Cleveland Play by Play Classic Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cleveland Play by Play Classic is one of the top one day events in Ohio all season, in this article we'll preview the games and players to watch throughout the day. The event takes place at John Carroll University and one ticket gets you in all day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">10:30 A.M. Cleveland Rhodes Vs Maple Heights</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The headline story for this game is [player_tooltip player_id='1373988' first='Kenyon' last='Giles'] Vs his old school. Giles was one of the top players in the senate league and has continued his success with Maple Heights next to freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2140872' first='King' last='Young']. For Rhodes, [player_tooltip player_id='1819387' first='Antwon' last='Reynolds'] has taken the leadership role left by Giles and has the Rams at 4-1 in senate league play with their only loss being by two points to Glenville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">12:15 P.M. Saint Ignatius Vs Brunswick</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A game I'm very excited to watch, these two teams can really score the basketball. Brunswick has a pair of Division II commits in [player_tooltip player_id='2047487' first='Quinn' last='Barnett'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1708729' first='Tommy' last='Morgan']. Their headline prospect is Sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1708688' first='Trey' last='Drexler'] and this trio is surrounded by shooters to fill out the rotation. Saint Ignatius has a Division I point guard to match Drexler in [player_tooltip player_id='1491439' first='Quinn' last='Woidke']. Combine that with the size of the Wildcats frontcourt with [player_tooltip player_id='1491436' first='Reece' last='Robinson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1426737' first='Samuel' last='Springer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1432034' first='Damon' last='Friery'], and size could be the deciding factor in this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2:00 P.M. Akron STVM Vs Lutheran West</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Akron powerhouse STVM is in a rebuilding year but the Irish are still a tough out as they've challenged some of the top teams in the state. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1919270' first='Jayson' last='Walker'] has been a steady presence alongside Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1691977' first='John' last='Whorton'] and Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2288382' first='DeCarlo' last='Prince'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2288383' first='Rayshawn' last='Hamilton']. Lutheran West puts their perfect record on the line. The [program_tooltip program_id='2078639' first='Mac' last='Basketball'] trio that dominated on the Prep Hoops Circuit of [player_tooltip player_id='1477054' first='Jayson' last='Levis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1352458' first='Derek' last='Fairley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1889826' first='Tino' last='Yli-Junnila'] bring senior experience around the Meyer twins in the paint. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2204949' first='Kendyll' last='Compton'] might have the most long term upside of any prospect in this game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3:45 P.M. Saint Edward Vs Centerville</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Centerville has built themselves up as one of the top public school programs in Ohio and get a battle with Saint Edward, a team they beat on the road in 2021 as their final regular season tune-up until a state championship run. They'll meet again in Cleveland but this time on a 'neutral' floor at John Carroll University. Centerville is led by [player_tooltip player_id='1222348' first='Jonathan' last='Powell'], a Xavier commit, and [player_tooltip player_id='1426736' first='Baboucarr' last='Njie'] in the paint. Twins Ethan and [player_tooltip player_id='1432042' first='Eli' last='Greenberg'] are other key players to watch for the Elks. On the Eagles side, it's about depth for their senior class. Going down the line you see college level players on their roster with so many names to watch. I'll be curious how [player_tooltip player_id='1494485' first='Max' last='McClellan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1383253' first='Wendell' last='Henry'] battle in the paint against Njie and also how [player_tooltip player_id='2288535' first='Joey' last='Scarpitti'] plays after a strong week in California during Christmas break.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5:30 P.M. Garfield Heights Vs Western Reserve Academy</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A battle I'm excited for, Garfield Heights is coming off a huge win over Richmond Heights. Superstar point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1705948' first='Marcus' last='Johnson'] leads the Bulldogs with a strong senior class of Kent State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1421143' first='Deandre' last='Jones'], Canisius commit [player_tooltip player_id='1222357' first='Carter' last='Jackson'] and Fairmont State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1222346' first='Calvin' last='Little']. Western Reserve has a Marquette duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1173989' first='Royce' last='Parham'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1747653' first='Damarius' last='Owens'] that will give Garfield Heights problems in the paint. Combine that with our top 2025 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1432035' first='Nikola' last='Bundalo'] and Western Reserve is loaded with talent. This should be a great battle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">7:00 P.M. Richmond Heights Vs Lutheran East</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These teams met last season and Richmond Heights came out on top and Lutheran East will be looking for revenge. Another game where a highly regarded prospect is playing against his old school, [player_tooltip player_id='1705953' first='Tj' last='Crumble'] faces his former team. Crumble is joined by [player_tooltip player_id='1432015' first='Dorian' last='Jones'], DeErick Barber and [player_tooltip player_id='1432020' first='Demarris' last='Winters Jr'] for a stacked Richmond Heights squad that has taken on some of the top teams in the country. They face a Lutheran East squad that is experienced with Michigan State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1222354' first='Jesse' last='McCulloch'] playing as good of basketball as anybody in Ohio right now. Combine that with seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1421137' first='Ronald' last='Taylor'], [player_tooltip player_id='1955296' first='Anthony' last='Bruce'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1480840' first='Chauncey' last='Brashers'] and this one should go down to the wire.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->