Top performers from Cleveland Play by Play Classic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cleveland Play by Play Classic brought out some talented teams to John Carroll University for a day full of action. In this article we'll break down the top performers from the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1705948"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"One of the top freshmen guards in the country, Johnson has had an exceptional start to his high school career. Against Imani Christian (PA) that talent was once again on full display as Johnson finished with another efficient 20+ point scoring game and led his team to victory over a talented prep school. Johnson does well creating contact and then avoiding it when he needs to at the rim or to create space for a step-back jumper. I also was impressed with a few skip passes Johnson made when the defense collapsed on him and as usual, he made shots from the outside. Garfield Heights has had a great start to the season and Johnson is the biggest reason why this team is winning games.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1148120"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Skaljac once again proved why he's one of the top players in Ohio's 2024 class with a smooth 30+ point outing against Brush. Skaljac has to create almost everything for his high school team and his teammates get him the ball and allow him to make the game easier for them. With the scoring and creation burden put on his shoulders, there were moments where Skaljac forced the issue but that was required for his team to score. Hitting tough shot after tough shot, Skaljac will play a much different role at the next level with his passing ability taking a bigger prominence and his outside shooting looks will get much easier as well. Currently holding multiple MAC offers, Skaljac could see his recruitment boost past that level this spring and summer.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1222353"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Saint Ignatius needed to bounce back after a disappointing loss to rival Saint Edward by 20 points. Their response on Sunday? A dominating blowout of Mentor as the Wildcats were up 20+ points at halftime and brought their starters out with around a 35-point lead early in the fourth quarter. Buckner led an efficient charge that showcased excellent ball movement and unselfish play. Making a couple off the bounce jumpers and a few dunks, Buckner was the biggest standout in my eyes in a team wide domination on Sunday for Saint Ignatius.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1222354"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"While the Falcons took a disappointing loss in the battle of state champion favorites, McCulloch showed some real promise in the second half playing hard and scoring often on second chance opportunities around the rim. McCulloch also knocked down a clutch 3-pointer during a big Lutheran East run in the fourth quarter to make the game interesting again. I would like to see McCulloch be more assertive on the block, he was blocked a few times going up for dunks and faded away on a couple looks as well. McCulloch has great touch, skill and feel but if he improves his dominance in the paint, he could take his game to the next level.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1432006"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Barber once again put on a tremendous showing, looking like the best player on the floor in a game filled with high level talent. One of the elite passers in the state, Barber threw some insane passes to get his teammates wide open looks. Despite being undersized, Barber grabbed some huge rebounds and has a nose for the ball when it's loose. Barber made some tough shots, but his 3-point shot is still a work in progress, if he starts making those consistently then watch out because he does almost everything else you'd want from a point guard.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["867954"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Back in Ohio after a few games out of state, Buchtel looked like a team on a mission to close out the event. It was Thurmon scoring 18 points in the first half that got the ball rolling and Buchtel did just enough to hold on to their lead with free throw shooting late. Thurmon was getting active by using his quickness and ability to blow by you at the point of attack. Also knocking down a few 3-pointers, Thurmon has a repeatable shot from the spot-up that goes in at a high rate. With Thurmon and [player_tooltip player_id='867950' first='Amire' last='Robinson'], Buchtel has a pair of Division I commits in their senior class that have the ability to lead them as teams start to prepare for a playoff push.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63bd9d1670ee5"} /-->