The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Brush, Euclid, VASJ and RH project as No. 1 seeds
Voting for placement in district brackets began a minute after midnight Feb. 7. When it concludes Feb. 9, results will be posted at 5 p.m. Feb. 10.
A look at how districts involving area teams project to be seeded. Note that records cited are through games played Feb. 5.
Division I Euclid District
• Projected order: 1. Brush, 2. Mentor, 3. Solon, 4. Cleveland Heights, 5. South, 6. East Tech, 7. Riverside, 8. Madison, 9. Mayfield, 10. North, 11. Lakeside, 12. John Hay
The Euclid District is arguably the most brutal district in Northeast Ohio. All four of its top teams, if not more, are capable of winning the district then advancing to win a game or two in the regional round. How coaches determined the top seed here will also be one of the most fascinating developments to unfold when brackets are revealed Feb. 10.
Brush won its first 10 games before the Arcs fell to SPIRE Institute’s collection of high-major talent, then lost to Kennedy Catholic — led by All-American Oscar Tshiebwe and Maceo Austin, a Duquesne signee who’s never lost a postseason game. Likewise, Mentor won its first 12 games before the Cardinals were defeated at home by Shaker Heights. Mentor plays in a more rigorous conference, but Brush’s nonconference games give each team a comparable strength of schedule.
The ultimate factor to decide coaches’ votes may come down to how they perceive Brush’s game at Shaker Heights on Feb. 5. The Arcs led, 39-29, at half before the team’s game was called Feb. 6. The teams agreed the final score would stand and count as a victory for Brush. If votes consider that victory like any other, a Brush victory and Mentor loss against a common opponent would seem to tip voting in the Arcs’ favor.
That said, the Euclid District goes through Mentor. The Cardinals have won district championships in 11 of the past 16 years they’ve played at Euclid. The respect commanded by coach Bob Krizancic’s programs will surely factor in voting.
D-I Solon District
• Projected order: 1. Euclid, 2. Shaker Heights, 3. Twinsburg, 4. Garfield Heights, 5. Warren Harding, 6. Hudson, 7. Maple Heights, 8. University, 9. Bedford, 10. Kenston, 11. John Adams, 12. Nordonia
Euclid and Shaker Heights possess identical overall records at 11-5 and are each 7-3 in Greater Cleveland Conference play. But the Panthers’ 79-74 win on the Red Raiders’ home floor Feb. 1 should make their claim to the top line in Solon ironclad. Euclid is playing as well as any team in the area, having won seven straight games and 10 of its last 11.
D-II Lakeside District
• Projected order: 1. VASJ, 2. Lake Catholic, 3. Perry, 4. Harvey, 5. Glenville, 6. West Geauga, 7. Geneva, 8. Chardon, 9. St. Martin de Porres, 10. Shaw, 11. NDCL, 12. Conneaut, 13. Jefferson
Lake Catholic carries a superior 13-3 record into the draw over VASJ’s 11-4 mark, but the Vikings own victories against two of the teams to beat the Cougars — Walsh Jesuit and Akron Hoban, twice. VASJ, ranked No. 5 in the most recent state AP poll, is the defending champion at the Lakeside District and has amassed a superb record against a daunting schedule. A rematch of last year’s district final between VASJ and Lake Catholic would be eagerly anticipated.
Harvey (12-3) leads Perry (12-4) in the CVC Chagrin standings, but the Red Raiders’ only loss in Ohio this season came to the Pirates. West Geauga’s 7-12 record is certainly below what the Wolverines expected this season, but they own wins against Chardon and Geneva.
D-II Stow District
• Projected order: 1. Revere, 2. Woodridge, 3. Benedictine, 4. Gilmour, 5. Chagrin Falls, 6. CVCA, 7. Cleveland JFK, 8. Aurora, 9. Streetsboro, 10. Ravenna, 11. Orange, 12. Hawken, 13. Southeast
Benedictine brings the toughest strength of schedule of any team into this bracket, but the Bengals’ 8-9 record isn’t likely sufficient to land the No. 1 seed — especially from voters who primarily coach at suburban schools. Revere’s won 10 games in a row and resides at 13-3, while Woodridge’s 16-4 record will surely command some respect. Still, the Bengals should be considered a favorite at this district.
