Boys basketball players to watch

(in alphabetical order) Shane Adamski, Sr., Wickliffe: A strong defensive player who has a nose for the ball in the paint. Does a good job of forcing turnovers and finishing.

Marlon Barnes Jr., Jr., Brush: Transferred back to Brush after a year at Ypsilanti Prep. A strong shooter from beyond the arc, but has also become a threat to drive to the basket.

Jake Bean, Jr., Cardinal: A strong 3-point shooter who connected on 40 3s and averaged 15.3points per game. Was named to third-team D-III all-district.

Sean Collins, Sr., Mentor:

A 6-foot-6forward who is as good in the paint as he is on the fast break. Also a solid defender with his length and will fight inside for rebounds, which the Cardinals will need. Jaiden Cox-Holloway, Sr., Richmond Heights: Will be relied on more in the Spartans; offense, but is more than up to the challenge with his ability beyond the arc. Also a solid defender. D-IV honorable mention All-Ohio, second-team all-district. Jake Cubbson, Jr., Perry: Recorded 233s last season while averaging 13points a game, will see a lot more touches this season. Has a nose for the ball on defense. Third team D-II all-district. Clayton Cunningham, Sr., Euclid: Can do a little bit of everything for the Panthers. The leader of a young Euclid squad averaged 17.1points, 2.8assists, 2.7steals, and made 433s last season. D-I all-district honorable mention.

JP Dragas, So., Madison: Possesses the ability to pull up from anywhere on the court and can drive with the best of them. Averaged 18.1 points a game to lead the Blue Streaks as a freshman. D-I all-district honorable mention.

Aiden Fitzgerald, Jr., Lake Catholic: At 6-foot-3, the sharpshooter provides not just great shooting prowess, but also length that will help the Cougars on defense. With an experienced lineup this season, might not have to shoulder as much of the load as the past two seasons. Third team D-II all-district. Charlie Fox, Jr., Riverside: Was strong from the 3-point line, connecting on 42attempts, but has also begun to be more competitive on his drive to the basket through traffic. Will need to develop into a leader.

Josiah Harris, Sr., Richmond Heights: The 6-7 West Virginia signee has the versatility to drive against big men and also be able to pull up for jumpers. Averaged 18.3 points, 11.5 rebounds. Second team D-IV All-Ohio, first-team all-district.

Sam Honkala, Sr., Fairport: Led the area in 3s with 59 last season and averaged 17.2points per game. Will see even more looks with an inexperienced Skippers team. D-IV All-Ohio honorable mention, second-team all-district.

Elmore James IV, Sr., Brush: Last year’s leader in points per game with 29.7 has a hard-to-stop finish once he gets to the paint. Also an underrated defender and passer. The Ohio recruit was a D-I All-Ohio first team and first team all-district Dominic Johnson, Jr., Hawken: The 5-6 guard isn’t afraid of drawing contact when driving to the bucket, but also is unselfish. Comes off a season where he averaged 7.5points a game, will be expected to help the development of a young Hawken team.

Dorian Jones, Fr., Richmond Heights: A top-three player in the class of 2025, already has offers from Cleveland State, Cincinnati and Arizona State. Has displayed the ability to drive with the best.

Hasan Jones II, Sr., Harvey: Can both deal with contact on shots, and create space for open looks. Also has good decision making and facilitating the ball around. D-I alldistrict honorable mention. Nathan Laurie, Jr., Beachwood: The lone point scorer returning from last year’s Bison team is a strong shooter from 3. Will rely on his experience when on the

