Mentor is top seed at D-I district

Coach Bob Krizancic says his Mentor boys basketball team is close.

Very close. Krizancic’s 12-0 Cardinals appear to be in top shape with D-I tournament fast-approaching. On Feb. 6, Mentor was awarded the No. 1 seed for the 37-team super district that will be broken into four quadrants.

The Cardinals will play in the Northeast 3 sectional/district and open the tournament Feb. 24 against visiting Eastlake North. The winner would play Harvey on Feb. 27. The highest seeded team in Northeast 3 other than Mentor is Solon, so if the seeds hold a Mentor-Solon district final would be March 6.

“We’re getting there,” said Krizancic about the state of his team for the postseason. “I love the athleticism of our team, and we have a mature team. Luke (Chicone) is such a great leader, and I love our locker room. No problems, no egos.”

Chicone is Mentor’s senior point guard who’s averaging more than 20 points and eight assists, but there’s more to the Cardinals than just Chicone. Guards Steven Key and Jonah Waag have provided plenty of offensive support of late. Plus, Ian Kipp is coming along to Krizancic’s liking. On Feb. 6 against Lakewood, Kipp scored 13 points. Another factor is the recent return of Kyle Culler, who’s been out with an injury.

“Culler played five minutes in each of the last two games,” said Krizancic. “Getting him back depth-wise is huge. He’s a great defender and can shoot the basketball.”

If Mentor advances from Northeast 3 it would play the winner of Northeast 1, where the top seeds are No. 3 Massillon Jackson, No. 4 Brush and No. 5 Walsh Jesuit.

In Northeast 2, No. 2 Canton McKinley and No. 8 University are the highest seeds. In Northeast 4, Medina (No. 3) and Shaker Heights (No. 4) are the highest seeds.

The big question after the teams advance from Northeast 1, 2, 3 and 4 is where they will play the regional tournament. The answer Krizancic and his fellow coaches have been given from the Ohio High School Athletic Association:

“They are looking really hard to get neutral sites,” said Krizancic, who added a decision is expected soon.

A look at other area teams at sectional/districts:

• In Divison II, 9-1 Perry is the No. 4 seed in Northeast 1, where Struthers is the No. 1 seed. In Northeast 2, Poland Seminary is the No. 2 seed and Youngstown Chaney is the No. 3.

• In D-III, Beachwood is the No. 5 seed in Northeast 3. Lutheran East is the No. 1 seed in Northeast 4.

• In D-IV, Richmond Heights is the No. 1 seed in Northeast 3. Fairport is the 4 seed, and Cornerstone Christian the 6 seed.

High school scoreboard

MARK KEMPTON — FOR THE NEWS-HERALD Mentor’s Steven Key drives for a shot against Elyria on Jan. 20.

Novak Djokovic signs autographs after defeating Germany’s Alexander Zverev in their ATP Cup match on Feb. 5in Melbourne, Australia.