High school boys basketball tournament capsules

NO. 3 ELYRIA CATHOLIC VS. NO. 2 WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS

What: Division III Garfield Heights District semifinal When: March 5, 7p.m. Where: Garfield Heights High School, 4900Turney Road, Garfield Heights Records: Elyria Catholic 13-9, Warrensville Heights 13-9

On deck: The winner advances to the district final where it will face Lutheran East.

For the record: Both teams have played brutal regular-season schedules to prepare for the playoffs, and this game will likely be one of the best of the Garfield Heights District. Elyria Catholic has won four straight including, a 79-59win over Crestwood in a sectional final behind Jarred Logan’s triple-double (26points, 17rebounds, 11assists). The Panthers seem to be hitting their stride when it counts. Warrensville Heights will give them everything they’ve got, however. The Tigers played competitively in the Lake Erie League all season against the likes of Lorain, Cleveland Heights and Lutheran East. Logan will need all the help he can get if Elyria Catholic is to avoid back-to-back district semifinal losses. McNees’ pick: Warrensville Heights

NO. 3 OPEN DOOR VS. NO. 2 COLUMBIA

What: Division IV Norton District semifinal

When: March 5, 7p.m. Where: Norton High School, 1Panther Way, Norton

Records: Open Door 19-4, Columbia 15-7

On deck: The winner advances to the district final where it will face No. 1 Richmond Heights.

For the record: This matchup has been muchanticipated since the brackets were released a few weeks ago. Columbia hosted Open Door in the season opener and served the Patriots their most lopsided loss of the season, 68-51. But the teams look entirely different come March. Both have had impressive seasons, but possibly no team around has overachieved like Open Door. The Patriots played a schedule full of Division I and II teams and still managed 19wins while remaining competitive in their losses. With a chance at redemption and the talent all over its roster, Open Door will likely not let Columbia get the best of it a second time around.

McNees’ pick: Open Door