Greater Cleveland Conference (GCC) Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Statistically, the GCC might have had one of the more successful outcomes in terms of postseason success as 4 of the 6 member schools advanced to the District Finals. While only 1 advanced further than Districts, the fact this many qualified says a lot about the conference and competitiveness. Expect another competitive year this season and a few teams that could challenge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><li><strong><em>Mentor</em></strong>- The Cardinals split the conference title last year, but should be able to claim an outright title this season with so much coming back. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1419892' first='Ryan' last='Ioppolo']</strong> (Sr) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1373984' first='Ian' last='Ioppolo']</strong> (Jr) played major roles a season ago and both return along with <strong>Kobe Frasure</strong> (So) and <strong>Matt Biddell</strong> (Jr) who played well in the offseason. Mentor is well coached and get after it defensively, the two things needed to compete not just in the GCC but for a District title.</li><li><strong><em>Medina</em></strong>- It's hard to pick one team over another at this level, but the Bees have a great combination of returning talent and underclassmen to lean on. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1163463' first='Carter' last='Hipp']</strong> (Sr) was a key contributor last year and played well during the Summer. Sophomores <strong>Darnell Davis</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1453532' first='Kellon' last='Johnson']</strong> will see their roles change and will need to step up immediately to keep up with Mentor and the rest of the GCC.</li><li><strong><em>Solon</em></strong>- The Comets were the next team that excelled with returning talent, getting 2 of their top 3 back from a team that was tied for the #2 spot last year. Returning is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1163461' first='Rayquan' last='Thompson']</strong> (Sr) who was a 2nd Team All-District player last season, along with teammate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1468676' first='Cameron' last='Brown']</strong> (Jr). The Comets will miss the production from Sam Marbury, but should be right in the mix still.</li><li><strong><em>Strongsville</em></strong>- Mustangs are returning their best player in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='954767' first='Justin' last='Wypasek']</strong> (Sr) from a team that showed they could compete in the conference. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2419931' first='Brayden' last='Wypasek']</strong> (So) should see an increased role and Strongsville will be one of the better shooting teams in the conference. This brings upside with high volume scoring, but could spell problems against some of these gritty defensive teams near the top.</li><li><strong><em>Brunswick</em></strong>- Blue Devils might have been in the District Finals last year, but they lost 3 of their top 5 from that team do-it-all Brayden Hamilton. <strong>Albert Shaker</strong> (So) and <strong>Tommy Morgan</strong> (Jr) are both returning but replacing that lost production won't be easy and could be the reason they fall at the #5 spot.</li><li><strong><em>Euclid</em></strong>- Comparatively, not near as deep as the rest of the conference.<strong>Xavier Vann</strong> (Sr) is returning and will have big shoes to fill as they lose their top guy from last year in Clayton Cunningham. Challenging the top half of the conference will be difficult.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list -->