The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
High school boys basketball tournament capsules
By Ben Hercik
BHercik@news-herald.com
(6) GILMOUR VS. (5) GIRARD
What: Division II district semifinal
When: 7 p.m., March 2 Where: NDCL, 13000 Auburn Road, Chardon Records: Gilmour 14-10, Girard 16-7
Gilmour’s path: Defeated Field, 67-30, def. Strutherst, 69-40 Girard’s path: Defeated Hawken, 50-40
On Deck: The winner will play the winner of Ursuline and Edgewood in a district final on March 4 at 4 p.m. For the Record: Injury woes and one of the toughest schedules in Ohio took a toll on Gilmour’s record. But the Lancers used that schedule to prepare for this part of the season. Brandon Rose has handled the scoring (16.6 ppg) and rebounding (7.4rpg) as one of the few Lancers that played the entire season. Adisa Molton runs the offense, averaging 4.3assists per game. Dorjan Flowers has also helped in that department with 3.9 assists. Add in the shooting of Jimmy Lawless and the Lancers’ offense runs like a well-oiled machine. … While the Girard offense doesn’t average as many points, the Indians’ defense has held teams to 45 points a game. Opponents have broken 50 points only eight times this season, and Girard is 1-7 in those games. They will look to keep the score low.
Gilmour
Hercik’s pick: (18) VASJ VS. (10) ROCKY RIVER
What: Division II district semifinal
When: 7 p.m., March 2 Where: Stow-Munroe Falls, 3227E Graham Road, Stow Records: VASJ 10-14, Rocky River 14-9
VASJ’s path: Defeated Norton, 50-43, def. Elyria Catholic, 51-43
Rocky River’s path: Defeated East Tech, 75-50
Gilmour’s Dorjan Flowers goes for the ball against a Cleveland Heights defender during the regular season. On Deck: The winner will play the winner of Akron Buchtel and Bay in a district final on March 4at 4 p.m. For the Record: VASJ, a Cinderella team that has played a tough schedule, is back in the district round. The young Vikings took their lumps in the regular season but mixed in a number of impressive wins over
Hawken and Lake Catholic.
VASJ is averaging 62.6 points a game a diversity of scorers. Quandell Wright averages 11.9 points a game, and they have several other contributors in Sean Shenker and Brian Kortovich from deep or Demetrius Rivers and Antonio Brown on the inside. … Rocky River brings a more methodical approach. The Pirates average 54.6 points per game while holding opponents to 49.3 points. Will DeClerck leads the way with 10.3 points per game and 8.7 rebounds. The Pirates also have Hakeem Zayed playing a strong role on the glass with 6.1 rebounds. Julian Patti has also been a key scorer with 8.2 points per game. Rocky River will need Gavin O’Brien to get going from deep if the game turns into a track meet.
VASJ