The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
(1) RICHMOND HEIGHTS VS. (2) WARREN JFK
High school boys basketball tournament capsule
What: D-IV Canton regional semifinal
When: March 10, 6:15 p.m. Where: Canton Fieldhouse, 1815 Harrison Avenue NW Records: Richmond Heights 21-4, Warren JFK 12-13
On deck: The winner advances to the Canton regional final against the victor between McDonald and Lucas on March 13.
For the record: Richmond Heights carries a 16-game winning streak into the regional level after the Spartans defeated Independence and Rittman to defend their Norton District title. Richmond Heights wasn’t challenged much, as the Spartans beat Independence by 39 and led by double-digits for the majority of their 22-point win against Rittman. Josiah Harris and Gbolahan Adio lead the team in scoring, while Jevontae Jones is
Richmond Heights poses with the Division IV Norton District trophy after the Spartans defeated Rittman, 6947, on March 6. playing at a high level in his senior postseason. Junior Jamarr Talbert Jr. provides steady play at point guard and Anthony Maxie’s incredible leaping ability makes him a force around the basket. Malikee Sonie, Ilan Armstrong and Ibn Edwards give coach Quentin Rogers
Clark Kellogg Award watch list Luke Floriea, Mentor: Put up 20points, six assists and four rebounds in Mentor’s district final victory against Brush. Averages 14.8 points and a team-best 2.9steals per game for the Cardinals, while ranking among the area’s best with 6.2assists per game. A 2019 Clark Kellogg Award finalist, second team all-district choice is arguably the engine of a high-powered Mentor team. Luke Frazier, Lake Catholic: High-flying guard finished the regular season averaging a team-high 22.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.1steals and 2.2 blocks per game for the Cougars. Dayton signee was named the D-II Northeast Lakes District Player of the Year after an outstanding finish to his season year. Program’s second all-time leading scorer concluded his career as Lake Catholic’s all-time leader in assists and steals.
Josiah Harris, Richmond Heights: Posted 12points in a district semifinal win against Independence then scored a game-high 21 points in a victory over Rittman to claim the Norton District title. Sophomore wing led the Spartans with 20.2 points and 11.8 rebounds per game during
quality minutes off the bench. Warren JFK beat Andrews Osborne by eight then knocked off No. 1 seed Bristol by 14 in the Grand Valley title game. The Eagles met the Spartans in the 2018 postseason and handed Richmond Heights a loss, although that was a much the regular season. First team all-district selection is among the most dangerous all-around players at 6-foot7with the ability to score in the post, shoot from the perimeter and protect the rim.
Daryl Houston, Beachwood: Dynamic junior point guard led Beachwood with 23.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.3assists and 3.3steals per game during the regular season. One of the area’s best defensive players, regardless of position. First team all-district selection was named the CVC Chagrin MVP.
John Hugley, Brush: Dominant 6-foot-10 senior led Brush with 24 points, 13.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. Finished his career with 1,660 points and 1,170 rebounds. Set the Arcs’ single-game scoring record with 52 points in their WRC-clinching victory at Mayfield. D-I Northeast Lakes District Player of the Year posted 16points and 15 boards in a district semifinal victory against Cleveland Heights. Led all scorers with 35 points and added 15 rebounds in the Euclid District final against Mentor.
Josh Irwin, West Geauga: Led the Wolverines with 22.7 points and a 12.3
different team than the current group of Spartans. Mark Komlanc is an excellent coach who will have his team prepared to challenge Richmond Heights. The Eagles, formerly of the North Coast League, are now independent and challenged themselves with matchups against Cleveland Central Catholic, Canton GlenOak and Hudson WRA throughout the year. Warren JFK opened its district final against Bristol with a 22-2 run, so Richmond Heights must avoid a slow start. Junior Cam Hollobaugh, a 6-foot wing, leads the team with 17.5 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Sophomore TJ Harden also averages 11.7 points and seven boards per game. The teams share no common opponents but the Eagles did encounter a handful of area teams this year. Warren JFK beat Andrews Osborne and NDCL, but fell to Gilmour and VASJ during the regular season.
Barnes’ pick: Richmond Heights
Barnes’ record: 36-9 rebounds per game alongside 55 3-pointers in the regular season. First team all-district choice became the program’s all-time leading scorer in West Geauga’s sectional final victory against Edgewood. At the end of his junior season, Irwin already holds the program’s career scoring, rebounding and 3-point shooting records.
Connor O’Toole, Gilmour: One of Northeast Ohio’s most skilled all-around players led the Lancers with 12.8points, 6.2assists and 1.8steals per game. Sixty 3-pointers ranked among the area’s leaders. First team all-district selection became the Lancers’ all-time leader in assists and 3-point shooting this season.
Chad Rogers, Mentor:
A Penn State baseball signee, the senior forward has dominated in his final basketball season. Leads the Cardinals with 21.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, and has also knocked down 47 3-pointers on a 41 percent clip. Second team all-district selection posted 22 points and 10 boards in a district semifinal win against University, then 21 points and seven rebounds in the Euclid District final.