Titans impress in Rising Stars showcase

If Lorain fans were worried about the future, they shouldn’t be.

Devone Grant and Taevon Pierre-Louis showed the Titans’ program is in capable hands.

Grant and Pierre-Louis each scored 21 points, but it wasn’t enough as the White team fell, 123-119, in the 3rd Coast Hoops Rising Stars game April 15 at Lorain High School. Shaker Heights’ Christian Guess was named the game’s MVP with 37 points.

“It was fun,” Grant said. “It was a lot of exposure and a lot of competition with players from different cities. It gave us a chance to showcase our talents”

Though Grant was playing in his own gym, it took him a bit to get warmed up in terms of scoring. But he did fine in the rebounds and steals. The scoring came in the second half as he found his range from behind the arc. Grant hit three in a row to boost his point total. He also flashed his ability to dis the ball, making several nice passes for assists.

Playing against some of the best players in Northeast Ohio, Grant relished the experience and the opportunity to get better.

“It means a lot to play against (competition). We’re all getting better and we see most of them during the LEL (Lake Erie League).”

While Grant showed off his 3-point range, PierreLouis showed why he will be a force in the paint next season. The sophomore threw down a couple of two-handed slams, while showing his ability to handle the ball at times.

The 6-foot-6 sophomore was pleased he got a chance to show his abilities.

“I wanted to show my ability to dunk and my athleticism,” Pierre-Louis said. “It was fun playing with better guys. Everyone can go and all of us were just competing.

“Anytime we’re in the gym; we are getting better”

Fans were also treated to the play of Elyria Catholic’s Dorian Crutcher. The junior scored 30 points by doing the little things like getting offensive rebounds and put backs.

He also showed some range by hitting two 3s. Perhaps most impressive was his leaping ability as he threw down a twohand dunk.

Playing against Bay’s R.J. Sunahara (16 points), gave Crutcher an extra boost to throw down his dunk.

“I wanted to show that we have a strong conference … and we can play,” Crutcher said of the Great Lakes Conference. “I think it motivated me a little bit more. We play (Bay) twice a year and it will help us out in the long run.”

Showing off his ability to dunk, Crutcher hopes to be able to do so in next season during a game.

Sunahara threw down a handful of dunks, one of which drew oohs and aahs from the crowd.

Perfectly timing a missed shot, Sunahara followed up the miss with a thunderous two-handed slam. The 6-6 junior also garnered a handful of rebounds.

Elyria’s Deviian Williams was a late addition, and he made his presence felt. He scored 10 points, but also competed in the slam dunk contest. Though he didn’t make it to the finals, he had two impressive dunks.

During the 3-point contest, Elyria’s Antonio Blanton topped Elyria Catholic’s Dorian Crutcher for the title, connecting on 17 3s in the final to narrowly top Crutcher’s 16.