Top Performers from Cleveland Basketball Classic
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The Cleveland Basketball Classic brought some talented teams from around the region to compete at an all day event at Baldwin Wallace University. In this article I’ll break down some standout performers from the event. Daron Hill OH #22 SG…
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Continue ReadingThe Cleveland Basketball Classic brought some talented teams from around the region to compete at an all day event at Baldwin Wallace University. In this article I’ll break down some standout performers from the event.
Hawken has a talented team and Hill has some of the most long-term upside among any player at the event. The lefty wing guard is explosive on the ball and can create for himself. Able to blow by the first defender to either look to score at the rim or pull-up with the jumper, I liked the elevation that Hill gets on his jump-shot. With soft touch in the in between areas using the floater and mid-range, I want to see Hill continue to attack off the bounce and not settle for step back jumpers he can get to anytime. A prospect I’ll be following closely over the next couple years.
Buckeye had some nice underclassmen pieces with Dolata and 2026 point guard Austin Hyre to build with for the future. I thought Dolata had a nice jumper for a prospect his size and age. As the game went on Dolata got more confident creating for himself and had a mid-range pull up, a spin jumper and another one dribble pull-up in the second half alone. A prospect who should bulk up as a football athlete as well, Dolata showed some intriguing promise on Sunday.
Saint Edward has a lot of senior talent on this team and the Kulacz twins are two of the prospects to watch. I’m writing about Angelo, who got the start and scored early and often for the Eagles. Able to knock down shots off the catch at a high rate, Kulacz is an impressive spot-up shooter. Saint Edward does a great job moving the basketball and Kulacz got some easy layups off backdoor cuts and running the floor on the fast break. With so many seniors who are capable college contributors, Division III programs from across the state should check out Saint Edward because they’ll likely find a prospect or two they like.
Toledo St John’s once again has an experienced team and Murphy is set to be a breakout star as a senior after being a valuable complimentary piece as a Junior on a state final four squad. Scoring a team high 27 points knocking down a handful of 3-pointers, the senior wing guard was getting busy offensively. Where Murphy maybe shines the most is on the defensive end with his length and activity jumping passing lanes. Small college programs have been actively recruiting Murphy and he continues to show why he’s coveted by a handful of programs.
The most competitive game of the day went to overtime where Berea Midpark emerged victorious, due in large part to the clutch play of the freshman Clay. The Titans 2027 class has a lot of talent with four players on the varsity roster already. I was most impressed with Clay as he scored 18 points and hit some huge shots late including two 3’s in the fourth to cut the deficit to 5 and 6, then a banked 3-pointer to take the lead and another 3-pointer to take the lead in overtime. For a freshman I thought Clay made quick decisions with the ball in his hands and was fast in the open court. A name I’ll be keeping my eyes on as a multi sport athlete.
Brunswick absolutely demolished Olmsted Falls to wrap up the event with way too much scoring talent. The Blue Devils have Morgan and another Division II commit in Quinn Barnett Quinn Barnett 6’2″ | SG Brunswick | 2024 State OH . I was also impressed with some of the 2025 talent I found for the first time in Matt Morgan Matt Morgan 6’3″ | SF Brunswick | 2025 OH and Aiden Shaker. What I liked about Tommy Morgan Tommy Morgan 6’5″ | SF Brunswick | 2024 State OH ‘s performance was his efficiency within the offense in the half-court. Knocking down spot-up 3-pointers as well as making a couple nice drives to the basket. I thought Morgan also looked more explosive attacking off the catch making quick rip through moves. Brunswick looks like one of the most explosive offenses in the state and when they are knocking down their jumpers, a team nobody wants to face this season.