UPDATE: In a thrilling showdown at the Scholastic Play By Play Classic, Brunswick’s senior point guard Trey Drexler exploded for 36 points, leading the Blue Devils to a 55-49 victory over St. Vincent-St. Mary earlier today at Euclid High School. This victory not only highlights Drexler’s remarkable talent but also propels Brunswick to an impressive record of 9-1.
Down early in the match, the eighth-ranked Blue Devils faced a fierce challenge as St. Vincent-St. Mary, ranked fourth in the cleveland.com Top 25, jumped out to an 11-point lead. However, Drexler quickly turned the tide, bringing Brunswick back to within three points by the end of the first quarter. The momentum shifted further as Brunswick took a five-point lead into halftime, showcasing their resilience against a relentless pressure defense.
“They’re going to turn you over and they’re going to rebound the ball,” said Brunswick coach Joe Mackey regarding the Fighting Irish’s strategy. “They’re just extremely athletic.” Despite the pressure, Brunswick committed only one turnover in the third quarter, a testament to Drexler’s ability to handle the heat. “People talk about his ability to score, but one of the best things about Trey is that you can’t press him,” Mackey added.
Throughout the game, Drexler scored a staggering 32 of Brunswick’s 44 points through three quarters. He sealed the victory with critical free throws in the final minute as St. Vincent-St. Mary attempted a comeback, narrowing the lead to just two points. DeCarlo Prince led the Irish with 18 points and 11 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Drexler’s dominant performance.
In other action at the Classic, top-ranked Lutheran East showcased their strength, defeating Euclid with a score of 74-59. The Falcons, now 8-0, were led by Dylan Zeigler, who scored 27 points, including five three-pointers, asserting their dominance after a slow start. Euclid’s Kye Owens managed to score 24 points but could not keep pace.
Meanwhile, Garfield Heights overwhelmed Shaker Heights with an 80-48 victory, driven by Marcus Johnson, who reached 2,000 career points during the game. Johnson’s performance included 26 points in just three quarters, showcasing the Bulldogs’ strength in the rivalry.
The day continued with Glenville edging out Hawken in a close game, winning 67-62 thanks to a crucial putback by Theo Castro, while Lutheran West narrowly defeated Rhodes 60-58, ending a three-game losing streak and setting the stage for an exciting basketball season.
As the Scholastic Play By Play Classic progresses, all eyes will be on Brunswick and Lutheran East as they continue to dominate the court. Fans and players alike are eager to see how the rest of the season unfolds, especially with the upcoming matchups that will further test these talented teams.
