Top guards from NEO Christmas Classic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The NEO Christmas Classic had five games on Thursday with all the action going down at Garfield Heights High School. With the winter storm that swept through Ohio, the games scheduled for Friday were moved to Tuesday, December 27th at the same location. This article will break down the top guard performers from the first day of action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1477054"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Levis is quickly becoming one of my favorite players in the state to watch and continues to perform at a high level. Levis plays like he grew up at the park, playing against older and more physical competition with the flair of a street baller but the toughness of a winning point guard. Making winning play after winning play on Thursday night, Levis just gets stuff done on the court. His defining play was an and-1 shot where he got the defender in the air and made a circus shot off the rim that fell, nothing that you can practice with reps in the gym, but by playing games. There are some physical limitations which probably holds Levis back from being a Division I guard, but he's a GREAT high school point guard and Division II schools will likely fight over him during the spring and summer months playing for both Lutheran West in June and MAC Basketball on the Prep Hoops Circuit in April, May and July.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1352455"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"I would usually advise kids not to publicly talk trash online before a big game because it could blow up in your face. Well Hardy talked that talk and walked that walk, willing Cleveland Heights to a convincing victory over city rival Lutheran East. Hardy was awesome in this contest, making some tough shots early and then letting his passing ability set up teammates for easy buckets. On the defensive end, Hardy was applying excellent ball pressure on the Falcons guards, not giving them a chance to breathe. The biggest battle for Hardy is bringing this energy every game of the season because he showed on Thursday night what he's capable of, now it's time to replicate it game in and game out.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1494497"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Pollard was another Cleveland Heights guard who gave Lutheran East fits with his quickness, ability to get to the paint and perimeter shooting ability. Pollard knocked down some first quarter 3's to erase an early deficit and set the tone for the Tigers throughout the game. I also was impressed with how Pollard handled the traps and extra pressure Lutheran East sent once they fell behind.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1432029"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The leading scorer for his team, Irby was efficient in the victory with 17 points. Knocking down spot-up 3-point looks, making consistent jumpers is going to be huge for his development. Irby also attacked closeouts and finished a few times around the rim using patience and touch at the basket. Playing next to so many seniors, Irby continues to look more confident each time I watch him play and is really starting to figure out how to make an impact at the varsity level against the elite teams in Ohio. I hope this confidence carries over to the spring and summer for whatever grassroots program Irby suits up for.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1711542"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"A career high 30+ point outburst by Clay was the top scoring individual game from the day. Everything was working for Clay offensively, knocking down 3-point shots off the bounce and catch, driving to the lane and finishing with either hand and making his free-throws. A really complete scoring performance that fueled the Titans offensive explosion against Benedictine.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63a61caecd52a"} /-->