The Scholastic Play by Play Classics have been staples of the highschool basketball season all up and down the East Coast because the mid-90s. Founder Jeremy Treatman was one of many first to place LeBron James on heart stage, showcasing him as an underclassman; from his house in Philly, to Cleveland, to Columbus, to North Carolina, and all the way in which in between, Treatman has held occasions which have supplied way more NBA expertise than simply the King himself.
LaMelo Ball, Tyreke Evans, Kobe Bryant, Rajon Rondo, Dwight Howard, OJ Mayo, Jameer Nelson, Kyle Lowry and a handful of different NBA starters have all put their abilities on show at one Play By Play or one other, actually displaying that this is among the nation’s premier occasions for followers to get an early take a look at guys who will quickly be doing work within the League.
Cleveland play-by-play basic MVP pic.twitter.com/3A8zzj2bpJ
— Mekhi Asberry (@MekhiAsberry28) January 25, 2026
Now in its twenty seventh yr, the Cleveland Play By Play Basic introduced a three-game slate that had The Land rocking. All video games featured top-10 ranked packages within the state, culminating with an electrical matchup of Lutheran East (ranked No. 1 in Northeast Ohio no matter class and No. 1 in state Division V ballot) in opposition to host Garfield Heights (#2 ranked no matter class in Northeast Ohio and No. 1 in state Division III).
Regardless of an enormous snowstorm, the environment was electrical, town got here out, and in the end it was Lutheran East who walked away with a 64-55 W in entrance of the sold-out crowd.
Right here’s a take a look at among the gamers who shined on the Cleveland Play By Play Basic:
Dylan Zeigler, 6’3, PG/SG, Lutheran East HS (Ohio), 2028
The most effective sophomore in Cleveland (and arguably the state of Ohio) backed up his popularity on the Cleveland Play by Play Basic. In a position to play both guard spot, Dylan Zeigler is a shot creator who prospers taking part in by contact, can simply create separation to get his personal shot, and is quickly enhancing as a playmaker for others.
Already holding gives from Creighton, undefeated Nebraska, Stanford, and Ohio State, the consensus top-75 recruit is taking pictures up the nationwide rankings and is in dialog with Kam Mercer for high sophomore within the Buckeye State.
Marcus Johnson, 6’3, PG/SG, Garfield Heights HS (Ohio), 2026
It wasn’t the perfect evening for the state’s high senior, however Marcus Johnson nonetheless gave the sold-out crowd a glimpse as to why he’s Ohio’s reigning Mr. Basketball. Lutheran East coach Sam Liggins deployed a platoon-style protection on Johnson, mixing face guards, double groups, and blitzes all through Saturday’s affair. The electrical lefty nonetheless managed to complete with 23 factors, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds within the loss.
The pure scorer was excellent coming off of screens in both path, has among the finest contact within the nation on his floater within the paint, and has a 3-point vary approaching half-court. South Carolina’s highest-ranked recruit is vying to characterize Ohio’s conventional packages (Spire and Western Reserve Academy ought to each have gamers chosen) within the McDonald’s All-American Sport and has been taking part in the half all through his senior yr.
Landon Evans, 6’5, SG/SF, Pickerington Central (Ohio), 2027
A jack of all trades, Landon Evans impacted the sport in an abundance of how throughout his 21-point, MVP outing in Pickerington Central’s 63-53 win over Akron Garfield. The lengthy swingman was in a position to defend all 5 positions for stretches, had an excellent change of tempo with explosive takes to the rim, and was extremely lively on each ends of the ground.
Holding a number of mid-major gives, Evans continues to venture upward as a prospect, particularly as his bounce shot continues to enhance.
Mekhi Roddy, 6’1, PG, Reynoldsburg HS (Ohio), 2028
Whereas there have been loads of others who have been taking part in on the rim, Mekhi Roddy was essentially the most constant participant on the ground for both group, regardless of simply being a sophomore. The sturdy lead guard has easy vary as a shooter, can play by contact on the rim, and is aware of how one can throw defenders off steadiness together with his change of velocity.
His 23-point MVP displaying got here fully throughout the movement of the sport, and his refined model of play ought to enable him to shine within the EYBL.
Jorden Bowens, 6’6, SF, Reynoldsburg HS (Ohio), 2026
One of many increased upside long-term wings within the state of Ohio, Jorden „Jordie“ Bowens, is simply scratching the floor of the prospect that he can develop into down the highway. The slithery wing is a game-changing athlete who performs above the rim on each ends, can create his personal shot off the bounce, and is frequently enhancing as a 3-point shooter.
The package deal of versatility, athleticism, and uncooked expertise that he gives makes him an excellent get on the mid-major degree for Jeff Boals and his employees at Ohio College.
Mekhi Asberry, 6’1, Euclid HS (Ohio), 2028
The MVP for Euclid all through their upset win over Reynoldsburg was Mekhi Asberry, a fearless scoring level guard. Asberry is a continuing menace as a 3-point shooter together with his toes set, can end with creativity on the rack, and is rising as a facilitator.
Already proudly owning a proposal from UNLV, Asberry is the subsequent big-time prospect whom coach Quentin Rogers (previously of Ohio energy Richmond Heights and All Ohio Crimson) has developed.
