(1) RICHMOND HEIGHTS VS. (2) BRISTOL

What: D-IV Canton regional semifinal

Where: Canton Fieldhouse, 1815 Harrison Avenue NW When: March 12, 6:15 p.m.

Records: Richmond Heights 19-6, Bristol 21-4

On deck: The winner advances to the Canton regional final March 15 against the winner between New Middletown Springfield and Greenwich South Central.

For the record: Richmond Heights notched a pair of double-digit wins at Norton to win its first district title in five years. Rittman and Elyria Open Door were each formidable teams. In both games, the Spartans pulled away in the second half to take control — a meaningful sign of a contending team. Richmond Heights’ next challenge is the champion of the Grand Valley District, Bristol. The Panthers, who fell to Cornerstone Christian in last year’s district final, advanced behind highscoring senior Gage Elza. The 6-foot guard averaged 26.2 points per game and put up multiple 40-point games during the regular season. Damion Durst joins Elza in the backcourt, and played a role on last year’s team. Matt Church (6-foot-4) anchors the Panthers in the post. The Spartans are well-equipped to lock down an opponent’s top options with a host of long, versatile players who can guard multiple positions. Richmond Heights doesn’t need much to spark the types of game-altering runs the Spartans used in both district games. Point guard Curtis Houston is able to control a game, shooting guard Gbolahan Adio scores in bunches, wing Jamarr Talbert attacks the rim and spaces the floor, Anthony Maxie controls the paint at each end of the floor, BJ Carter brings hustle off the bench and Jevontae Jones has the athletic ability to get to the basket and guard any position.

Barnes’ pick: Richmond Heights