The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Few surprises in district bracket draws
Brackets for the state’s basketball tournament were unveiled Feb. 9, the first sign of the postseason’s imminent arrival at the end of the month.
With some minor exceptions, districts involving area teams were laid out as expected.
Mentor was voted the No. 1 seed at the Division I Euclid District, and deservedly so. The Cardinals are historically dominant there and return as the district’s defending champion. With a solid record and signature wins against Medina and Shaker Heights, their resume befits a team on the top line.
Brush received the second seed as the Arcs dominated their conference but could have used wins in close losses against Cleveland Heights and Lutheran East to help bolster an outstanding record. District voters recognized Harvey’s success in the CVC this season and put the Red Raiders on the third line. Depending on how Cleveland Heights’ appeal of its removal from the state tournament plays out, the top four at this district could be shaken up.
University earned a higher seed than Benedictine, likely because of the Preppers’ stronger record. Madison was voted above Mayfield although the Wildcats won the teams’ first meeting, but the Blue Streaks possessed a superior record.
At the Twinsburg District, the top seeds of Shaker Heights, Garfield Heights, Solon and Warren Harding made sense.
Euclid played a strong schedule but the Panthers’ sub-.500 record made it easy for voters to place Hudson and Bedford above them. Kenston received the No. 8 seed after the Bombers started the year 6-2 but went into the voting at 9-9.
Lutheran East, new to D-II this year, is 15-3 with a number of signature wins on its slate and was the clear choice as the Ashtabula District’s top seed. Lake Catholic fits as the second seed and voters appeared to respect Villa Angela-St. Joseph’s recent track record, placing the Vikings fourth despite a losing record.
West Geauga, the No. 5 seed, is playing well headed into March and owns a head-to-head win over sixth-seeded Perry. Chardon appears slightly underseed at No. 11, but consistency throughout the regular season would have helped the Hilltoppers case.
Gilmour was voted the No. 4 seed at Stow, where Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary is on the top line. The Lancers won a tiebreaker with CVCA for the fourth seed and their strength of schedule figured to give them a better chance at the third seed, taken by Woodridge. Likewise, Chagrin Falls received the sixth seed despite a 14-6 record.
In Division III, Fairview received the top seed at Bedford where Beachwood, Kirtland, Wickliffe, Berkshire and Cardinal will compete. The Bison have played well lately, but received the fifth seed. No. 4 Warrensville Heights owns quality wins and No. 3 Mantua Crestwood has buzz after spending most of the season in the state poll. Kirtland was voted the sixth seed, although the Hornets rolled through their conference and are 15-5.
Richmond Heights return to defend its district title, and begin another quest toward the D-IV final four, as the top seed at Norton. The Spartans’ only losses were to teams from larger divisions, and all of their wins in conference play were blowouts.
At Grand Valley, Andrews Osborne is the second seed, Fairport received the No. 7 seed and Newbury begins its final postseason seeded eighth. At the time of the seed voting, the Phoenix were the only team beside No. 1 seed Bristol to own a winning record — but still needed a tiebreaker to take the second line over 6-11 Warren JFK.