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The biggest basketball event in Ohio is taking place this weekend at Nationwide Arena. In this article i’m going to talk about the matchups, players to watch and how each team is doing so far. 10:40 am: Cleveland Heights (2-1)…
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Continue ReadingThe biggest basketball event in Ohio is taking place this weekend at Nationwide Arena. In this article i’m going to talk about the matchups, players to watch and how each team is doing so far.
10:40 am: Cleveland Heights (2-1) vs Olentangy Orange (4-0)
The first matchup of the day will feature great guard play. Olentangy Orange are off to a solid start and have been getting great contribution from their three headed monster at the guard position.
Jordan Edwards
Jordan
Edwards
6'3" | PG
Olentangy Orange | 2023
State
OH
is one of the best passers in all of Ohio, and two gifted scorers in
Elias Lewis
Elias
Lewis
6'2" | SG
Olentangy Orange | 2023
State
OH
and Mikey Mccullom. Although Orange will need to find a way to stay afloat with Mikey missing time due to injury. Cleveland Heights has one of the most exciting players to watch in the state
Shemarion Hardy
Shemarion
Hardy
6'1" | PG
Cleveland Heights | 2023
State
OH
. Also they have a very intriguing sophomore prospect in
Braylyn Irby
Braylyn
Irby
6'3" | SG
Cleveland Heights | 2025
State
OH
who’s picked up an offer from Youngstown State.
12:25 pm: Garfield Heights (4-0) vs Dayton Chaminade Julienne (6-0)
Dayton Chaminade as of now is the best division II program in Ohio. Over the summer they got a trio of brothers that transferred from Christian Academy in Louisville Kentucky. George Washington III George Washington III 6'3" | CG Chaminade Julienne | 2023 State #92 Nation OH is a four star guard who is committed to Michigan University and his younger brother Jackson is one of the best shooters in the state and is a three star as well. Also the Eagles have one of the most under recruited prospects in Evan Dickey Evan Dickey 6'4" | SG Chaminade-Julienne | 2023 State OH who has played a huge part of the early success. They take on Northeast Ohio powerhouse Garfield Heights, they feature one of the best freshmen guards in the country. Marcus Johnson Marcus Johnson 6'1" | PG Garfield Heights | 2026 State OH is just a freshmen and already holds offers from Alabama, Cincinnati and West Virginia. This should be a fun matchup with all the talent on the court.
2:10 pm: St Ignatius (2-2) vs Africentric (2-2)
After losing in the divsion III final four last year Africentric is looking to bounce back and added some talent over the summer. Led by Xavier commit and Mr. Ohio candidate Dailyn Swain Dailyn Swain 6'7" | SF Africentric | 2023 State #81 Nation OH . He has some really solid teammates in Preston Steele Preston Steele 6'5" | PF Africentric | 2023 State OH and Cortez Freemen who transferred from Canal Winchester. St Ignatius who came in as the preseasons #3 ranked team in the state dropped their last two games and are looking to bounce back with a quality win this Saturday.
4:00 pm: Lutheran East (5-0) vs CVCA (3-1)
Now it’s time for the premier matchups of the evening. First game brings out CVCA’s star shooting guard Darryn Peterson Darryn Peterson 6'5" | CG Huntington Prep | 2025 State #4 Nation WV who comes in as the 6th overall recruit in the country. And on the opposing end we get to see a pair of power five bigs. Freshmen phenom Tj Crumble is a 6’8 big who holds six offers including SEC programs LSU and Ole Miss. On top of that the Falcons have top 100 player Jesse McCulloch Jesse McCulloch 6'9" | PF Lutheran East | 2024 State #136 Nation OH who has offers from Ohio State, Alabama, Indiana and many more. This game will have star talent on display and you don’t want to miss it.
6:00 pm: Sierra Canyon (6-1) vs St Vincent-St Mary (3-0)
What a co headliner, we get the 2019 rematch when Sierra Canyon snuck past for a three point win. We get to see LeBron’s alma mater high school take on his two sons Bronny and Bryce James. Sierra Canyon comes in at the #25 ranked team in the nation according to ESPN, they are loaded with talent. Alongside Bronny and Bryce they have three star forward Ashton Hardaway, son of current Memphis coach and former NBA All star Penny Hardaway. Although they feature a ton of big names, the highest recruit on the team is five star junior guard Isaiah Elohim who ranks 13th nationally. They will be tested by defending state champ SVSM, who is led by Kent State commit LA Hayes. Saint Vincent-St Mary has won two of the last three state titles, and are looking to go back to states moving up from division two to division one.
8:00 pm: Centerville vs Pickerington Central
All eyes will be on the repeat of last year’s state championship. Both teams have reloaded and are in position to make another deep run. The Centerville Elks bring in key transfer
Jonathan Powell
Jonathan
Powell
6'5" | SG
Centerville | 2024
State
#164
Nation
OH
who’s a top 100 player and has offers from Ohio State, Illinois and more. Alongside him is defending Mr.Ohio and Indiana commit Gabe Cups. Arguably the best team in Ohio just got better. We get to see a huge test against a stacked Pickerington Central team who returns almost everyone from last year state championship team. They are led by top 50 player
Devin Royal
Devin
Royal
6'6" | PF
Pickerington Central | 2023
State
#49
Nation
OH
who will be playing for Ohio State next season.
This is by far the best Ohio basketball event of the year. If you want to go to this must attend event you can find tickets at Ticketmaster or any ticket website.