The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Boys basketball tournaments tip off
Divisions II, III and IV begin with sectional semifinals. Adam Schabel has a look at the Feb. 25 matchups involving area teams.
NO. 9 BAY VS. NO. 8 LUTHERAN WEST
What: Division II North Ridgeville District sectional semifinal
When: Feb. 25, 7 p.m.
Where: Lutheran West High School, 3850 Linden Rd, Rocky River
Records: Bay 9-13, Lutheran West 14-8
On deck: The winner advances to a sectional final where it will face No. 1 Cleveland Central Catholic.
For the record: Ashton Price is the key to Bay’s success and the Rockets are a different team when he is in the lineup. The junior guard is averaging 23.5 points and 3.6 assists per game and has nailed 26 3-pointers this season despite missing some time. Price, along with teammates Cullen Gergye (7.4 rebounds per game) and Sam Houk (14 3-pointers made and 6.2 rebounds per game) must come up big for the Rockets if they look to advance to the next round. Don’t let Bay’s record fool you as they play in the competitive Great Lakes Conference, which sports teams such as Elyria Catholic, Fairview and Holy Name. If Price can get some help from his supporting cast, Bay should move to the next round.
Schabel’s pick: Bay
NO. 12 BROOKSIDE VS. NO. 5 FIRELANDS
What: Division II North Ridgeville District sectional semifinal
When: Feb. 25, 7 p.m.
Where: Firelands High School, 10643 Vermilion Rd, Oberlin
Records: Brookside 4-18, Firelands 15-7
On deck: The winner advances to a sectional final where it will face the winner of No. 13 John F. KennedyNo. 4East Tech.
For the record: Firelands defeated Brookside in both meetings this season and outscored the Cardinals by a a combined score of 144-115 in those meetings. The Falcons have a solid team and have a lot of size and outside shooting ability. Big man Jacob Schmitz (13.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game) roams the paint and outside shooters Jackson Talbott (10.4 points per game and 58 3-pointers made) and Mitchell Hodges (12.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game) spread the floor for Firelands. If the Falcons play their game, they should advance to the next stage.
Schabel’s pick: Firelands
NO. 10 CLEARVIEW VS. NO. 7 CLOVERLEAF
What: Division II North Ridgeville District sectional semifinal
When: Feb. 25, 7 p.m. Where: Cloverleaf High
School, 8525 Friendsville Rd, Lodi
Records: Clearview 12-9, Cloverleaf 13-8
On deck: The winner advances to a sectional final where it will face No. 2 Holy Name.
For the record: Clearview is entering the postseason on a tear, winning nine straight games prior to their season ending loss to Oberlin. The Clippers are powered by Joseph Norris (12.2points, 3.7assists and 2.8steals per game), Chase Christensen (12points and 2.1 steals per game) and Sam Clark (27 3-pointers made and 6.3 rebounds per game). Clearview hit their stride just in time so look for the Clippers to ride their wave of momentum into the next round.
Schabel’s pick: Clearview
NO. 11 BUCKEYE VS. NO. 6 KEYSTONE
What: Division II North Ridgeville District sectional semifinal
When: Feb. 25, 7 p.m.
Where: Keystone High School, 580Opportunity Way, Lagrange
Records: Buckeye 6-15, Keystone 11-11
On deck: The winner advances to a sectional final where it will face No. 3 Rocky River.
For the record: Keystone took down Columbia in their regular season finale to win a share of the Lorain County League title. The Wildcats put on one of their most complete performances of the season in the victory. Bryan Sayers (12.8points and 7.7 rebounds per game) is a catalyst for Keystone and Sean Saterlee and Kollin Rodick have combined for 58 3-pointers made for the season. Freshman point guard Ryan Walsh (3.2assists per game) has played well this season and hasn’t let the big moments get the best of him. Expect the Wildcats to move to the next round.
Schabel’s pick: Keystone
NO. 10 BERKSHIRE VS. NO. 7 OBERLIN
What: Division III Bedford District sectional semifinal
When: Feb. 25, 7 p.m.
Where: Oberlin High School, 281 N Pleasant St, Oberlin
Records: Berkshire 5-16, Oberlin 16-6
On deck: The winner advances to a sectional final where it will face No. 2 Elyria Catholic.
For the record: Oberlin rallied to down Clearview in their season finale to clinch a share of the Lorain County League title. The Phoenix field a solid team with three players averaging double figures in Giles Harrell Jr. (13.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.3assists per game), Trajen Chambers (12.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game) and Aaron Hopkins (10.5 points and 8 rebounds per game). They also have a lot of size, which helps them rebound the ball. Oberlin can shoot from the perimeter as Chambers and Harrell Jr. have both knocked down 35 3-pointers each this season. Another shooter in James Davis has 20 3-pointers made this season. Expect Oberlin to move on to the next round.
Schabel’s pick: Oberlin
NO. 13 BLACK RIVER VS. NO. 4 COLUMBIA
What: Division III Wooster District sectional semifinal
When: Feb. 25, 7 p.m.
Where: Columbia High School, 14168 W River Rd, Columbia Station
Records: Black River 2-20, Columbia 14-7
On deck: The winner advances to a sectional final where it will face the winner of No. 12 Ashland MapletonNo. 5 Smithville.
For the record: Columbia nearly pulled off a huge comeback against Keystone in their regular season finale, falling just short. Nonetheless, the Raiders clinched a share of the Lorain County League title in their second last game of their regular season campaign. They are a solid team that can shoot the ball well. Columbia nailed 12 3-pointers in their loss to Keystone. Charlie Simon (12.3 points and 9.5 rebounds per game) is a force to be reckoned with inside, while Reece Miller (35 3-pointers made), Brandon Fisher (343PM) and Trevor Hottell (20 3PM) are sharpshooters on the perimeter. Look for the Raiders to shoot their way to the next round. Schabel’s pick: Columbia
NO. 11 AKRON MANCHESTER VS. NO. 6 WELLINGTON
What: Division III Wooster District sectional semifinal
When: Feb. 25, 7 p.m.
Where: Wooster High School, 515 Oldman Rd, Wooster
Records: Manchester 1-14, Wellington 9-13
On deck: The winner advances to a sectional final where it will face No. 3 Apple Creek Waynedale.
For the record: Manchester got the best of Wellington the last time these two teams squared off in the 2018district final, defeating the Dukes 72-57. Mason McClellan dropped 28 points in Wellington’s win over Brookside in the season finale. Look for McClellan, Noah Diermyer and Ben Bliss to lead the way. Wellington likely has revenge on their minds, therefore, look for the Dukes to advance to the next round. Schabel’s pick: Wellington
NO. 9 OPEN DOOR VS. NO. 8 LAKE RIDGE
What: Division IV Norton District sectional semifinal
When: Feb. 25, 7 p.m.
Where: Lake Ridge Academy, 37501 Center Ridge Rd, North Ridgeville
Records: Open Door 10-10, Lake Ridge 9-6
On deck: The winner advances to a sectional final where it will face No. 1 Richmond Heights.
For the record: Both teams have played well at times this season. Open Door put together a four-game winning streak, while Lake Ridge won eight straight at one point in their season. The Royals got the best of the Patriots, winning 68-67, in their lone meeting of the season on Jan. 28. Both teams have standout players in Open Door’s Gavin Dobbins (22.6 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.7steals per game) and Lake Ridge’s Ted DeMarco II (18.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.4assists and 3.3steals per game). This game could easily go either way, however, Open Door has a slight edge because of their past tournament experience.
Schabel’s pick: Open Door