Lake Erie League (LEL) Preview
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The LEL features mainly Division I and some Division II programs from the Cleveland area. The league has had some District qualifying teams in the past, but didn’t produce any in 2022. Last year’s champion Shaker Heights will face a…
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Continue ReadingThe LEL features mainly Division I and some Division II programs from the Cleveland area. The league has had some District qualifying teams in the past, but didn’t produce any in 2022. Last year’s champion Shaker Heights will face a task of trying to repeat with teams like Cleveland Heights and Garfield Heights both bringing back loads of talent.
- Cleveland Heights– The Tigers were the #2 team in the LEL last year losing just against Shaker Heights. While they lose a good group of seniors, Heights should be able to take an outright title this year with their returning talent. The guard play will be both experienced and talented with the return of seniors Shemarion Hardy Shemarion Hardy 6'1" | PG Cleveland Heights | 2023 State OH , Rayvelle Duncan Rayvelle Duncan 6'3" | SG Cleveland Heights | 2023 State OH , and Rondell Pollard. The addition of Braylyn Irby Braylyn Irby 6'3" | SG Cleveland Heights | 2025 State OH (So) from Trinity gives the Tigers their height and athleticism on the wing.
- Garfield Heights– The Bulldogs really struggled last year and underperformed considering the talent they had on their roster. 4 key players, including Sonny Johnson Jr, are now gone due to graduation. However, the Bulldogs certainly reloaded with the addition of several transfers and freshmen. Calvin Little Calvin Little 6'2" | PG Garfield Heights | 2024 State OH (Jr) is one of the bigger names Garfield gets as the junior guard comes over from St. Ignatius. He will make an immediate impact along with Germainn Marshall (So) and Deandre Jones Deandre Jones 6'8" | PF Garfield Heights | 2024 State #266 Nation OH (Jr) who join from Brush and Warrensville Heights. Marcus Johnson (Fr) joins Garfield and is considered to be one of the best 2026s in the country and state. Jyles Brandon Jyles Brandon 6'1" | SG Garfield Heights | 2023 State OH (Sr) and Tommie Benn Tommie Benn 6'0" | PG Garfield Heights | 2023 State OH (Sr) come back and bring experience in the Garfield program.
- Maple Heights– The Mustangs have a nice core coming back that should allow them to be one of the better teams in the LEL this year. Seniors Jayvion Moore Jayvion Moore 6'6" | PF Maple Heights | 2023 State OH and Xavier Peterson Xavier Peterson 6'4" | SF Maple Heights | 2023 State OH headline the returning production as well as Davon Aniton (So). The addition of Darius Davis Darius Davis 5'10" | PG Maple Heights | 2023 State OH (Sr) from Parma adds more to the Mustangs rotation and makes them a very sneaky team to watch during the year.
- Shaker Heights– The Red Raiders were last year’s league champs but will be missing one of the league’s best players in Danny Young Jr. The return of Kellon Smith Kellon Smith 6'1" | CG Shaker Heights | 2023 State OH (Sr) certainly helps alleviate this loss but there’s no denying Shaker will look a little different in 2023.
- Shaw– Turned some heads with some of their wins last year although they will be without a major piece of their team. Showed growth and now can prepare for continued success.
- Lorain– Titans have an intriguing prospect back in Asiah Kielian (Jr) but they struggled last year and I need to see more depth beyond Kielian to trust a steep jump.
- Bedford– Was near the bottom of the league last year and not returning enough to keep up.
- Warrensville Heights– Won 1 game a year ago and lose arguably their best prospect from that team to transfer.