Boys basketball tournament capsules

(5) WEST GEAUGA VS. (13) EDGEWOOD

What: D-II Ashtabula District sectional final When: Feb. 28, 7 p.m. Where: West Geauga Records: West Geauga 167, Edgewood 6-16 On deck: The winner advances to a Ashtabula District semifinal against the victor between Lutheran East and Shaw on March 4. For the record: West Geauga had little trouble in its semifinal victory over St. Martin de Porres. Junior Josh Irwin is a force inside and on the perimeter as the program’s all-time leading rebounder and 3-point shooter. Peyton Bissler averages nearly 20 points and about four assists per game at point guard for coach Jeff Javorek. Edgewood put an end to possibly the most tumultuous season in program history at Villa Angela-St. Joseph when the Warriors knocked the Vikings off in double overtime. Unlike Edgewood’s sectional semifinal opponent, West Geauga’s complete focus is tuned toward its matchup with the Warriors. Barnes’ pick: West Geauga

(2) LAKE CATHOLIC VS. (10) NDCL

What: D-II Ashtabula District sectional final When: Feb. 28, 7 p.m. Where: Lake Catholic Records: Lake Catholic 166, NDCL 10-13 On deck: The winner advances to a Ashtabula District semifinal against the victory between Perry and Glenville on March 5. For the record: Lake Catholic plays its first game since the Cougars’ emotionally-charged victory at Mentor in their regularseason finale Feb. 22. The tandem of Luka Eller and Luke Frazier is surrounded by a scrappy supporting cast that takes pride in its role. Frazier enters his senior postseason playing the best basketball of his life. NDCL went on the road to beat John Hay in its playoff opener. The Lions dropped both of their games to Lake Catholic by double-digits. Barnes’ pick: Lake Catholic

(3) GLENVILLE VS. (6) PERRY

What: D-II Ashtabula District sectional final When: Feb. 28, 7 p.m. Where: Glenville High School, 650East 113th Street Records: Glenville 16-6, Perry 14-9 On deck: The winner advances to a Ashtabula District semifinal against the victor between Lake Catholic and NDCL on March 5. For the record: Glenville and Perry met in the same round a year ago, a game the Pirates won by 38 points at home. The Tarblooders host the rematch and are led by a dynamic guard in Bryon Ottrix, who’s singlehandedly capable of leading Glenville to victories. Glenville is long and versatile up front behind Tyshune Bender and Tyishawn Smiley. The Pirates have plenty of offensive weapons in Nate Cubbison, Drew Schiano, Devon Holbert and Jake Cubbison to keep up with Tarblooders. Perry can beat anyone when the Pirates are hitting from the perimeter. The biggest question mark revolves around how well they rebound. Barnes’ pick: Glenville

(4) GILMOUR VS. (5) CVCA

What: D-II Stow District sectional final When: Feb. 28, 7 p.m. Where: Gilmour Records: Gilmour 15-8, CVCA 17-6 On deck: The winner advances to a Stow District semifinal against the victory between Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary and Orange on March 4. For the record: The Lancers easily defeated Mogadore Field to return to the point where their season ended a year ago. Aurora upset Gilmour at home in a sectional final last season, but the Lancers feel they’re better prepared at this juncture of the season after playing a tougher schedule. CVCA won 16games during the regular season, highlighted by a victory against University — although the Preppers were missing arguably their best player in Ricky Radtke for that game. The teams share another common opponent in NDCL, a team CVCA lost to by five in December. Gilmour won its two meetings with the Lions, each by double digits. Barnes’ pick: Gilmour

(3) STREETSBORO VS. (6) CHAGRIN FALLS

What: D-II Stow District sectional final When: Feb. 28, 7 p.m. Where: Streetsboro High School, 8585 Route 14 Records: Streetsboro 16-6, Chagrin Falls 16-7 On deck: The winner advances to a Stow District semifinal against the victor between Revere and Aurora. For the record: Chagrin Falls beat Ravenna by 15 in its sectional final to set up a rematch of the Tigers’ 43-42loss to Streetsboro on Jan. 21. The Rockets won their conference for the first time since 2014 and lost three of their last four games headed into the postseason. Notably, Streetsboro ended the regular season with a sevenpoint win at home against Ravenna. Streetsboro features three players who average double-digit scoring, led by Bryce Vecchio’s 16.8 points per game. The Tigers are deep behind Josh Norton, Cam Owen and Xavier Perez. Barnes’ pick: Chagrin Falls

(1) FAIRVIEW VS. (8) WICKLIFFE

What: D-III Bedford District sectional final When: Feb. 28, 7 p.m. Where: Fairview High School, 4507 213th Street Records: Fairview 17-5, Wickliffe 15-6 On deck: The winner advances to a D-III Bedford District semifinal on March 2against the victor between Warrensville Heights and Beachwood. For the record: Wickliffe put forth a strong effort in a 31-point victory against Trinity in its sectional semifinal. If the Blue Devils hope to advance to the district level, their best performance of the season will be required. Luke Howes leads a talented, experienced Fairview team poised to make a deep run in the D-III state tournament. Barnes’ pick: Fairview

