Boys basketball begins tournament play

Nate Barnes previews games of Feb. 27, with a dozen involving area teams — one in Division I and a full slate in Divisions III and IV.

(6) MAYFIELD VS. (11) NORTH

What: Division I Euclid District sectional semifinal When: Feb. 27, 7p.m. Where: Mayfield High School, 6116Wilson Mills Road Records: Mayfield 17-5, North 3-19 On deck: The winner advances to a Euclid District sectional final at No. 3Mentor on March 3.

For the record: Mayfield underwent one of the area’s most drastic turnarounds in Bob Pacsi’s first as the Wildcats’ head coach. Mayfield has a handful of solid guards in leading scorer Julius Vann, Denzel Seawood, Michael Favazzo and Donny Castellarin. Aaron Hicks finished the season as the area leader in blocks per game. Forward Dillon Coffey adds an offensive dimension that allows the Wildcats to play five-out and cause matchup problems. Mayfield forges its identity on defense, where the Wildcats have shown the ability to lock down high-powered offenses like Brush and Chardon. North appeared to take a step forward in coach Rob Koelling’s second season. After the Rangers upset rival South on Jan. 20, they lost their final 10 games of the regular season. Brandon Barron and Jimmy Arnold have capitalized on their opportunity to play this season. Barron ranks among the area’s scoring leaders.

Barnes’ pick: Mayfield

(8) PERRY VS. (9) HARVEY

What: Division II Ashtabula District sectional semifinal When: Feb. 27, 7p.m. Where: Perry High School, 1 Success Boulevard Records: Perry 10-12, Harvey 10-12 On deck: The winner advances to a Ashtabula District sectional final at Lake Catholic on March 2.

For the record: Each team finished 10-12overall and 6-8 in the CVC Chagrin. Likewise, the teams split their meetings during the regular season. The two games were decided by a total of six points. In short, Perry and Harvey’s matchup on Feb. 27is a toss-up. The Red Raiders defeated the Pirates in the most recent meeting, 49-45, on Feb. 9, during their three-game winning streak. Harvey appeared to be building momentum headed into the postseason before the Red Raiders fell to Beachwood and Riverside, then capped the regular season with a win at Independence. Harvey’s young core of Devon Holbert, Bishop Thomas and Daylin Davis took significant strides during the regular season — particularly Holbert after a move to point guard. Coach Dave Wojciechowski brings legitimate postseason experience to the Red Raiders’ sideline after his seasons at VASJ. Perry has lost seven of its last 10games headed into the postseason. This game will come two weeks to the date of the Pirates’ last win, when Perry beat Wickliffe Feb. 13. The Pirates are dangerous offensively behind the shooting of Drew Schiano and Nate Cubbision and the inside scoring of Matt Cool and Jake Reid. With Al Iacofano and assistant Roy Infalvi on the sideline, Perry won’t be outcoached.

Barnes’ pick: Harvey

(5) CHARDON VS. (12) CONNEAUT

What: Division II Ashtabula District sectional semifinal When: Feb. 27, 7p.m. Where: Chardon High School, 151Chardon Avenue

Records: Chardon 13-9, Conneaut 6-16

On deck: The winner advances to an Ashtabula District sectional final against the winner of Edgewood and Jefferson on March 2.

For the record: Alex Sulka finished the regular season as the area’s leading scorer at 27.8points per game. Mike Laudato also finished as the area leader with 743-pointers made. Alongside point guard Joe Scerbo, Sulka and Laudato lead a lethal Hilltoppers offense. Chardon was one of the area’s streakiest teams this season, and a win against Conneaut could propel the Hilltoppers on a deep tournament run. The Spartans finished the season 6-16. Leading scorer Nathan Skwera scored 12points per game.

Barnes’ pick: Chardon

(7) GENEVA VS. (10) SHAW

What: Division II Ashtabula District sectional semifinal When: Feb. 27, 7p.m. Where: Geneva High School, 1301South Ridge Road East Records: Geneva 12-10, Shaw 9-13 On deck: The winner advances to an Ashtabula District sectional final against Villa Angela-St. Joseph on March 2.

