Since the early 2000s, the Lake Erie League has seen many of its members come-and-go. While only six schools remain, the LEL has proven to be one of northeast Ohio's premiere conferences, and with Lutheran East set to join in the 2017-2018 season, it appears as if the league will remain as one of the area's most competitive. 

Let's take a closer look into the league and see what to expect for the upcoming 2016-17 season!

Yahel Hill (Cleveland Heights) PG 2018

Alfonse Hale (Maple Heights) PG 2018

Brandon Rush (Warrensville Heights) PG 2019

Naz Bohanon (Lorain) WF/PF 2017

Jaylen Harris (Cleveland Heights) PF 2017 

Naz Bohanon (Lorain) 6'5 WF/PF 2017

As the first week of the season gets underway, the Lorain High football team enters week 12 and a looming matchup with (2) Dublin Jerome this Friday. Bohanon, a two-sport athlete, will have to wait a little while longer before he can join his teammates for basketball practice. On the hardwood, the 6'5 forward has been the catalyst behind the Titans' success the last three seasons, and has grown to be the team's fan-favorite. A walking double-double, Bohanon's athleticism and motor will rank him at or near the top of the area in rebounds and points scored.  

Yahel Hill (Cleveland Heights) 6'0 PG 2018

Yahel Hill is a player of few words. With his laid back demeanor, the junior chooses to let his game do all of the talking. Since the start of his high school career, Hill has earned the reputation of being one of the few pure point guards in his class. Capable of scoring the  ball in bunches or creating for teammates within the offense, Hill more times than not has the ball in his hands. On a Heights team that lacks depth at the guard spot, Hill will have take his game to the next level in order for the Tigers to live up to their expectations. With an already proven trio of forwards in the frontcourt, this team will go as far as Hill can take them. 

1. Lorain

• 2015-16 Result: Regional Semi-Finalist (22-4)

In each of the last two seasons, Lorain has watched their state championship hopes fall short in the regional tournament. Coach Rositano and company understand that this year may perhaps be their best shot yet and they set the tone early on this summer in the Earl Boykins Summer League.  Led by seniors Bohanon and Jalil Little, they would go on to win the league championship in their very first year of participating. After a month and a half of AAU, watching the Titans selfless style of basketball was refreshing. The chemistry and willingness to make the extra pass allows anyone on the floor to be a threat offensively, and with the graduation of Daviere Andrews, there will be a void to fill in the backcourt. Little and sophomore Devon Grant appear ready and able to pick up the pieces left behind by last year's senior class.

2. Cleveland Heights

• 2015-16 Result: District Semi-Finalist (9-16)

After a rough start to last season, Heights enters this upcoming season with a few question marks. With Malik Smith and Mike Petit beginning their freshman seasons in college this week, a lot of the Tigers' hopes lie on the shoulders of Jaylen Harris and Tyreke Smith, two of the area's most sought after recruits on the gridiron. The two, along with junior Grayson Green, will be asked to hold down the frontcourt as Heights aims to knock Lorain off the totem pole. One of the elite guards in the state's 2018 class, Yahel Hill will have to prove that he is capable of leading his team in the postseason. With all of the pieces in play, Heights has the opportunity to get over the hump and move on from last season's woes.

3. Maple Heights

• 2015-16 Result: District Semi-Finalist (15-9)

The Mustangs are capable of turning some heads this upcoming season. A squad that many are claiming as the area's dark horse team, Maple Heights is virtually a lock to finish somewhere in the top half of the league. While it was hard for me to give them the nod over Lorain or Cleveland Heights, Coach Schmidt and company will have plenty of opportunities to steal some games in 16-17. Junior guard Alfonse Hale was the team's leading scorer just a year ago and his number will be called early on as another strong year will be expected. Hale, known primarily for his ability to get hot from the outside, will need to grow into a leader and  efficient distributor throughout the course of the year. Senior Tyree Harris and junior Marcus Kimmie will add to the scoring punch. If the Mustangs get rolling early on, look out. 

4. Warrensville Heights

• 2015-16 Result: District Semi-Finalist (12-13)

A year ago, Warrensville Heights found themselves just two points away from reaching yet another district final. Not too bad for a team that was plagued with untimely injuries and shortcomings throughout the regular season. As the Tigers prepare for this season, they will be without Yavari Hall and Brandon Peters, the team's leading scorers and starting backcourt from last year.  Luckily for Coach Swift, he has had the luxury of watching the growth and maturation of sophomore Brandon Rush. Rush, who was thrown into the starting lineup as freshman, has had a year to get accustomed to the physicality and speed of the varsity game. The 6'0 scoring guard is our pick for breakout player of the year in the area. Senior guard Joe Vallery and blossoming big man Daquan Henderson will have to step up to the plate as the Tigers look to fight for a top spot in the league.

5. Shaw

• 2015-16 Result: Sectional Finalist (5-19)

In just a few short months, Coach Rasul seems to have the Shaw program heading back in the right direction. The Cardinals are as scrappy and as tough of a team that you will find in the Cleveland area. After winning the school's first ever hosted playoff game, the team is looking to carry over some of that momentum into the new year. Senior G'Warren Douglas is a big-time athlete and will need to be effective on both ends of the floor if the Cardinals expect to improve their record from a year ago. Juniors Alejandro Cummings-Washington and LeMaro Smith Jr. should see their production increase from last season as well.

6. Bedford

• 2015-16 Result: District Finalist (18-7)

This week was the beginning of a new era for Coach Priola and the Bearcats. Last season, we watched Daron Falkner knock down one of the biggest shots of the year as the senior's baseline runner nearly touched the ceiling before falling through the net and securing a much needed win over Lorain. Falkner was just one of a number of seniors who won't be lacing them up this year for Bedford.  With one of the school's best classes in recent memory exiting, Coach Priola and staff will be looking for some new faces to step up and lead the way.