Boys basketball tournament capsule

(1) RICHMOND HEIGHTS VS. (4) CUYAHOGA HEIGHTS

What: Division IV district semifinal

When: 7 p.m., Feb. 28 Where: Norton, One Panther Way, Norton

Records: Richmond Heights (19-4), Cuyahoga Heights (18-6)

Richmond Heights’ path: Defeated Lake Ridge Academy 85-26

Cuyahoga Heights’ path: Defeated Cleveland Campus International 78-22, Def. Mogadore 61-46

On deck: Winner advances to play winner of (2) Dalton and (3) Cornerstone in a

Division IV district final on March 3at Norton.

For the record: Richmond Heights has a versatile group of scorers with Josiah Harris and London Maiden down low and the duo of Dorian Jones and Jaiden CoxHolloway beyond the arc. The Spartans have averaged 74 points per game. In five of their last seven, they have averaged 80points. Several of those games were without their leading scorer in Harris, who recently returned from injury. … Richmond Heights’ defense has also been strong this season as the Spartans have allowed 56.9points per game. DeErick Barber is a strong on-ball defender who averages just over 3.0steals a contest. Add in Harris and Maiden’s work on both ends of the glass (both averaging 10rebounds and 1.5blocks per game) and Richmond Heights is just as good defensively as it is offensively. … Cuyahoga Heights features a trio of players averaging double-digit points per game in Dominic Belko (13.2), Braylan McClardy (12.2) and Nate Biggers (11.6). David Collins is the team’s leading rebounder with an average of 7.9. But only averaging 56.9points per game, Cuyahoga Heights will need to find a spark if they hope to keep pace with the Spartans.

Hercik’s pick: Richmond