Great Lakes Classic: Top Guards

Northeast Ohio basketball is special for countless reasons. The magic can be boiled down to two things, though — talent and the community's excitement about the game. Because of it, there's no other place I'd rather be on opening weekend. Great Lakes Classic, a 12-game opening-weekend event at Cleveland Heights, brings together well-known recruits versus eager underdogs with a backdrop of edge-of-their seat spectators ready to lose their minds for anyone who provides a highlight. Today, we look at mostly well-known recruits who will be remembered as the top performers from the 2019 GLC. <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/garvin-clarke/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Garvin Clarke</a> (2020) | 6-0 PG | Cleveland Heights stats: 31 points, 14 rebounds (two games)</h6> Clarke, an Akron signee, played an efficient all-around game. His shooting ability, though, took center stage. Once considered a question mark in his early career, Clarke's jumper has developed into a true strength. He hit several from distance after creating space off the dribble. His more filled-out frame allowed him to finish a few and-ones through the body, also. Defensively, Clarke caused several turnovers — his feet and hands were way quicker than those of the opponents. <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ej-farmer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">EJ Farmer</a> (2021) | 6-5 SG | Cleveland Heights stats: 53 points, 7 rebounds (two games)</h6> Farmer has a go-to scorer mentality in that he aggressively is looking to fire and attack the rim. He's becoming way more willing to attack the basket. Instead of settling for pull-ups after creating separation, Farmer is darting to the basket when there's a window, drawing a lot of turnovers. Still young in the face, he has added an inch of height and more pop around the rim. Didn't shy away from contact. <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaden-hameed/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jaden Hameed</a> (2021) | 5-11 PG | VASJ stats: 30 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists</h6> Hameed had an easy time scoring against the John Adams defense. Whether he was leaking out in transition or slicing through the halfcourt defense with his dribble, Hameed was able to get wherever he wanted. His body looks stronger, making him that much more equipped to absorb and finish through contact. <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jonah-waag/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jonah Waag</a> (2021) | 6-2 PG | VASJ stats: 12 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists</h6> This ultra-efficient version of Waag impressed with his straight-line driving ability and finishing. Scoring physical layups off two feet, showing great focus and body control after being bumped. Comfortable playing fast and makes subtle moves coming down-hill in a straight-line to freeze defenders. Finished with either hand. Displayed playmaking ability. Very good defensive player. <h6>Jesse Laster (2020) | 6-3 SF | Garfield Heights stats: 8 points </h6> Laster, a Lincoln Trail recruit, is the best perimeter defensive specialist we scouted all weekend. Simply put, he stays attached to quick guards. His hips, fluidity, ability to stop on a dime and change directions, length, and athleticism are all impressive. Made plays in the passing lanes. Explosive at the rim. Hung in the air and found ways to avoid shot-blockers in traffic. <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/corey-floyd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Corey Floyd</a> (2020) | 6-3 SF | Brush stats: 10 points, 3 rebounds</h6> If your program is looking for a bulldog — someone whose effort and physicality can inspire the rest of your team to play harder — Floyd is an unsigned senior to check out. He's the Brush glue guy in every sense. Brings an edge. Displayed skill in transition as a passer and scorer, although he wasn't quite as confident with the ball in halfcourt. <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/bryon-ottrix/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bryon Ottrix</a> (2021) | 5-10 SG | Glenville stats: 31 points, 1 assist</h6> Ottrix was the only Glenville Tarblooder in double-digits at 31 points in their near-upset of Lutheran East. The lefty was phenomenal on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers, both with his feet set and in motion under duress. Those fading triples coming off screens happened in clutch moments, too. His poise and confidence as a shooter kept them in the game. He played off the ball but had opportunities to show-off a tight, complex handle at times. <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/sirr-hughes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sirr Hughes</a> (2021) | 6-1 PG | Lutheran East stats: 13 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists </h6> Hughes played with outstanding energy. He was