Top high school teams invade the Word Church

How do high school teams win the state titles? They play in summer leagues.

The best summer league program has been the Earl Boykins High School Summer League at the Word Church on Miles.

This summer the league has gotten even hotter.

Lorain Titans won the tournament last year. They will try to repeat. However, standing in their way are teams like Akron St. Vincent – St. Mary. SVSM won the D-II state title last winter. Dru Joyce’s team will be loaded again. Garfield Heights, Brush, Shaker Heights and Cleveland Central Catholic will try to dethrone the Titans.

Other teams that are playing are: Glenville, Barberton, Lakewood, Maple Heights, Kenston, Lutheran East (D-IV state champs), Shaw, University School, Twinsburg, Cleveland Heights, Bedford and Elyria Catholic.

Top players are Meachie Johnson a freshman at Garfield Heights, Julian Whiteside – Garfield Heights, Bryson Waller – Garfield Heights, D.J. Dial – Bedford, John Hugley – Bedford, Dale Bonner – Shaker Heights, Nick Ferguson – Shaker Heights, Devon Grant – Lorain, Fonse Hale – Maple Heights, Deshaun Garner – Maple Heights, Brandon Rush – Warrensville, Alex Heath - Cleveland Central Catholic.

Games start this Monday at 6 p.m. at the Word Church with nine games. They will play every Monday and Wednesday.

Games schedule Wednesday June 14

Lakewood vs Bedford (0-1)...6 p.m.

Elyria Catholic vs Glenville...6 p.m.

Lakewood vs Twinsburg (0-1)...7 p.m.

SVSM (1-0) vs Barberton (0-1)...7 p.m.

Garfield vs Lorain (last year's defending champ)...8 p.m.

Garfield vs Maple...8 p.m.

Kenston (0-1) vs. Elyria Catholic...9 p.m.

Lorain vs. US... 9 p.m.