You can't mention high school football in Stark County without someone bringing up the Tigers from Massillon Washington High School. Even with all the history that has taken place between the lines inside Paul Brown Stadium, the basketball program has had its share of success as well, and Head Coach Michael Cruz  and company look ready to accept the challenge of turning around a program that has backslid over the last few seasons.

After winning the Wooster Shootout earlier in the week and finishing with a record of 7-1, the Tigers didn't slow down Saturday afternoon as they rattled off a handful of big wins. Their toughness and willingness to make the extra pass helped open the door for rising senior Jalen Kirksey. Kirksey, a 6'3 guard, is looking forward to a clean slate under Coach Cruz as he gears up for his final season. Kirksey showcased everything from transition dimes to explosive finishes at the rim, including a vicious tip dunk in traffic against Shaw from East Cleveland. 

Over the last several years, Northeast Ohio has developed into a point-guard factory that has been responsible for producing countless backcourt products. Stow Munroe-Falls junior Coryon Rice is one of the names that stands out among the pack. The 5'11, 170-pound guard has spent the early parts of his high school career running with the Ohio Basketball Club and competing with and against some of the top talent in the country. 

On Saturday, Rice would have to deal with Brush sophomore D.J. Dial and Cincinnati native Correy Long, two of the state's best in their respective classes. He rose to the challenge and showed just how good he can be when he's locked in. Rice shot the ball well and grabbed some much needed rebounds for an undermanned Bulldogs team. More importantly, Rice displayed a motor and a sense of leadership that Coach Close will need to see a lot more of come January.

To many, Northeast Ohio doesn't extend past Akron or Euclid, and as a result, there are many hoops fans in the area who don't make their way down to Canton or up north to Ashtabula County where Marcus Ernst and the Edgewood Warriors play.

Ernst, a 6'6 wing guard, has great size for his position and has the potential to stuff a stat sheet on any given night. Last season, Ernst put up averages of 17ppg, 11rpg, and 4apg . At his height, he has the ability to read areas of the floor that most players at his position are unable to visualize. After a slow start in his first game where he failed to get things going from the floor, Ernst saw his jumpshot begin to fall as the day went on and he became more comfortable in the MAC Center.