a lightning bolt off the defensive glass, leading to quick baskets for himself and others. Very fast. His lateral quickness and defensive focus were great. One of the top five defenders all weekend. Forces ball-handlers to give it up or play with their back to the basket. Rebounds well for a guard. <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tevin-jackson/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tevin Jackson</a> (2020) | 5-8 PG | Cleveland Central Catholic stats: 7 points, 5 assists</h6> Jackson is a basketball savant. I was truly blown away with his intelligence and command of the floor. Also, if defense is the concern, he's really good at that, too. Jackson limited Luke Howes, a Walsh signee, by staying in front of the dynamic guard, forcing him to make tough baskets. On offense, Jackson is so clever with a live dribble. Very quick. Sets up teammates at the perfect times. He controlled the game and hardly attempted any shots. <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/luke-howes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Luke Howes</a> (2020) | 6-1 PG | Fairview stats: 16 points, 2 rebounds</h6> It wasn't a vintage Howes night but he still wowed the crowd (including me) with dynamic moves. He's so quick, yet also willing to use his power if he sees a mismatch. He finished against solid defense and competed against Nettles, who he was matched up with most of the night. <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/arthur-fayne/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Arthur Fayne</a> (2020) | 6-3 SG | Cleveland Central Catholic stats: 5 points, 4 rebounds</h6> Fayne shoots it really well, plays efficiently, and has ideal size for a guard. Impacted the game on offense with smart passes and a clutch 3-pointer. Doesn't waste dribbles, rather attacking hard in a straight-line, occasionally mixing in a change of pace. Good frame. Shows passing ability with a live dribble. <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/quentin-richardson-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Quentin Richardson</a> (2020) | 5-11 PG | Holy Name stats: 21 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists</h6> Richardson made plays on both ends of the floor, leading Holy Name to a 1-0 start. Offensively, his speed stood-out once again. Richardson is blur end-to-end, comfortable playing full-speed. Showed pop off the floor on finishes. Converted a pair of pure swishes from distance in the first half. Good vision. On defense, Richardson was disruptive on help-side. He consistently forced missed shots by stepping in to help on drives — a good trait for someone with the speed to recover on a shooter. Also picked off a few throws in passing lanes. <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jamarr-talbert/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jamarr Talbert</a> (2021) | 6-2 PG | Richmond Heights stats: 14 points, 2 rebounds</h6> Talbert has a rather prototypical build. He's noticeably broad with length, combined with the ability to move fluidly. The traits allow him to slither around bodies, helpful as a ball-handler and defender. He's grown an inch or two. Moving past athleticism, Talbert's skill-set is improving. He's shooting it better and even flashed the ability to create space for a 3-pointer. Managed the floor well as a primary ball-handler, showing dribbling and passing ability. <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/shammah-scott/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Shammah Scott</a> (2020) | 6-2 SG | Shaker Heights stats: 26 points, 2 rebounds</h6> Scott began their win over Cleveland Heights with a 14-point quarter. More importantly, he ended it, too, on a go-ahead floater with 17 seconds remaining. Scott is very skilled with the ball in his hands. In a wild, up-tempo game he thrived in transition by dribbling out of jams. Finished at the rim with more burst than ever. Scored through contact. Defensively, he did a good job of containing ball-handlers, making it tough to finish. <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dakota-cochran/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dakota Cochran</a> (2020) | 6-2 SG | Shaker Heights stats: 16 points, 1 rebound</h6> Cochran is a shark in their full-court defensive attack. He closes gaps so quickly and has the power to rip the ball right out of a kid's hands. In transition, Cochran is an underrated passer and a well-known finisher. <a href="https://twitter.com/3rdcoast_Newt/status/1201349923465240578" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">He threw down possibly the best dunk we will see all season</a> when he punished a 6-foot-4 forward by hammering one on his head. True posterization. Very poised body language — Cochran was the game's only double-digit scorer who didn't gesture to the crowd after a big shot. (Maybe besides the dunk, it was complete madness when he posterized that guy.) Instead, he hustled to his spot without getting too high on one moment.