Boys basketball state capsule

(1) RICHMOND HEIGHTS VS. (1) CONVOY CRESTVIEW

What: D-IV state semifinal

Where: Jerome Schottenstein Center, 555 Borror Drive When: March 22, 2 p.m.

Records: Richmond Heights 21-6, Convoy Crestview 26-1

On deck: The winner advances to the D-IV state championship game March 23 against Berlin Hiland or St. Henry.

For the record: Richmond Heights defeated New Middletown Springfield in the Canton Regional final to advance to its first state berth in program history. The Spartans meet a one-loss Convoy Crestview team that finished the regular season ranked No. 2 in the state. The Knights hail from Convoy, where the school is located five miles east of the Indiana border. Crestview claimed the Elida District title after the Knights outlasted Kalida in a double-overtime district final. At the Bowling Green Regional, Crestview defeated Hicksville by 16 then beat Maumee Country Day, 66-49, to book a trip to Columbus. The Knights are led by first team All-Ohio forward Javin Etzler, a 6-foot-7 senior committed to Miami (Ohio). Etzler leads the team in scoring at 14.2 points per game and is flanked by his brother, 6-foot-8 sophomore Kalen, who also averages double-digit scoring. The Knights carry a 24-game win streak into Schottenstein. Crestview is staunch defensively and allows fewer than 40 points per game. Richmond Heights’ depth will be required to help slow the Etzlers and also prevent one of the Knights’ supporting cast from breaking out to provide scoring punch. The Spartans’ defense carried them through the regional round and Richmond Heights’ versatility with Curtis Houston II, Gbolahan Adio, Jevontae Jones, Anthony Maxie, Jamarr Talbert Jr. and BJ Carter allows Coach Quentin Rogers to find favorable matchups. Offensively, the Spartans’ ball movement and outside shooting will allow them to handle zone looks. Against man coverages, Richmond Heights will spread the floor and allow its playmakers to attack and create. The Spartans were prepared for elevated stages during the regular season against a schedule that included Lorain, Gahanna Lincoln, Benedictine, Shaker Heights, Lutheran East, Kirtland and Toledo Whitmer. At the state level, an emphasis resides with execution and focus. Barnes’ pick: Richmond Heights