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Best of the Southwest Classic: Day One Top Performers

By Jake Spegal, 12/28/19, 12:15AM EST

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We take a look at four standouts from Friday's action at Westland

GALLOWAY, Ohio -- Hosting the first installment of the Best of the Southwest Classic over the next two days, Westland is playing host to Grove City, Central Crossing and Franklin Heights in tournament action. Taking in the first two games tonight, we got a look at a pair of solid matchups. Let's take a look at the results and the top performers.

Central Crossing 52, Franklin Heights 34

In a game that lacked offense for the majority of the contest, Central Crossing picked up their second win of the season, taking down Franklin Heights 52-34.

While the Comets only put up 29 points in the first three quarters combined, the solid post play of senior Devon Miller coupled with some easy transition buckets allowed Central Crossing to put up 23 points in the final frame and run away with the game despite leading by just three heading into the fourth.

The Comets have now won two straight after dropping their first six games of the season and will take on Grove City in the finals tomorrow at 3:30. Miller led them with 18 in the win.

Franklin Heights falls to 1-6 after the loss and will take on Westland tomorrow at 2 pm.

Grove City 56, Westland 41

In a game that was never in question, Grove City rolled over Westland in the nightcap, taking down the Cougars 56-41.

The Greyhounds jumped out to a 12-2 lead after one and increased it to 19 when they led 27-8 with 1:52 left in the half following a pair of triples from Cole Crager and Brock Waits

Led by the duo, Grove City continued their hot shooting in the second half, played solid defense and showed great effort and toughness, winning nearly every 50/50 ball and dominating on the glass despite being very undersized compared to Westland.

Crager led the Greyhounds with 18 in the win, while Waits added 17. They move to 5-3 and will take on Central Crossing in the finals tomorrow.

Senior guard ​​​​​​​Kalil Camara led Westland with 12 points, while Roger Taylor and ​​​​​​​Sohn McGee each scored nine for the Cougars, who fall to 0-7 after the loss.


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Cole Crager (6'2 WF / Grove City / 2020): Crager led the Greyhounds with 18 points in their win tonight and showed off some versatility on the offensive end. At 6-foot-2, the senior has broad shoulders a muscular build that allow him to play on the interior and do a lot of the dirty work for Grove City as he was the best rebounder in the gym tonight despite going up against the long and athletic Westland front court. Crager hit three triples off the catch tonight, hit a mid-range off the dribble and had a few tough finishes near the rim, one of which went for an and-one. Despite having to play in the paint a lot for Grove City, he is best suited on the wing, as we saw him use a good handle and his strong frame to get past guys off the dribble and into the lane where he also made some good pass reads. Crager has some really solid athletic tools that allow him to find success in the open floor and help him defend just about 1-5 at the high school level. Though he is still stuck between playing college football or basketball, the senior would be a good look for small college programs as his work ethic will allow him to only keep improving.

Devon Miller (6'4 PF / Central Crossing / 2020): Miller was the best player on the floor all day in Central Crossing's win over Franklin Heights as the senior was very efficient from field and led the Comets down the stretch. At just 6-foot-4, the senior is a traditional back-to-the-basket post at the high school level as Central Crossing runs most of their offensive sets through him. Using his strength to his advantage, Miller gave Franklin Heights fits on the interior all night as he scored a handful of tough baskets in the post, two of which went for and-ones. He showed off a good post spin move, ran the floor for an easy score and displayed really good touch near the rim as well as a good feel of how to get clean looks inside. Defensively, the senior makes good reads and rotations and is a tough matchup in the post. We like how hard he rebounds on that end too as he prevented Franklin Heights from creating many second chances tonight. Though he will have to play on the wing more at the college level, Miller is another good small college prospect as he understands the work that will need to be done to fit his game more to that level.

Brock Waits (6'0 PG / Grove City / 2021): Despite playing sick tonight, Waits gave Grove City 17 points and proved as an excellent running mate to Crager. Making all of his field goals from beyond the arc, the junior hit five triples off the catch and showed off his range throughout the contest. He has a quick trigger, a smooth release and the green light within Grove City's offense. While he didn't finish any buckets near the rim tonight, he used his quick first step and shifty handle to get in the lane on multiple occasions where he was either fouled or made a good read to an open teammate. We really like what Waits brings on the defensive end as well as his IQ along with his quick feet allow him to frustrate opposing guards on the perimeter. He also plays with a high motor and a lot of toughness on that end as he dove for a couple of loose balls tonight along with taking a charge. Division II programs in the region should start to keep an eye on Waits as he offers some tools on both ends and plays with a really good feel.

Luke Smith (6'0 WG / Grove City / 2020): Smith is making an appearance here for his hard work and high motor on both ends of the floor on Friday night. Despite being just 6-feet tall, the senior grabbed a few offensive rebounds and got involved on the defensive glass as well, using his effort to make a difference on the interior all night. He also played some tough perimeter defense, made good decisions with the ball in his hands and finished an easy layup near the rim to go along with a three off the catch. Smith is exactly what we would call a "glue guy" as he doesn't try to play outside of his role and makes winning plays on both ends of the floor. 

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