CLEVELAND, Ohio – Watch the video above and vote in the poll below to pick the cleveland.com boys basketball play of the month.
The top plays from January were compiled by cleveland.com with submissions noted below. Catch a play on video and want to submit it? Email mgoul@cleveland.com.
Here are the top plays up for vote.
Vote for the top play of January
Antonio Blanton, Elyria: His 3-pointer in the finals seconds of a 77-76 win Jan. 10 at Medina handed the Bees their first loss of the season.
Keith Simmons, Brunswick: Simmons’ buzzer-beating layup Jan. 27 at home lifted the Blue Devils for a second time against Elyria, 43-41. This play comes courtesy of Brunswick’s athletic department.
Trent Williams, Solon: On the same night as Simmons’ heroics, Williams did the same with a corner 3-pointer. His shot on the road helped the Comets to a 66-63 win at Shaker Heights. The Solon athletic department provided this highlight.
Matt Davet, St. Ignatius: A senior forward, Davet’s 3-pointer to beat the fourth-quarter buzzer highlighted a 36-point night. It also spurred St. Ignatius to a 90-80 overtime win Jan. 13 against rival St. Edward.
Mike Smith, Glenville: Tarblooders coach Michael Holt said Smith made shots like this one to avoid being cut in the preseason. Smith’s buzzer-beater before halftime Jan. 24 highlighted a 72-45 win vs. MLK that locked up Glenville’s top seed in the Senate League tournament.
Nijon Kirkman, John Hay: Kirkman doesn’t normally take 3s, but he had to Jan. 13 so the Hornets could keep their Senate League matchup going at East Tech. The Scarabs won, 84-79 in double overtime.
Taylor Pupkiewicz, Valley Forge: The senior guard also played beat the clock during the Patriots’ Jan. 10 loss to Holy Name.
Andre Harris, Brush: Two dunks from Harris make the cut. First, the 6-foot-3 sophomore finished in a vital 76-67 Western Reserve Conference road win Jan. 20 at Madison. Harris then brought the house down on an alley-oop Jan. 31 during an 88-45 home win vs. Mayfield. Brush coach Chet Mason provided the second highlight.
Demetrius Terry, St. Edward: The sophomore guard showed off his defensive skills in this steal and score against St. Ignatius.
Grant Huffman, St. Edward: More defense from the Eagles’ young crew. In this one, the freshman chased down a potential basket for the block.
Marreon Jackson, Garfield Heights: More defense, but from the Toledo-bound senior point guard. Jackson’s block came Jan. 15 during Flyin’ to the Hoop in Dayton.
Brian Roberts Jr., Copley: Roberts’ steal and score showed how dangerous of a guard he can be Jan. 17 during a 68-59 win against Stow.
Austin Brenner, Copley: Also a quarterback and recent Ashland commit, Brenner’s defense helped the Indians pull away in the second half from Stow.
Dwayne Cohill, Holy Name: A junior point guard, Cohill displayed his handled and scoring ability during the Scholastic Play By Play Classic at Baldwin Wallace against Brush. Cohill scored 30 points in the 79-57 win Jan. 8.
Jayvon Graves, St. Vincent-St. Mary: The Buffalo commit plays above the rim, and these two plays Jan. 6 during a 69-67 home win vs. St. Edward exhibit that.
R.J. Sunahara, Bay: Sunahara beat the buzzer with a near-full-court heave Jan. 31 at Rocky River. Bay won, 79-43. Rockets coach Jared Shetzer provided the highlight.
Miryne Thomas, Central Catholic: From the Play By Play Classic at Baldwin Wallace, Thomas played both ends of the floor. The 6-7 senior blocked a shot against Shaker Heights and finished the play with a one-handed slam.
Jalil Little, Lorain: A senior point guard, Little beat the third-quarter clock with a putback that ultimately made the difference Jan. 3 in a 66-64 win against Garfield Heights.
Naz Bohannon from Little, Lorain: The Titans pulled even at halftime thanks to Little’s steal and Bohannon’s finish. The seniors have Lorain on top of the Lake Erie League, and their 69-67 win Jan. 27 vs. Cleveland Heights contributed to it.
Contact sports reporter Matt Goul on Twitter (@mgoul) or email (mgoul@cleveland.com). Or log in and leave a message below in the comments section.
Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.
