The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
MIDVIEW GRAD STACEY COACHES WHITMER TO D-I FINAL FOUR
After back-to-back district final appearances, Midview basketball icon Anthony Stacey has gotten Toledo Whitmer over the hump.
In his fourth year leading the Panthers’ program, they not only won the district title, but they’re heading to the Division I final four after defeating Garfield Heights at the buzzer to win the regional, 49-47.
Whitmer collides with Centerville in a state semifinal at 8:30 p.m. March 23 held at the University of Dayton.
“It’s obviously been a really fun ride, but it’s also been a lot of work,” Stacey said. “Our kids have sacrificed so much for each other — that’s been the best part to see and watch. Just seeing where we started at and see them mature, it’s been really fun. It’s great for our community, our school and our students.”
While known around Lorain County for his playing exploits, Stacey has now built a reputation as a big-time coach, too. He spent five seasons as an assistant for his alma mater, Bowling Green, before taking the Whitmer job in 2020. He has now led the Panthers to their first regional championship since 2012.
They will be on Ohio’s biggest basketball stage with a chance to bring an even bigger trophy home.
“It’s going to be an unbelievable experience,” Stacey said. “You don’t want to make the moment too big, but it’s a huge moment. We don’t shy away from that these games are bigger than other games. We preach that these games mean more. They’re bigger. But what we talk about is that how we approach the game doesn’t change. What we need to do to give ourselves a chance to be successful doesn’t change.”
It’s no secret why Whitmer made it here with its 25-2 record, but the team showed what it’s made of getting through a tough regional. After losing to 2023 Division I state semifinalist Toledo St. John’s in a district
final, the Panthers got their revenge with 55-48 victory in the regional semis.
They had a quick turnaround to take on an elite Garfield Heights team in a regional final. In what was practically a home game at the University of Toledo, it came down to the final possession. Napoleon Jemison’s putback won it at the horn.
It has been a difficult road to make it to Dayton, but Whitmer isn’t satisfied with just a regional championship. It was an emotional win and moment to knock off Garfield Heights, but there’s more to accomplish.
“On Monday, we talked about our feelings from the (Garfield Heights) game, and from that point on, we haven’t talked about that game,” Stacey said. “I give our guys a lot of credit. They’re still hungry. They know that we’re close, but yet far away at the same time. The guys have been focused. They’re really hungry, and practice has been good. They realize that we have more business to take care of.”
The next opponent is another elite program in Centerville. The Elks are back in the final four for the fourth straight season. The winner of that semifinal
will take on the winner of St. Ignatius and Delaware Hayes for all of the marbles March 24.
Whitmer is led by junior guard Antione West. He averages nearly 20 points per game and holds 11 Division I offers, including seven from high-major programs. West is joined in the backcourt by fellow junior Makhi Leach, who also holds a handful of Division I offers. Both players were first team all-conference and all-district selections. Elijah McLeod was a district honorable mention.
There isn’t a shortage of talent in the Panthers’ locker room, but it has taken more than that to make it to Dayton. It hasn’t been easy on and off the floor at times for this group, but led by Stacey, they’ve stayed together. With their family bond, the ultimate goal is still within reach.
“Our kids have been through a lot,” Stacey said. “We have some of our players and just some of our students that this run has inspired them. Some of our kids don’t have the best home lives, so I think this means so much because we are a true family and we take care of one another. They’ve persevered through that and excelled through that. That’s what makes me so proud and just so happy to be a part of it.”