(4) WARRENSVILLE HTS. VS. (5) BEACHWOOD

What: D-III Bedford District sectional final When: Feb. 28, 7 p.m. Where: Warrensville Heights High School, 4270 Northfield Road Records: Warrensville Heights 11-12, Beachwood 15-8 On deck: The winner advances to a Bedford District semifinal on March 2against the victor between Fairview and Wickliffe. For the record: Warrensville Heights, despite its record, is surely deserving of a top seed by virtue of its schedule in the Lake Erie League. The Tigers own wins against Lorain, Maple Heights, Bedford and beat University in a nonconference matchup. Beachwood put together a stretch of outstanding basketball throughout the middle portion of the year. Daryl Houston asserted himself as one of the region’s top players, leading the team in scoring at 23 points per game. Opposite him, junior Ramelle Arnold has started since his freshman year and averages 21 points a game. Barnes’ pick: Beachwood

(3) MANTUA CRESTWOOD VS. (6) KIRTLAND

What: D-III Bedford District sectional final When: Feb. 28, 7 p.m. Where: Crestwood High School, 10919North Main Street Records: Crestwood 19-3, Kirtland 17-6 On deck: The winner advances to a Bedford District semifinal on March 3against the victor between Elyria Catholic and Oberlin. For the record: Kirtland compiled a 16-win campaign to win the CVC Valley Division title. The Hornets ousted Cardinal in a sectional semifinal by 30, 67-37. Zach Samsa and Joey Grazia are Kirtland’s statistical leaders but Coach Shawn McGregor’s bench legitimately extends to his 12th man. The Hornets hope their depth will help them pull off an upset deep in Portage County. Crestwood garnered attention for its 19-win regular season that featured victories against Gilmour and Chagrin Falls. Overall, though, the Red Devils’ strength of schedule left something to be desired. Mason Angle leads the team in scoring at 16.8 points per game, while Blaze Angle and Mason Jakacki each average about 15 per game. The Red Devils are undefeated at home this season. Crestwood Barnes’ pick:

(1) RICHMOND HEIGHTS VS. (9) OPEN DOOR

What: D-IV Norton District sectional final When: Feb. 28, 7 p.m. Where: Brush Records: Richmond Heights 18-4, Open Door 11-10 On deck: The winner advances to a Norton District semifinal on March 2against the victor between Independence and Lake Center. For the record: Richmond Heights opens its defense of the Norton District title, and a quest to return to Columbus, with a rematch of the Spartans’ district title game last year. Open Door graduated its key components from last year in Trey Brooks and Jared Bublinec, but Richmond Heights return four of five starters from last year’s group that advanced to the D-IV state semifinals. The Spartans have won 13games in a row and showed they’re ready for the postseason with a win at Massillon Jackson in their regular-season finale. Barnes’ pick: Richmond Heights

(1) BRISTOL VS. (8) NEWBURY

What: D-IV Grand Valley District sectional semifinal When: Feb. 28, 7 p.m. Where: Bristol High School, 1845 Greenville Road NW Records: Bristol 17-5, Newbury 7-16 On deck: The winner advances to a Grand Valley District semifinal on March 2against the victor between Windham and Kinsman Badger. For the record: Newbury overcame a double-digit halftime deficit to beat Cortland Maplewood Feb. 25and close out the Black Knights’ home gym on a victory. Newbury’s reward is a trip to Bristol, the defending Grand Valley District champion. The Black Knights and Panthers met twice during the regular season in Northeast Athletic Conference play and Bristol won each game by an average margin of 50 points. Barnes’ pick: Bristol

(2) ANDREWS OSBORNE VS. (7) FAIRPORT

What: D-IV Grand Valley District sectional final When: Feb. 28, 7 p.m. Where: Andrews Osborne Academy Records: Andrews Osborne 11-11, Fairport 7-16 On deck: The winner advances to a Grand Valley District semifinal on March 3against the victor between Warren JFK and Lordstown. For the record: Fairport won its fourth game in a row, defeating Ashtabula St. John in a sectional final to also pick up its first playoff win since 2014. The game was also the Skippers’ first home playoff game in program history. Jorden Cogswell scored 27 points in the victory and is Fairport’s leading scorer. Andrews Osborne advanced to the district final last year before ultimately falling to Bristol. The Phoenix graduated a few key pieces from that team, led by guard TJ Chapman, but are still solid behind Chris Jarosz and Brandon Charles who each average double-digit scoring. Charles is a force inside, ranking among the area leaders in rebounding and blocked shots. Barnes’ pick: Andrews Osborne Barnes’ record: 17-4