The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Postseason gets underway on Feb. 17
High school girls basketball teams begin the postseason and Sports Editor Jon Behm breaks down key games, including Lorain vs. Elyria, North Olmsted vs. Amherst and Midview vs. North Ridgeville.
No. 9 Lorain at No. 8 Elyria
What: D-I Elyria Catholic District sectional semifinal When: 1 p.m., Feb. 17 Where: Elyria High School, 601 Middle Ave., Elyria
For the record: It would be no surprise if Lorain felt a bit slighted by being the lower seed in this matchup. The Titans finished the regular season at 12-10, compared to the Pioneers’ 5-17 . ... There is something to be said for the Greater Cleveland Conference being a more difficult conference than the Lake Erie League. But Lorain has played a tough nonconference schedule that featured Avon Lake, North Ridgeville, Clearview and Rocky River. ... Elyria played Clearview and Rocky River as well. The Pioneers topped Clearview and lost to Rocky River, while the Titans did the opposite . ... Elyria brings a seven-game losing streak into the postseason . ... Lorain split its final two games of the season, but has won eight of its last 10. Behm’s pick: Lorain
No. 13 Valley Forge at No. 4 Avon Lake
What: D-I Elyria Catholic District sectional semifinal When: 1 p.m., Feb. 17 Where: Avon Lake High School, 175 Avon Belden Road, Avon Lake For the record: The Shoregals have had an up-anddown season, winning four in a row only to drop the next two or three. That is what will happen, though, when you have a younger team that is still learning the varsity ropes . ... Avon Lake ended its regular season on an uptick, defeating North Ridgeville and Amherst for a 13-9 overall record . ... Valley Forge has had a rough season. The Patriots finished the regular season at 5-16 and are on an eight-game losing streak . ... If the Shoregals get off to a strong start, this one will be over quickly. Behm’s pick: Avon Lake
No. 12 John Marshall at No. 5 Westlake
What: D-I Elyria Catholic District sectional semifinal When: 1 p.m., Feb. 17 Where: Westlake High School, 27830 Hilliard Blvd., Westlake For the record: Westlake is the dark horse for this district . .... The Demons have been playing their best basketball as of late, winning their final six games to end the regular season at 13-9 . ... Actually, winning might not be the right word. Dominating might be better, as the average margin of victory during the streak is 10.2 points . ... It has been a rough season for John Marshall, with plenty of lopsided losses. Behm’s pick: Westlake
No. 10 North Olmsted at No. 7 Amherst
What: D-I Elyria Catholic District sectional semifinal When: 1 p.m., Feb. 17 Where: Amherst Steele High School, 450 Washington St., Amherst
For the record: Along with Westlake, Amherst is a serious dark horse for this district . ... The Comets have beaten No. 2 Olmsted Falls and No. 4 Avon Lake so far this season, and took No. 3 Avon into overtime. Any team that looks past the Comets will be heading home . ... Amherst also has seen its share of peaks and valleys this year, ending the regular season with a 10-12 record after dropping six of its final 10 . ... North Olmsted has struggled all season to gets its footing amid a difficult Southwestern Conference schedule, ending its regular season at 4-18 . ... These teams have met twice this year, with Amherst claiming wins in both (69-54 on Nov. 29 and 51-41 on Jan. 13). Behm’s pick: Amherst
No. 11 Midview at No. 6 North Ridgeville
What: D-I Elyria Catholic District sectional semifinal When: 1 p.m., Feb. 17 Where: North Ridgeville, 34600 Bainbridge Road, North Ridgeville
For the record: North Ridgeville has been hard to figure out this year. At times, the Rangers look unbeatable and like a team that could win the district. Other times, North Ridgeville looks like it might not make it out of the first round. Which team is coming to play? ... The Rangers ended their season at 11-11, winning four of their final 10 games . ... Midview showed flashes of brilliance this year, but struggled to put it all together, finishing at 5-17 and on a four-game losing streak . ... In their previous two meetings this year, North Ridgeville was victorious, winning, 61-39, on Dec. 9 and 56-32 on Jan. 24. Behm’s pick: North Ridgeville
No. 12 Firelands at No. 5 Rocky River
What: D-II Elyria District sectional semifinal When: 1 p.m., Feb. 17 Where: Rocky River High School
For the record: Rocky River is a deceptive team. Sitting at 9-13, plenty of teams in the district may think they can walk through the Pirates. That would be a mistake . ... Rocky River has played one of the toughest schedules in the district. In addition to two Great Lakes Conference games against each Bay, Elyria Catholic and Normandy, the Pirates peppered their nonconference schedule with opponents like Avon Lake, Laurel, John Hay, Lutheran West and Westlake. That means the Pirates are battle-tested and ready for a playoff run . ... Firelands has had a tough year, finishing the regular season at 2-20 . ... The Falcons last picked up a win on Feb. 10 against Open Door, 55-34. Behm’s pick: Rocky River
No. 10 Fairview at No. 7 Keystone
What: D-II Elyria District sectional semifinal
When: 1 p.m., Feb. 17 Where: Keystone High School, 580 Opportunity Way, LaGrange
For the record: Keystone is bringing it together at the right time. Following a bit of a rough patch in the middle of the season, the Wildcats ended the season on a two-game winning steak and won six of their last 10. While that might not initially sound good, consider that those four losses came to Lutheran West, Wellington, Lorain and Clearview, and it sounds a lot better . ... Fairview will be no pushover. The Warriors are playing their best basketball of the season right now, picking up four of their seven wins in their last eight games . ... In their only meeting is year, Keystone won a lopsided showdown, 40-17, on Feb. 3. Behm’s pick: Keystone
No. 11 Brookside at No. 6 Buckeye
What: D-II Elyria District sectional semifinal When: 1 p.m., Feb. 17 Where: Buckeye High School
For the record: Brookside’s season has been an upand-down one. Fortunately for the Cardinals, they ended the season on a high note, winning three of their final four games to end the season at 7-15 . ... Buckeye knows how to do some damage in the playoffs and has had a rather successful season, placing second in the Patriot Athletic Conference Stars Division . ... In their previous two meetings, Buckeye has emerged victorious in a lopsided 58-28 game on Dec. 13 before a much tighter 43-42 game on Jan. 24. Behm’s pick: Buckeye —Jon Behm