Cleveland Play By Play Stock Risers

The Cleveland Play By Play Classic featured five games at Euclid High School for a day filled of top talent from across northeast Ohio. In this article I'll break down some stock risers from the action.    Playing in showcase style events both days this weekend, Monroe has impressed down in Columbus and back up in Cleveland. A physical wing forward who has the frame to bully players in the post and on drives, Monroe started the game with a turnaround jumper. Starting to use his physicality more consistently, Monroe had some power layup finishes where he was too big and strong for the defense to stop. Making a nice lefty finish, being able to consistently finish with either hand is a critical skill for Monroe to continue to master at the rim. A prospect who has always had a lot of natural ability, it's nice to see Monroe put forth some consistent impact performances against quality competition for Lutheran West this weekend.     Rhodes is a scrappy group who currently sit unbeaten in Cleveland Senate league play. Story is an undersized two guard who can attack a closeout, make quick moves off the dribble and knock down shots from the corners. Rhodes has a nice mix of seniors and younger pieces contributing this season so while they have experience, they'll also have a nice core to bring back next season to once again contend for conference and district titles.     Glenville has been the powerhouse program recently in the Cleveland Senate league and they might just start to get things rolling with a big win over Hawken on Sunday. Hobson Jr is a lefty wing who knocked down shots off the catch, had some jump stop finishes in traffic and plays bigger than his listed height of 6'2 thanks to his length and frame. A player who isn't afraid to do the dirty work, Hobson Jr will be a key player if Glenville wants to make another deep postseason run.     While it has been a bit of a struggle for Akron STVM on the offensive end of the court, defensively the Irish have been elite this season. Prince is one of a handful of talented defenders on their roster with the physicality, quickness and positional size to defend multiple positions and body types. Prince also got going in the fourth quarter with a couple buckets off steals and finally started hitting a couple jumpers as well. A naturally talented and athletic wing, Prince is one of the better players at his position that remain uncommitted in Ohio's 2026 class.     Coming in from Fort Wayne, Indiana, the Belcher brothers add another dimension to the Garfield Heights roster with legit size and strength on the interior. Belcher started the game off with a bang as he had multiple blocks on the first defensive possession alone and rolled to the rim for a two-hand jam in the opening minutes. With his massive frame and physical tools, Belcher is a scholarship talent and with Ohio lacking with bigs of his size, Belcher could play a huge role in a potential playoff push for the Bulldogs who are expecting to end their season at UD Arena in the state title game.     Making a huge leap from Junior to Senior season, Davis has been the beneficiary of five rotation pieces transferring out of Lutheran East this off-season. Now a starter for the Falcons, Davis provides value with his soft hands, strength and floor spacing as a shooter. This level of improvement has really caught my eyes as Davis has gone from a fun guy to watch come off the bench to an impact starter on one of the best teams in northeast Ohio. While the high major prospects have gotten a lot of the shine at Lutheran East over the years, the program is only as good as players like Davis who are selfless and waited their turn to contribute to state title contending teams.     One of the fastest rising seniors in Ohio, Owens looks like a prospect who in 3-4 years will be a totally different player. Moving like a dude latterly, Owens is just so fluid for a prospect of his size. Combine that with a couple rim shaking dunks and the ability to shoot 3-pointers, Owens is a kid who I could see playing at the Division I level way down the line. He still has a lot of room to grow but based on his current upward trajectory, a big year at a post grad or JUCO program could have Owens on a lot of recruiting boards in the near future.

The Cleveland Play By Play Classic featured five games at Euclid High School for a day filled of top talent from across northeast Ohio. In this article I'll break down some stock risers from the action.