Brush’s Elmore James blocks a shot against Heights last season. floor. D-III all-district honorable mention. Ramon Lescano, Sr., Kirtland: A strong defender, finished last season with 3.0 steals. Also connected on 13 3s. The Hornets will rely on his experience when their season starts. David McClain, Sr., South: A good 3-point threat, will also be looked to as one of the key distributors for the Rebels. Finished last year averaging 8.7points a game. Adisa Molton, Jr., Gilmour: Runs the Lancers’ offense and defense, and has shown the ability to find the best shot rather than settling. Recorded 8.5 points and 3.1 assists per game. D-II alldistrict honorable mention Ryan Mueller, Sr., Gilmour: The 6-foot-7 forward played a crucial role down low for the Lancers in their run to the regional finals last season. Recorded 13points and 9.3rebounds a game. D-II All-Ohio honorable mention, second-team all-district. Hayden Nahra, Sr., Mayfield: The 6-foot-6 forward did a little bit of everything last season. Averaged 18.3 points, 12.7rebounds, 4.2assists and 323-pointers. D-I third team all-district. Ethan Nowak, Jr., University: The 6-foot-7forward has range all the way past the 3-point line, making him a threat all over the floor. Also has shown good ability to pass the ball. Sean Register Jr., So., North: A 6-foot-6forward, Register adds to the already lanky Rangers. Averaged 10 points a game last season, and will be a force down low fighting for rebounds. Ayden Richmond, Sr., Geneva: A strong shooter both on the golf course and on the hardwood. Averaged 16.4 points, 4.5 rebounds a game. D-II third team all-district. Max Rolnick, Sr., AndrewsOsborne: While strong on defense, made a name on the offensive side as he led the Phoenix with 18points per game. D-IV All-Ohio honorable mention, second-team all-district Nathanael Sulka, Sr., Chardon: Can do a little bit of everything from driving in the lane to dishing impressive assists. Averaged 17.3points, 5.1assists and 6.1rebounds. D-II All-Ohio honorable mention, all-district second team. Tyler Williams, Jr., Brush: One of two 6-foot-8athletes down low for the Arcs. Has garnered D-I interest, averaged 11.3 points per game, 12.7 rebounds as well as 2.2 blocks. D-I all-district honorable mention. Antwone Woolfolk, Sr., Brush: The other 6-foot-8 player for the Arcs and Rutgers commit. Almost averaged a double-double last season with 12 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. D-I all-district honorable mention.

Anthony Yoman, Sr., Kenston:

Averaged 13.4 points and 5.2rebounds last season. A part of a very experienced Bombers lineup.

University

10: Perry

Watch list: Harvey, South, Kenston, Chagrin Falls

Crop Comments: It’s familiar faces at the top, as three of the top four teams in this year’s preseason Top of the Crop were the teams that finished in the top three spots last season. Brush returns its leading scorer in Elmore James, who averaged 29.8 points a game, both of its 6-foot-8players in Antwone Woolfolk and Tyler Williams and shooters like Trace Bishko and Andrew Jones. Add in a four-star junior in Marlon Barnes, and the Arcs begin their 2021-22 campaign atop the Top of the Crop. … Richmond Heights will be led by Josiah Harris, but also have key contributors in Jaiden Cox-Holloway and Marlon Jones. The Spartans look to make it three straight state appearances and start their campaign against Fairfield on Nov. 26. … The line between Gilmour and Mentor is thin. But the early edge goes to the Lancers. They return three starters, headlined by Ryan Mueller and Adisa Molton from last year’s regional final appearance. Mentor features three players back from last season’s state semifinal run and will need to develop chemistry quickly. … The remaining six spots are close as well. Euclid features a talented junior class and is led by senior Clayton Cunningham. The Panthers look to build off of last year’s district semifinal run. … The WRC is wide open conference with Brush now being an independent. All seven teams have a shot at the top spot. Mayfield features three players over 6-foot in its starting five, and will be strong on defense. Riverside always plays tough on defense, and have the ability to run the floor. Chardon has the talent to do well inside the paint, but will also have to keep the ship steady while it awaits the return of the football players from their postseason run. … Rounding out the Crop is new-look University and Perry. The Preppers only have one player with varsity experience, but their length should allow them to compete with most teams. Perry does return a number of players but will need to find a way to replace the production from Jaylen Anderson last season.

NEWS-HERALD FILE Warrensville