North Canton hosts high school basketball prospects at Dunk for Diabetes event

The third annual Dunk For Diabetes event brings top high school basketball talent and teams from across the Midwest to Walsh University in North Canton this weekend.

The event features 11 games over two days, with some of Ohio's top teams and players being recruited by top college programs nationally. Saturday's nightcap features a loaded Huntington (WV) Prep team with talent from all over the country against Shaker Heights, which is headlined by class of 2015 four-star recruit Esa Ahmad.

Sunday's games feature 2013 Div. I state tournament participant Cincinnati Walnut Hills against Lakewood St. Edward, currently the No. 1 team in Cleveland.com's weekly top 25, and a matchup of 2013 state champions in Mentor vs. Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph.

Event director Chas Wolfe has put together another field that figures to attract both college coaches and casual fans. More than double the amount of presale tickets from a year ago have been sold, Wolfe said, but plenty of tickets will still be for sale at the gate for $12 (adults) and $10 (students).

Among the top recruits playing in the event are VASJ's Carlton Bragg, La Lumiere's Jalen Coleman, North Royalton's Omari Spellman, Ohio State signee Dave Bell of Garfield Heights, Cleveland Central Catholic's Tervell Beck, LaBrae's Peyton Aldridge and Huntington Prep's Montaque Gill-Ceasar, JaQuan Lyle, Josh Perkins and Miles Bridges.

Games start at 2 p.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Walsh's five-year old Alumni Arena seats 1,800.

The full schedule can be viewed on the event website at http://www.dunk4diabetes.com/