Copyright cleveland.com
EUCLID, Ohio — Lutheran East coach Sam Liggins expected Dylan Zeigler to take over once T.J. Crumble left the program. That happened a year early, as Crumble left in August to enroll in Long Island Prep, ahead of his senior year with the Falcons. The 6-foot-7 forward leaves a void in the Lutheran East lineup after leading the Falcons in scoring and rebounding. He has since committed to North Texas, but his former team remains poised in its OHSAA boys basketball state-title defense. Zeigler is one of the biggest reasons. The 6-3 guard already has offers from Ohio State and others ahead of his sophomore season, but Liggins also has third-year starting junior point guard Chris Hill and Ty Harrison back from their Division V state championship run. “Zeigler is a big-time scorer and a big-time player,” Liggins said Saturday at the NEO Sports Plant in Euclid, following a 16-team mega scrimmage. “We knew when T.J. left, it was his time. T.J. left a little sooner than we expected, but it’s all good. Zeigler is ready to take on his spot.” Recommended high school sports stories OHSAA Division III regional semifinals preview: No overlooking VASJ on the road to CanfieldNov. 12, 2025, 6:05a.m. OHSAA Division II regional semifinals preview: Avon takes state-title defense to undefeated WadsworthNov. 11, 2025, 10:05a.m. Tom Parker takes the controls at St. Ignatius: Boys basketball preview 2025-26Nov. 11, 2025, 8:05a.m. Zeigler showcased his potential as the Falcons’ leading scorer at Saturday’s mega scrimmage, organized by Hawken coach Anthony Burns. He knocked down 3-pointers with defenders in his face and beat them to the hoop, as the Falcons can lean on their guards. Lutheran East, which finished 25-4 last season, won its third straight state championship. Hill has been around for two of them and is the vocal leader of the group. “It’s not too much different for me,” Hill said. “It’s always how I control the game.” The Falcons’ trio in the backcourt is joined by returning junior forward Devontey Perkins, who will have an expanded role in the frontcourt with senior Ocho Davis and freshman Bryce Irby. Liggins said he expects his rotation to be shorter, but thinks they can handle it. “They’re tough,” he said. “They’re not deep like we used to be with a lot of numbers. We got five, six, seven guys, but those guys are tough as nails. I love that, man. Those guys bring it every day and they’re super competitive. They hate to lose and anytime you got a group like that, you’ve got a chance to win.” Watch highlights of the Falcons from Saturday’s mega scrimmage in the video above and hear from Zeigler, Hill, Harrison and Liggins. Also, watch for more previews throughout the week and leading up to the season, which tips off Wednesday, Nov. 26. The cleveland.com preseason Top 25 will be unveiled Monday, Nov. 24 with more features that week.
