SPIRE facing Northeast Ohio teams this week

Team will face Bay as part of Vermilion Tip-Off Classic

Those intrigued by the arrival of LaMelo Ball to Northeast Ohio won’t have to wait much longer — or travel far — to get a glimpse of the younger brother of Lakers guard Lonzo Ball.

LaMelo Ball and the SPIRE basketball team will play Garfield Heights on Nov. 29 at Euclid High School. Tipoff is 7 p.m.

SPIRE is also scheduled to play in the Vermilion TipOff Classic on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. SPIRE will face Bay at 6 p.m. Nov. 30.

Garfield Heights coach Sonny Johnson told The News-Herald the game was moved to Euclid to accommodate what is expected to be a large crowd. Garfield Heights’ gym capacity is about 1,400, according to Johnson. Euclid’s gym holds more than 3,000.

“It’s the first time (Northeast Ohio) fans will get a look at ‘Melo Ball,’ “said Johnson. “We wanted to play the game at a bigger gym. We’re expecting a good crowd.”

Ball, a 6-foot-7 teenager who dropped out of Chino Hills (Calif.) high school and then played last winter in Lithuania, was unveiled as the newest member of the SPIRE basketball team on Nov. 9.

He will attend high school classes at nearby Grand River Academy, and train and play basketball for the SPIRE basketball squad under the tutelage of former NBA player Jermaine Jackson.

Two opponents of SPIRE have reportedly dropped games against the school — St. Benedicts Prep in New Jersey and Oak Hill Academy. Johnson has no reservations playing SPIRE, and after clearing the game with the Ohio High School Athletic Association, the game’s a go for Nov. 29.

“We’re a young team, so we’re excited to play in a game like this,” said Johnson.

Tickets are on sale at Garfield Heights Nov. 26 to Nov. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, and at Euclid’s school board office lobby Nov. 26 to Nov. 28 each day from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 2:30 to 4 p.m. and 4:30 to 6 p.m.