensville Heights</p>
<p>5. Maple Heights</p>
<p>6. Bedford</p>
<p>7. Shaw</p>
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading
Already a subscriber?
Log in
