Let the debate begin: Garfield Heights tops list of preseason Top Five teams in NEO
Here we go.
The Ohio High School basketball season tips off on Dec. 1. The days are shorter, the snow is about to fly and soon the thump of the rock and squeak of rubber-soles on wood floors will fill area prep gyms in the Buckeye state.
No area may be richer in individual talent and strong teams than Northeast Ohio, which features Lorain, Cuyahoga, Lake and Summit counties.
It is from this geographical area that I present to you my NEO Top 5.
Let the debate begin.
No. 1 Garfield Heights
Coach: Sonny Johnson (14th season):
Last year’s record: 22-5.
If the Bulldogs don’t win a state title this year under Sonny Johnson they may never. They will start five players who are all Division I college prospects, including junior transfer Alonzo Gaffney, who at 6’9’ this summer on the AAU circuit played himself into the discussion of top 20 players in the nation for the Class of 2019. Gaffney won a state title at Villa-Angela-St. Joe’s as a tenth grader but elected to transfer to Garfield Heights for his junior year.
Joining Gaffney on the front line will be 6’9” junior Brison Waller, a long athletic big, who has offers from Pittsburgh and Kansas. College offers for Gaffney run the gamut of almost every blue blood program you can think of. Julian Whiteside, a 5’10” senior guard, who started a year ago, also returns for the Bulldogs, as does senior big Donovan Forte who has signed to play at Division I Jacksonville State.
Johnson will have to mix in transfer senior point guard Alex Heath, an all-district caliber performer, as well as Keandre Graves, a 6-3 transfer from Lutheran East. Look for freshman point guard Meechie Johnson to make an impression early. He’s received much hype coming into the season. The 5-10 ninth grader played in some of the highest level AAU competition for his age group this summer and thrived.
No. 2 Lakewood St. Edward
Coach: Eric Flannery: (22nd season)
Last year’s record: 23-6
The Eagles have a trio of sophomores who all project out to play at the Division I college level. That group is led by Grant Huffman, a point guard, who is rated the No. 6 player in the state by prephoops. He’ll be joined by Montorie Foster, a 6’1” guard, who prephoop ranks at No. 4 in the class in the state, and 6’6” sophomore Devontae Blanton, who checks in at No. 10 in the state.
They’ll be challenged out of the gate against an improving Lakewood program
No. 3 Shaker Heights
Coach: Danny Young (10th season)
Last year’s record: 12-13
The Red Raiders should return to the stable to top programs in the area after losing season a year ago. Senior guard Dale Bonner at 6’3” earns raves from local coaches and has signed at Fairmont State. He’ll be joined by 6’6” Christian Guess, a senior wing, who is drawing the interest of several mid-major Division I programs and was impressive against some of the nation’s best talent during the summer AAU season. Those two alone make Shaker a tough matchup. They also have Dakota Cochran, a 6’3” sophomore, 6’3” senior Najee Hardaway and 6’6” junior Kevin Bishop.
No. 4 Solon
Coach: Tony DeCesare (fourth season)
Last year’s record: 17-8
The Comets offer a team stacked with experienced guards that can all shoot and handle the ball, which makes them tough to pressure and defend. Add the fact they have experience and you are a looking at a very dangerous team.
Sincere Carry, a 6’0” senior guard, who averaged 19 ppg., a year ago, has been one of the best backcourt performers in the area since his freshman year. He’s joined by junior Michael Bekelja (12 ppg.); junior Trent Williams and 6’2” senior Ryan Bergen, a versatile performer who plays the post, but can also step out and knock down a 3.
No. 5 Brush
Coach: Chet Mason (fourth season)
Last year’s record: 18-5
On paper, these guys look to be a really tough matchup. D.J. Dial at 5’10″, has the slick handle and play-making ability you need from a top-notch point guard. Andre Harris is an athletic 6’3” guard wing who can lock down a defender and get buckets and 6’9” sophomore John Hugley is one of the top big men in state if not the Midwest in the Class of 2020.
On the outside looking in: Villa-Angela-St. Joe’s; Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary; Maple Heights; Lakewood; Cleveland Heights, Stow, Lutheran East; Cornerstone Christian; Olmsted Falls; Holy Name; Elyria Catholic; Lorain.