For the record: Geneva nearly doubled its win total of seven last season as the Eagles’ young guards took a major step forward. Nick Stoltz finished among the area’s leaders with 18points and eight rebounds per game. Grant Mihalick and Dakota Harvey flank Stoltz in Geneva’s backcourt. The Eagles often face a size discrepancy but compensate with a five-out, Princeton-style offense that wears teams down with excellent passing and off-ball movement. Shaw is as good of a No. 10seed as there is in the state tournament. The Cardinals flashed potential in wins against Maple Heights and reigning D-IV state champion Lutheran East.

Barnes’ pick: Geneva

(6) GLENVILLE VS. (11) NDCL

What: Division II Ashtabula District sectional semifinal When: Feb. 27, 7p.m. Where: Glenville High School, 650East 113th Street

Records: Glenville 13-9, NDCL 3-19

On deck: The winner advances to an Ashtabula District sectional final against West Geauga March 2.

For the record: NDCL concluded a 3-19regular season after the Lions’ roster underwent some turnover from a season ago. Bright spots for NDCL have been senior forward Brian Carney and sophomore guard Peyton Bissler, the team’s leading scorer. A hand injury forced Bissler to miss a stretch of games before he returned Feb. 23against Lake Catholic. Controlling tempo and possessions will be the key for the Lions to upset the Tarblooders. Glenville won the Senate League, ending East Tech’s four-year stretch atop the conference. Aaron Loines is one of Cleveland’s most athletic players and is capable of compiling a double-double without scoring.

Barnes’ pick: Glenville

(5) CHAGRIN FALLS VS. (12) CLEVELAND JFK

What: Division II Stow District sectional semifinal When: Feb. 27, 7p.m. Where: Chagrin Falls, Records: Chagrin Falls 15-7 On deck: The winner advances to a Stow District sectional final against Warrensville Heights on March 2. For the record: Chagrin Falls tuned up for the tournament in maybe the best way possible with a visit from Cornerstone Christian on Feb. 23. The Tigers held their own and led by nine at halftime before the Patriots’ second-half rally. Coach Dave Bargar gives Chagrin Falls an edge on the sideline and the Tigers are strong at every position. Adam Bencko, Mason Bartlett and Will DiFiore give Chagrin Falls excellent play in the backcourt, Nick DiFiore controls the post and Jenson Yonker has been among the team’s leading scorers since he joined the team for the season’s second half. The Tigers defend well, are sound fundamentally and are a dark horse in this bracket.

Barnes’ pick: Chagrin Falls

(6) HAWKEN VS. (11) ORANGE

What: Division II Stow District sectional semifinal When: Feb. 27, 7p.m. Where: Hawken High School, 12465County Line Road

Records: Hawken 13-9, Orange 6-16

On deck: The winner advances to a sectional final against Woodridge on March 2.

For the record: The Hawks are led by one of the brackets top players in point guard Hugh Brown, who led the team with 19.5points, 3.8assists and 2.4per game alongside 48 3-pointers. Hawken goes as Brown does and more often than not, that’s enough for coach Shawn McGregor’s team to win. Charlie Ross is a capable guard alongside Brown in the backcourt and T.J. Perusek provides the team an interior presence. Hawken’s at its best when it’s playing in transition as its full-court pressure wreaks havoc on opponents. Orange won six games in its first season under head coach Ashen Ward, a former VASJ assistant and Viking alumnus.

