Stock risers from Cleveland Play by Play Classic
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The Cleveland Play by Play classic featured seven games at John Carroll University, in this article we’ll take a look at some players who boosted their stock with impressive performances. Kellon Smith OH #56 CG #6 HEIGHT 6'1" POS CG…
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Continue ReadingThe Cleveland Play by Play classic featured seven games at John Carroll University, in this article we’ll take a look at some players who boosted their stock with impressive performances.
Smith is one of the top unsigned senior guards in the state and proved it once again on Sunday. Smith is an athletic shot maker who hit some tough contested jumpers in this game. With Smith’s athleticism, ability to make shots and defensive ability to me he’s a scholarship level prospect. With no current offers, he’s currently potentially the biggest target for top Division III schools in Ohio. We’ll see if scholarship programs throw Smith an offer later in the season but in my eyes, he is more than deserving of a look.
This was my third time watching Maple Heights this season and Aniton had his best performance in this game that I’ve seen this season. Aniton was active around the rim, knocked down a 3-pointer at the buzzer and had a couple dunks. He looked more assertive and aggressive around the basket. With Aniton’s physical tools, he’s going to be a player who develops later and is showing that he’s getting closer to realizing his upside with production.
Garito is another prospect looking to get some more scholarship interest as he continues to play through his senior season. One of the bigger players in the state, there’s few big men who can match up with Garito size wise. Dominating on the glass early, Garito does a great job of finishing possessions on the defensive end and also giving his team more possessions on the offensive end. The biggest improvement for Garito will be finishing around the basket. Currently he’s not very explosive off the ground and gets shots contested at the rim. If Garito can improve his explosiveness he will be a much more capable finisher at the rim. Division III programs don’t usually wind up with big men who look like Garito, I’d be surprised if a scholarship program doesn’t offer him before it’s all said and done.
Cleveland Heights took a tough loss against Buchtel but it wasn’t without a great effort from Duncan. A talented wing guard, Duncan was creating his own shot and attacking closeouts for some high percentage looks that he got to fall. Duncan is aggressive at getting downhill and has the ability to get all the way to the rim or step back and hit a mid-range jumper. With his on ball ability, athleticism and size, Duncan has a chance to be a scholarship prospect but also should be very high on recruiting boards of small colleges as well.
I’ve seen Boyce play well over a dozen times in his career and this was easily one of his best performances. Boyce was efficient at the rim, moving well without the ball, leaking out in transition and making smart cuts. Also knocking down an open 3-pointer and playing his usual tough defense, Boyce put a lot of his skills together for a complete outing. Not usually going to light up the scoreboard but Boyce a guy who really helps you win at the high school level and his performance was crucial for Buchtel to get a marquee victory at this event.