Gilmour’s 12-3 record is solid and the Lancers’ onetwo punch of CJ Charleston and Connor O’Toole will make them a tough out. A signature win against a top-flight team could’ve bolstered Gilmour’s case for a higher line. Chagrin Falls put together a solid 10-7 season so far with a few quality wins in league play.
D-III Garfield Heights District
• Projected order: 1. Lutheran East, 2. Warrensville Heights, 3. Beachwood, 4. Kirtland, 5. Crestwood, 6. Elyria Catholic, 7. Wickliffe, 8. Cardinal, 9. Trinity, 10. Berkshire, 11. Brooklyn
Lutheran East is the defending champion of this district and a returning state qualifier from the 2018 postseason. The 10-6 Falcons also defeated 12-6 Warrensville Heights on Feb. 5.
Beachwood’s had success at Garfield Heights in recent seasons and should receive some respect from voters. Jayson Woodrich is one of the top players in the bracket and is capable of winning a game for the Bison by himself. Beachwood’s 12-6 record doesn’t quite include a signature win, but the Bison have essentially won each game they were expected to and played a handful of tough nonconference games.
Kirtland’s 12-3 record is nearly identical to Crestwood’s 13-3 mark, but the Hornets’ strength of schedule gives them an edge for the fourth seed. Kirtland’s only conference losses came to Richmond Heights and the Hornets performed well in a nonconference slate that included Euclid, Geneva and Chardon.
D-IV Norton District
• Projected order: 1. Richmond Heights, 2. Open Door, 3. Columbia, 4. Cuyahoga Heights, 5. Rittman, 6. Oberlin, 7. Lake Center Christian, 8. Independence, 9. Dalton, 10. Kidron Central Christian, 11. Mapleton, 12. Cornerstone Christian, 13. Lake Ridge Academy
Despite the team’s mystifying absence from the Division IV state poll, Richmond Heights is among Ohio’s best in the division. The Spartans cruised through their league schedule and played one of the toughest nonconference schedules in the area. Open Door enters voting at 172, but Richmond Heights’ dominance in the CVC Valley and strength of schedule should land the Spartans the top seed.
At the bottom of the bracket, watch out for Cornerstone Christian. The Patriots are 1-17 against a schedule that included two games against D-IV competition (Andrews Osborne) and voters will certainly take the chance to vote them down after the program’s recent success. Don’t be surprised to see Cornerstone Christian win more games in the postseason than it does in its first 22 games.
D-IV Grand Valley District
• Projected order: 1. Bristol, 2. Windham, 3. Newbury, 4. Vienna Mathews, 5. Andrews Osborne Academy, 6. Ashtabula St. John, 7. Warren JFK, 8. Southington, 9. Maplewood, 10. Kinsman Badger, 11. Lordstown, 12. Fairport, 13. Bloomfield
Led by the high-scoring Gage Elza, Bristol is a lock to pick up the No. 1 seed at Grand Valley. Last year’s district runner-up, the Panthers likely rejoiced when Cornerstone Christian, the defending champion, was moved to the Norton District. Bristol is ranked No. 5 in the most recent state poll.
Newbury’s 12-5 record is better than Windham’s 10-9 mark, but the Bombers win over the Black Knights on Jan. 18 will likely give them an edge in voting. Still, Newbury should be in line for the third seed and have an opportunity to play for a district title behind a senior core led by Mario Puletti and Tino Johnson.
Andrews Osborne is playing its first season in its return to the OHSAA. TJ Chapman is one of the best players in the bracket and the Phoenix compiled a respectable 13-5 record.
Reach Barnes at NBarnes@News-Herald. com. On Twitter: @natebarnes_