Great Lakes Classic Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the season comes closer to starting, I am previewing some of the top events to start the season off across the state. In today's piece, I am focusing on the Great Lakes Classic, an annual event out of Northeast Ohio featuring multiple teams from the Cleveland area. The event is a 2-day event at Cleveland Heights High School.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(November 26)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>11:30am- <strong><em> Shaw</em></strong> vs <strong><em>Benedictine</em></strong>- This opening matchup with feature some newer faces for both teams as they look to rebound from tough seasons last year. Shaw especially will look to replace Chaysean Chavis, who was their top player a year ago. Expect a lower scoring game in this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1:00pm- <strong><em>John Adams</em></strong> vs <strong><em> Cornerstone Christian</em></strong>- Cornerstone Christian was my #3 team in Division IV to start the season as they return 2 key players from the District Runner-Up team a year ago. <strong>Quinn Kwasniak</strong> (So) and <strong>DJ Niles</strong> (Sr) know the system CCA plays and are ready to run things back to start the year. John Adams did not return any top producers from last year and could face some problems early on in this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2:30pm- <strong><em>Holy Name</em></strong> vs.<strong><em> Kenston</em></strong>- Both teams had postseason football success, with Holy Name still currently playing. The deep run means the Green Wave could be missing some guys in this game. <strong>Dorian Pettway</strong> (Sr) should be suiting up and will be the X-Factor in this game, as Kenston did not return much production and will need to focus in defensively to prevent Pettway from finding a rhythm. Holy Name missing guys means this could swing to Kenston should they execute defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4:00pm- <strong><em>John Marshall</em></strong> vs.<strong><em> Garfield Heights</em></strong>- The main storyline in this matchup will be Garfield Heights and their new look team. The Bulldogs added 3 impact transfers and arguably the best freshman in the state in <strong>Marcus Johnson</strong>. As long as the new guys can mesh early on, the Bulldogs have a chance to get things started on a high note against a John Marshall team that will struggle to matchup against the Bulldogs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5:30pm- <strong><em>Lutheran West</em></strong> vs <strong><em>Maple Heights</em></strong>- This game will be a fun one as it features 2 of the more under-the-radar teams in NE Ohio in DIvision I and II. Lutheran West has a junior heavy team led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1352458' first='Derek' last='Fairley']</strong> and transfers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1477054' first='Jayson' last='Levis']</strong> and <strong>Dylan Bartchek</strong>. The arrivals give the Longhorns plenty of backcourt depth which will be needed to overcompensate for the loss of frontcourt leader <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1352454' first='Boubacar' last='Djigo']</strong>. Maple Heights is senior heavy and brings quality guard play as well, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1052786' first='Xavier' last='Peterson']</strong> and transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1340513' first='Darius' last='Davis']</strong>. Tough to pick one over the other in this one as the more disciplined backcourt wins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7:00pm- <strong><em>Shaker Heights</em></strong> vs.<strong><em> Cleveland Heights</em></strong>- The first night finale will feature the host Tigers from Cleveland Heights and visiting Shaker Heights. Cleveland Heights is a team that found postseason success last year and returned about half of their production. The addition of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432029' first='Braylyn' last='Irby']</strong> from Trinity only adds to the Tigers depth and makes them a sneaky team. Shaker Heights will begin life without Danny Young Jr and look to replicate a 17 win season last year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='922604' first='Kellon' last='Smith']</strong> is the next best guard out of Shaker, but he has big shoes to fill from Young and there are questions on the depth outside Smith and if they can compete in this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(November 27)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1:30pm- <strong><em>Willoughby South</em></strong> vs <strong><em>Euclid</em></strong>- Day 2 opens with two teams looking to rebound after disappointing seasons in 2021-22. Willoughby South didn't return much of their higher end production and enters the event with plenty of questions. Euclid must replace their star Clayton Cunningham from a season ago, and will look to <strong>Xavier Vann</strong> for guidance and leadership.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3:00pm- <strong><em>Brush</em></strong> vs <strong><em>Walsh Jesuit</em></strong>- This 2nd matchup of the day might just be the game of the day. Brush enters the event as one of the top Division I programs in Ohio and returning <strong>Marlon Barnes</strong> (Pitt commit) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='814555' first='Tyler' last='Williams']</strong> who are both easily D1 recruits. Walsh Jesuit is an interesting team as they hit the 20 win mark last year, but lost several seniors from that group. I have no doubt they will be able to compete, but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1280748' first='Zach' last='Halligan']</strong> will have a lot on his plate to guide the Warriors to an upset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4:30pm- <strong><em>VASJ</em></strong> vs <strong><em>East Tech</em></strong>- Both teams are working on regrouping and rebuilding after rough years last season. This early season matchup will allow both to involve youth and new faces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6:00pm- <strong><em>Lutheran East</em></strong> vs.<strong><em> Glenville</em></strong>- If you've read any articles the last few months, you know the talent Lutheran East has on their roster. This matchup with give the Lue a chance to acclimate their new names and young guys to the Varsity level. Glenville loses quite a few seniors form last year and might not have their football guys yet due to the team playing in the Regional Finals tonight. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->