Barnes’ pick: Hawken

(8) TRINITY VS. (9) FAIRPORT

What: Division III Garfield Heights District sectional semifinal When: Feb. 27, 7p.m. Where: Trinity High School, 12425Granger Road Records: Trinity 6-15, Fairport 6-15 On deck: The winner advances to a Division III Garfield Heights sectional final against Lutheran East on March 2. For the record: Fairport tripled its win total from a year ago behind its senior core of Corey Paugh, Kasey Carrabine and Mitch Yommer. Juniors Tobin Schafer and Ray Alston have also flashed their ability in big games for the Skippers during the season. Paugh led Fairport with 12.2points per game and 423-pointers. The Skippers share a common opponent with the Trojans in Independence. Trinity swept its two-game series against the Blue Devils, whereas Fairport fell twice to Independence. Trinity is a member of the North Coast League White Division and a stiff schedule should benefit the Trojans in the postseason.

Barnes’ pick: Trinity

(5) CARDINAL VS. (12) BROOKFIELD

What: Division III Warren District sectional semifinal When: Feb. 27, 7p.m. Where: Cardinal High School, 14785North Thompson Avenue

Records: Cardinal 11-11, Brookfield 4-18

On deck: The winner advances to a Warren District sectional final against Garrettsville March 2.

For the record: Cardinal nearly doubled its win total of six from a year ago as its senior class led the Huskies to a .500 season. Four players averaged double-digits for Cardinal, led by Rob Mulh’s 12.8points per game. Rob Bruncak scores 12.5points per game off the bench, Matt Carney averages 12.2points per game and point guard Luke Timas leads the Huskies with 5.2assists next to his 10.2points per game. Mulh and Hayden Cummins combine to create a formidable interior duo for Coach Jon Cummins, averaging 18.7 rebounds and 2.7blocks per game as a tandem. The Huskies are well-balanced and, when focused, are capable of high-level play.

Barnes’ pick: Cardinal

(6) CRESTWOOD VS. (11) BERKSHIRE

What: Division III Warren District sectional semifinal When: Feb. 27, 7p.m. Where: Crestwood High School, 10919Main Street Records: Crestwood 10-12, Berkshire 2-20 On deck: The winner advances to a Warren District sectional final against Newton Falls March 2.

For the record: Berkshire’s endured a rebuilding season after the graduation of a senior class that included John Carroll’s Emil Hess, Ryan Johnson and Nick Guarnera. The Badgers’ wins this season came against Newbury and Grand Valley. Sophomore Mason Jakacki leads the Red Devils at 19points per game.

Barnes’ pick: Crestwood

(8) MAPLEWOOD VS. (9) NEWBURY

What: Division IV Orwell District sectional semifinal When: Feb. 27, 7p.m. Where: Maplewood High School, 2414Greenville Road Northeast

Records: Maplewood 7-11, Newbury 9-11

On deck: The winner advances to an Orwell District sectional final against Cornerstone Christian on March 2.

For the record: The Black Knights nearly doubled their win total of five from last season. Mario Puletti led Newbury with 403-pointers and Noah Parsons also made 29 this season. Owen Mansfield ranked among the area leaders with 8.9rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. Maplewood defeated Newbury, 60-45, in the teams’ matchup on Jan. 30.

Barnes’ pick: Maplewood

(4) RICHMOND HEIGHTS VS. (13) BLOOMFIELD

What: Division IV Orwell District sectional semifinal When: Feb. 27, 7p.m. Where: Richmond Heights High School, 447Richmond Road

Records: Richmond Heights 18-4

On deck: The winner advances to a sectional final against the winner of Warren JFK and Lordstown on March 2.

For the record: Richmond Heights has a legitimate case to be the No. 2or 3seed in this bracket. The Spartans begin their postseason run against Bloomfield. Guards Malik Tucker and Darius Dudley lead Richmond Heights, each averaging more than 14 points per game. Wing Curtis Houston averages 13points, five rebounds and six assists and is one of the Spartans’ most experienced players. B.J. Carter and Gbholohan Adio anchor Richmond Heights’ interior, combining to average more than 20points and 10 rebounds per game. Richmond Heights has the potential to make a run to the district level and could be Cornerstone Christian’s biggest threat in the bracket.

Barnes’ pick: Richmond Hts.