2025 Stock Risers from Cleveland Play By Play Classic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cleveland Play By Play Classic brought out 14 teams to John Carroll University and in this article we'll break down the five senior stock risers from the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2703742"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677c8d859b63c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cleveland Central Catholic got a gritty victory over Hawken and James was a key piece for that victory. An athletic big with size, James has the ability to score in the paint, rebound and block shots. I was impressed with the motor James played with throughout the game and the Ironmen have been an impressive under the radar squad in northeast Ohio to start the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1617867"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677c8d859b698"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Vickerstaff almost single-handily carried Glenville to a victory with a tremendous performance. I noticed Vickerstaff has added a lot of strength since the last time I watched him on the Prep Hoops Circuit in the summer. Combine that with his ability to stretch the floor with a handful of 3-pointers and his size, Vickerstaff looked like an intriguing small college prospect. Another aspect of his game I was impressed with was screen setting. While many players will avoid contact, Vickerstaff sets hard screens and then looks to score using the pick and pop style of play. Despite the tough loss, Glenville is still viewed as the favorite in the Cleveland Senate league.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1691976"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677c8d859b6e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lutheran West had a balanced scoring effort with no standout performer emerging until the fourth quarter. That's when Meyer really turned it on with numerous finishes at the rim by using his craft, size and athleticism. Meyer can finish with either hand and has the explosiveness to finish above the rim and his slam dunk capped off a tough victory. His versatility defensively also makes him an interesting recruit at the college level. If the Longhorns can continue to spread the wealth offensively and knock down shots, they'll be a tough team to beat in Division III.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2434200"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677c8d859b728"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I was impressed with how Thomas impacted the game in a variety of ways, not needing the basketball to make an impact. Thomas scored off a cut, an offensive rebound and had an acrobatic layup at the rim. He was also flying around the court defensively, causing chaos and steals. With the amount of plays he made in a high profile game, Thomas looks like a solid small college recruit who will be a key piece for the Wildcats as they try and run it back as state champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2047484"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677c8d859b76c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A player I had not seen since the spring and it's clear Hines has made some pretty significant strides in multiple areas. An impressive shot blocker, Hines did a nice job of contesting shots without fouling and swatting shots away. Hines also scored off two separate BLOB plays, one set him up for an open dunk and the other was a mid-range shot. If Hines can protect the rim, rebound and play tough in the paint on both sides, he'll be a crucial part of the Bulldogs attempt to win a state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->