The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Elyria Cath. boys advance to district final
Marissa McNees has the matchup for are high school basketball teams as they continue in the postseason. See who’s playing who and who McNees picks to win each game.
RAVENNA SOUTHEAST VS. ELYRIA CATHOLIC
What: Division III Cuyahoga Falls regional semifinal When: March 6, 8 p.m. Where: Cuyahoga Falls High School, 2300 4th Street, Cuyahoga Falls Records: Ravenna Southeast 21-3, Elyria Catholic 21-4 On deck: The winner advances to the regional final, where it will face the winner of Warren ChampionDoylestown Chippewa. For the record: Both Ravenna Southeast and Elyria Catholic started slowly in their district final games before cruising to victory. Faith Williams scored a game-high 21 points. But it was the play of fellow senior Regan Schilll that propelled the Panthers to back-to-back district championships. The Pirates have talented shooters as well, and Elyria Catholic can’t afford another slow start if it’s to advance to a secondstraight regional final. McNees’ pick: Elyria Catholic
NO. 4 MANSFIELD SENIOR VS. NO. 3 VERMILION
What: Division II Mansfield District semifinal When: March 6, 6:15 p.m. Where: Madison Comprehensive High School, 1419 Grace Street, Mansfield Records: Mansfield Senior 21-4, Vermilion 18-5 On deck: The winner advances to the district final where it will face the winner of No. 8 Ontario-No. 1 Norwalk. For the record: Vermilion continues its journey through one of the toughest districts in Ohio. Reigning champion and No. 2 seed Lexington lost in a sectional final and top-seeded Norwalk was nearly upended by No. 13 Tiffin Columbian in the first round. The Sailors lost by three in the district semifinal last season as the No. 1 seed in the Mansfield District. so perhaps not having the pressure of ranking at the top will be a good thing. They have the talent of a district championship team and need to sustain their highest level of play to be the last team standing. McNees’ pick: Vermilion
NO. 4 AVON VS. NO. 1 LORAIN
What: Division I Elyria District semifinal When: March 6, 7 p.m. Where: Elyria Catholic High School, 725 Gulf Road, Elyria Records: Avon 16-7, Lorain 22-1 On deck: The winner advances to the district final where it will face the winner of No. 3 Lakewood-No. 2 Olmsted Falls. For the record: These teams met two weeks ago with Lorain coasting through the first three quarters before eventually winning, 66-52, in what was the Titans’ lowest scoring output of the season. The final score was likely much closer than anyone anticipated as Avon is outmatched by Lorain. But the Eagles have played some of their best basketball down the stretch and have won eight of their last 10. If fourth-ranked Lorain sleeps through the first half of the district semifinal, Avon can make this yet another competitive matchup. But the Titans are the heavy favorite. McNees’ pick: Lorain
NO. 4 FAIRVIEW VS. NO. 1 CLEVELAND CENTRAL CATHOLIC
What: Division II North Ridgeville District semifinal When: March 6, 7 p.m. Where: North Ridgeville High School, 34600 Bainbridge Road, North Ridgeville Records: Fairview 22-2, Cleveland Central Catholic 14-9 On deck: The winner advances to the district final where it will face the winner of No. 3 Bay-No. 2 Holy Name. For the record: Fairview is coming off its lowest scoring output of the season in a 48-46 buzzer-beating win over Buckeye in a sectional final. The Warriors average 77.1 points per game through 24 games but have scored 69 points or fewer their last five games. Central Catholic doesn’t run the highest scoring offense (64.0 ppg), but the Ironmen play a significantly tougher schedule. Keystone held them to 61 points in a sectional final though, and if Fairview’s defense can do the same, an upset isn’t out of the question. McNees’ pick: Cleveland Central Catholic