by By: Tyler Danburg
As the High School Boys Basketball postseason heats up with one game away from the Regional Tournaments, here is a look at some of the top matchups this weekend with District Championship and Sweet Sixteen implications on the line.
DIII Bedford Final: #2 Elyria Catholic vs #4 Warrensville Hts
How They Got Here:
Both of these teams got to the District Championship game after gut-wrenching contests in the semi-finals. For the higher-seeded EC Panthers, it took a go-ahead shot from star guard Edward Wright and a 58-56 win over third seed Crestwood. The Tigers of Warrensville Heights needed top-notch performances from guards Ramelle Arnold and Omahn Dobbins to upset top-seed Fairview in overtime, 100-96.
The Preview:
Friday’s District Final should come down to the wire whether being a low-scoring defensive game, or an extraordinary offensive contest. Warrensville’s talent and numbers put up from players like Arnold and Dobbins prove that they might be the top team in the Bedford District despite a record around .500 due to their tough strength of schedule.
Elyria Catholic will need a well-rounded performance from their backcourt, led by Jack Griffin and Edward Wright, as well as Pittsburgh Football commit Branson Taylor. If the Panthers can get a signature performance from their starters, especially Branson Taylor who had a huge 16 points vs Crestwood, EC could be able to edge out a Tigers program fired up after last Monday’s overtime upset.
DII North Ridgeville Final: #1 CCC vs #2 Holy Name
How They Got Here:
Holy Name had no problem reaching this year’s District Final in North Ridgeville, outlasting familiar GLC foe Rocky River 60-23. Meanwhile, Cleveland Central Catholic had more on their plate in a victory over fourth-seeded East Tech that went to double overtime.
The Preview:
In a highly anticipated matchup on tap at North Ridgeville High School, these two teams will square off for the first time this year. Cleveland Central Catholic was propelled in the District Semi-Final by the performance of big man Deshaun Nettles, who was just one block shy of an unheard-of triple double with 11 points, 14 rebounds, and a whopping nine blocks.
However, the main question in this District Championship for the Ironmen will be if they have enough scorers to mount another district title against a Holy Name team that can shoot the lights out with guard Quentin Richardson and big men such as Tony Carter and Jack Kenneally that can bury triples around the perimeter. CCC should have an advantage if guys like Nettles and Tevin Jackson can perform, but Ryan Patton‘s squad could make it close down the stretch.
DI Euclid Final: #1 Mentor vs #3 Brush
How They Got Here:
The Mentor Cardinals have been on a war path following their bitter loss to Lake Catholic to finish the regular season. University School was the last team to stop into the Cards’ path before the District Final, but Mentor held off the Preppers 71-58. For the Brush Arcs, a strong second half Thursday against the re-admitted Cleveland Heights Tigers helped Chet Mason’s team get the 49-44 win.
The Preview:
The Cardinals may be the higher-seed, but the Euclid District could go in either direction. Brush has played exceptionally well this season, and their third-seed classification shows how strong the competition in the district is.
Not only do the Arcs have a strong team from top to bottom with guys like sophomore guard Elmore James, but they have arguably the top player in the state of Ohio, Pittsburgh commit John Hugley. Hugley and James combined on Thursday night for 34 points, and continue to be a 1-2 punch on the hardwood for Brush.
The Mentor Cardinals also add immense depth. Luke Chicone and Luke Floriea go hand-in-hand in the point category, with Chicone tallying a top-tier performance in the District Semis with 28 points.
Down low, Chad Rogers will meet a tougher test with Brush, but has played consistently good players in the post in the regular season from players such as Dakota Cochran (Shaker) and Luka Eller (Lake Catholic). If Brush can play the way they did in the second half versus Cleveland Heights, it might just be an “upset” for the Arcs.
DI Lakewood Final: #1 St. Edward vs #3 Rhodes
How They Got Here:
Eric Flannery’s Eagles have soared throughout the regular and postseason, garnering prodigious wins in and out of the state. The St Ed’s trio of Grant Huffman, Montorie Foster, and Devontae Blanton have been tremendous throughout the whole campaign, and with their 73-46 victory over North Ridgeville, are one win away from a District title. For Rhodes, it took a 50-48 overtime victory over St. Edward’s archival St. Ignatius, fueled by an 18-point performance from Rams guard Marlon Landingham.
The Preview:
St. Ed’s starting lineup gives the general public the idea that this squad can manhandle every postseason opponent in the state. While Sean Spencer’s talented Rhodes program is also well-oiled, player of the year candidate Grant Huffman and others keep showing why the Eagles are the top team in not just the Lakewood District, but in the state of Ohio.
That being said, Rhodes might be able to scrape out a close game if they play team-oriented basketball, and get big games from the aforementioned Marlon Landingham as well as Keyshawn Hall.
Nonetheless, Saturday’s Lakewood district title game will be filled with incredible quantitative talent from both teams respectively, where a hit-or-miss performance from Rhodes could make or break their season against the premier St. Edward Eagles.
Other Notable District Championship Games:
DII Ashtabula Final: #1 Lutheran East vs #3 Glenville
One of Northeast Ohio’s top teams, Lutheran East look to earn another district title against Glenville, coming off an upset of Lake Catholic, in a rematch of one of the season’s first matchups, as ‘The Lue’ edged out the Tarblooders by two points.
DI Canton Final: #1 Green vs #2 Canton-McKinley
Two Canton-area teams will square off as Shea Simmer, Jordan Marshall, and Green face Kobe Johnson and Canton-McKinley in the battle of the Bulldogs
DI Twinsburg FInal: #1 Shaker Heights vs #3 Solon:
The top seeded Raiders of Shaker clash with the Solon Comets, who are flying high after their last minute upset over second seed Garfield Heights
DI Copley Final: #1 Medina vs #2 Walsh Jesuit
The Medina Battling Bees, 2019-20 GCC Champions, take on the Copley District’s second-seeded squad Walsh Jesuit.
Where was Lorain vs Lakewood?