Great Lakes Conference Preview: POY Candidates, Breakouts, and Standings

<p>The Great Lakes Conference has consistently bred dangerous contenders in the OHSAA's Division II and Division III levels in recent history. This season should be no different with talented guard play and rising forwards ready to lead the charge!</p> <h4><strong>POY Candidates</strong></h4> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/quentin-richardson-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Quentin Richardson</a> (2020) | 5-11 PG | Holy Name</strong></h6> <p>Richardson is the only returning All-State player in the conference, reaching Third Team for Division II as a junior with 20.8 points per game. He also runs the show at an expert level, creating shots for others by collapsing the defense and making the right play. Richardson operates well at full-speed in transition or at a surgical level in the halfcourt.</p> <p>Ultimately, he's our pick for 2020 Great Lakes Conference Player of the Year. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/edward-wright/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Edward Wright</a> (2020) | 6-0 PG | Elyria Catholic</strong></h6> <p>Wright is one of the conference's leading returning scorers at 13.1 points per game. He combines a nice skill-set with a strong, thick body equipped to handle contact in traffic. Finishes well. Creates separation in one-on-one situations and able to pull-up off the dribble.</p> <h6><strong>Cristain Dean (2020) | G | Rocky River</strong></h6> <p>Dean is an all-around stat-stuffer for Rocky River, the sleeper pick to steal the conference. Averaged 14.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists as a junior. He is a capable shooter who is athletic enough to blow-by off the bounce. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4><strong>Breakout Players</strong></h4> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/stefan-stanic/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Stefan Stanic</a> (2021) | 6-5 SF | Normandy</strong></h6> <p>Stanic a dark horse POY candidate set to blow-up in his upperclassmen years. Combines skill with athleticism better than any wing in the league. Very impressive scorer in the paint with his ability to change speeds and direction off the dribble. Powers through opponents on drives and when tracking rebounds. Capable shooter from the outside. Defends most positions and could flirt with double-digits rebounding numbers every night.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jack-kenneally/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jack Kenneally</a> (2022) | 6-5 PF | Holy Name</strong></h6> <p>Kenneally displays impressive power and skill for a young big man. Able to stretch the floor and shoot it with his feet set. Will provide rebounding, too. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h6><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>Additional All-Conference Guarantees (First or Second Team)</strong></span></h6> <h6><strong>Branson Taylor (2020) | 6-6 C | Elyria Catholic<br /> </strong><strong>Tommy Ruma (2020) | 5-11 PG | Rocky River</strong></h6> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h6><strong>Projected Standings</strong></h6> <h6><strong>1. Holy Name<br /> </strong><strong>2. Rocky River<br /> </strong><strong>3. Elyria Catholic<br /> </strong><strong>4. Bay<br /> </strong><strong>5. Normandy<br /> </strong><strong>6. Parma<br /> </strong><strong>7. Valley Forge</strong></h6>