Cleveland Play by Play Classic Preview
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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…
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Continue ReadingThe 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.
10:30 A.M. Cleveland Rhodes Vs Maple Heights
The headline story for this game is Kenyon Giles Kenyon Giles 6'0" | CG Maple Heights | 2024 State OH 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 King Young King Young 5'8" | PG Maple Heights | 2027 OH . For Rhodes, Antwon Reynolds Antwon Reynolds 6'2" | SG Rhodes | 2024 State OH 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.
12:15 P.M. Saint Ignatius Vs Brunswick
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 Quinn Barnett Quinn Barnett 6'2" | SG Brunswick | 2024 State OH and Tommy Morgan Tommy Morgan 6'5" | SF Brunswick | 2024 State OH . Their headline prospect is Sophomore point guard Trey Drexler Trey Drexler 5'10" | PG Brunswick | 2026 State OH and this trio is surrounded by shooters to fill out the rotation. Saint Ignatius has a Division I point guard to match Drexler in Quinn Woidke Quinn Woidke 6'1" | CG Saint Ignatius | 2025 State OH . Combine that with the size of the Wildcats frontcourt with Reece Robinson Reece Robinson 6'7" | PF Saint Ignatius | 2024 State OH , Samuel Springer Samuel Springer 6'7" | PF Saint Ignatius | 2024 State OH and Damon Friery Damon Friery 6'9" | PF Saint Ignatius | 2025 State #97 Nation OH , and size could be the deciding factor in this one.
2:00 P.M. Akron STVM Vs Lutheran West
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 Jayson Walker Jayson Walker 5'10" | CG STVM | 2024 State OH has been a steady presence alongside Junior John Whorton John Whorton 6'8" | C STVM | 2025 State OH and Sophomores DeCarlo Prince DeCarlo Prince 6'3" | SF STVM | 2026 OH and Rayshawn Hamilton Rayshawn Hamilton 6'4" | SF STVM | 2026 State OH . Lutheran West puts their perfect record on the line. The Mac Basketball trio that dominated on the Prep Hoops Circuit of Jayson Levis Jayson Levis 6'1" | CG Lutheran West | 2024 State OH , Derek Fairley Derek Fairley 6'1" | CG Lutheran West | 2024 State OH and Tino Yli-Junnila Tino Yli-Junnila 6'5" | SF Lutheran West | 2024 State OH bring senior experience around the Meyer twins in the paint. Sophomore Kendyll Compton Kendyll Compton 6'5" | SG Lutheran West | 2026 State OH might have the most long term upside of any prospect in this game.
3:45 P.M. Saint Edward Vs Centerville
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 Jonathan Powell Jonathan Powell 6'5" | SG Centerville | 2024 State #164 Nation OH , a Xavier commit, and Baboucarr Njie Baboucarr Njie 6'5" | PF Centerville | 2024 State OH in the paint. Twins Ethan and Eli Greenberg Eli Greenberg 6'3" | CG Centerville | 2025 State OH 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 Max McClellan Max McClellan 6'5" | PF Saint Edward | 2024 State OH and Wendell Henry Wendell Henry 6'5" | PF St. Edward - Lakewood, OH | 2024 State OH battle in the paint against Njie and also how Joey Scarpitti Joey Scarpitti 5'10" | PG Saint Edward | 2024 State OH plays after a strong week in California during Christmas break.
5:30 P.M. Garfield Heights Vs Western Reserve Academy
A battle I’m excited for, Garfield Heights is coming off a huge win over Richmond Heights. Superstar point guard Marcus Johnson Marcus Johnson 6'1" | PG Garfield Heights | 2026 State OH leads the Bulldogs with a strong senior class of Kent State commit Deandre Jones Deandre Jones 6'8" | PF Garfield Heights | 2024 State #266 Nation OH , Canisius commit Carter Jackson Carter Jackson 6'2" | SG Garfield Heights | 2024 State OH and Fairmont State commit Calvin Little Calvin Little 6'2" | PG Garfield Heights | 2024 State OH . Western Reserve has a Marquette duo of Royce Parham Royce Parham 6'8" | PF Western Reserve Academy | 2024 State #53 Nation OH and Damarius Owens Damarius Owens 6'7" | SF Western Reserve Academy | 2024 State #61 Nation OH that will give Garfield Heights problems in the paint. Combine that with our top 2025 prospect Nikola Bundalo Nikola Bundalo 6'9" | PF Western Reserve Academy | 2025 State #22 Nation OH and Western Reserve is loaded with talent. This should be a great battle.
7:00 P.M. Richmond Heights Vs Lutheran East
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, Tj Crumble faces his former team. Crumble is joined by Dorian Jones Dorian Jones 6'4" | SG Richmond Heights | 2025 State #61 Nation OH , DeErick Barber and Demarris Winters Jr Demarris Winters Jr 6'3" | SG Richmond Heights | 2025 State OH 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 Jesse McCulloch Jesse McCulloch 6'9" | PF Lutheran East | 2024 State #136 Nation OH playing as good of basketball as anybody in Ohio right now. Combine that with seniors Ronald Taylor Ronald Taylor 6'5" | SF Lutheran East | 2024 State OH , Anthony Bruce Anthony Bruce 5'10" | PG Lutheran East | 2024 State OH and Chauncey Brashers Chauncey Brashers 6'0" | PG Lutheran East | 2024 State OH and this one should go down to the wire.