Preseason First Team All-Cleveland

<p>Considering<strong> team success</strong> and one’s <strong>individual influence</strong> towards winning, who will be the five faces of Cleveland basketball this season?</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/john-hugley-iv/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">John Hugley</a> (2020) | 6-9 C | Brush</strong></h6> <p>Hugley is the only 2020 prospect in Ohio committed to a power five conference, inking his pledge to Pittsburgh this week. It's also likely he will be over 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, the other piece why I'd mark Hugley as the preseason Mr. Basketball favorite. </p> <p>Hugley will be matchup nightmare with his size. His Brush teammates are rather complementary, too. He won't need to defend stretch forwards every game because of freshman 6-foot-7 forward Tyler Williams. They also deploy several standout wing defenders on this team. Although Hugley is sure to see double-teams in the post, the other Brush Arcs will score if left alone. </p> <p>Bottom line: Both Hugley and Brush have extremely high ceilings. His individual floor, too, would still be a First Team All-Ohio stat-line. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/grant-huffman/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Grant Huffman</a> (2020) | 6-4 SG | St. Edward<br /> </strong></h6> <p>Huffman captains a St. Edward team looking to make their third state tournament appearance during his four years. Meaning, the Davidson signee returns as the most experienced guard in Ohio, surrounded by several peers who tout Division I talent in their own right. </p> <p>He averaged 14.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists last season, none of which led the team. It's not likely he will rewrite the statistical record books this season either. But Huffman's fingerprints will be easily traced on every win — of which there will be many. In other words, his leadership, playmaking, control of pace, and defensive impact are more represented in the win column rather than counting stats. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/luka-eller/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Luka Eller</a> (2020) | 6-7 PF | Lake Catholic</strong></h6> <p>Eller was Second Team All-Ohio as a sophomore, First Team as a junior. It's realistic that he raises the bar again as the state's Division II Player of the Year. Lake Catholic will finish well-over .500, first of all. As far as individual output, this Miami (OH) signee is coming back stronger after averaging 24.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.5 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game as a junior. It also helps that defenses would be idiotic to key entirely on Eller, who runs with fellow LC senior Luke Frazier, a dynamic creator ranked no. 2 in the 2020 class.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/luke-howes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Luke Howes</a> (2020) | 6-0 PG | Fairview</strong></h6> <p>Fairview finished 22-3 last season, powered by Howes' filthy season averages of 22.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 3.5 steals. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/fairview-warriors-(fairview-park,oh)/basketball/schedule.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">This year's schedule</a> is significantly tougher, but the Walsh signee should keep them close to 20 wins once again.</p> <p>His individual value to the team cannot be overstated. He <em>is</em> Fairview basketball right now. A game-changing point-of-attack defender who somehow finished as their second-best rebounder last season (last year's rebounding leader, Noah Mesaros, crucially returns). Howes is a threat to score or creatively dish on the attack. He can create a shot from pretty much anywhere on the court, too. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/seth-wilson/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Seth Wilson</a> (2021) | 6-1 PG | Lorain</strong></h6> <p>Wilson is the Mr. Basketball candidate that we all have been sleeping on. Lorain will once again find a way to be one of the best teams in the area. They have experience, toughness, and dynamic guard play.</p> <p>What's more, Wilson gives them a chance to make a tournament run. He scores under duress, a trait that will come in handy late in close games. Terrific scorer in one-on-one situations, whether it's 3-point step-backs or physical finishes. Wilson can also defend the wing or point guard, often making opponents uncomfortable with pressure. All in all, he figures to be freakishly productive in this high-powered, up-tempo attack. </p>