Top wings + forwards from NEO Christmas Classic
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The NEO Christmas Classic brought out five intense games with teams all around northeast Ohio to compete at Garfield Heights High School. In this article I’ll break down the top wings and forwards I saw from the event. Brandon Rose…
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Continue ReadingThe NEO Christmas Classic brought out five intense games with teams all around northeast Ohio to compete at Garfield Heights High School. In this article I’ll break down the top wings and forwards I saw from the event.
One of the most consistent and productive players in northeast Ohio, Rose has established himself as a top wing in the area. Rose didn’t have his 3-point shot falling in this game but used other ways to impact the game. Rose was aggressive in slashing to the rim, finishing with both hands and making disruptive plays defensively. I think Rose should be checked out by a ton of scholarship programs but if he slips to the Division III level he could be an instant impact guy.
The highly touted freshman had the best game of his young high school season on Thursday. Despite the loss, Crumble did what he could to try and bring his team back. I was impressed with the aggressiveness he showed in the paint and matched the physicality that older defenders challenged him with in the paint. Also knocking down a corner 3-pointer early and making a lot of free-throws, Crumble showed his offensive versatility. While the loss was disappointing for Crumble and the Falcons, individually Crumble took some big steps on Thursday night.
We covered three guards from Cleveland Heights, but Lawson is another player who should be spotlighted for impressive play in their huge victory over city rival Lutheran East. Lawson was aggressive going up around the rim and had the highlight of the game with an alley-oop slam that helped seal the victory. Lawson is an athletic wing who can make open shots and plays hard at both ends, a guy to watch for small colleges.
Damone Darnold
Damone Darnold
Darnold was a bright spot for Benedictine as they hung with Berea Midpark in the highest scoring game of the day. Darnold had a couple breakaway slam dunks, showing off his vertical explosiveness. I was also impressed with the motor that Darnold plays with. Hopefully Darnold grows soon because he brings a lot of intriguing abilities to the court, he’s just very short for the style of play that he likes to use. Regardless of whether he grows, Darnold has the athleticism and motor to be a productive high school player throughout the rest of his career.
Devyn Zahhursky
Devyn Zahhursky
Zahursky was an animal on both ends, attacking the glass and finishing with likely another double-double in the Titans victory. I was impressed with the patience Zahursky showed with his back to the basket, using pivots and fakes to get defenders off balance. Zahursky showed the strength he displays on the football field often by finishing through contact and drawing fouls. One of the most productive players in his conference, Zahursky is a two-sport stud for Berea-Midpark.
East Tech held on against Parma in the first game of the event and Lawrence was a big reason for that, winning game MVP. Lawrence is a bigger bodied forward who wasn’t afraid to throw his weight around. I liked his touch around the basket and he even made a couple impressive passes from the mid post area. Looks for Lawrence to establish himself as one of the top players in the Cleveland Senate league over the next two seasons.