BOYS REGIONAL BASKETBALL Salem, Ursuline, Ridge in action

They begin their quest for a state berth this week in Canton.
By JOHN BASSETTI
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
Jeff Brink of Salem High is taking another stab at the regional pinata, while Keith Gunther of Ursuline and Del Ruiter of Mineral Ridge are getting their first taste at the Sweet 16.
Regional play begins for boys basketball teams around the state starting tonight.
In Division II, Brink's Quakers (20-3) play Painesville Harvey (18-5) Thursday at the Canton Civic Center.
Brink was at Springfield for five years, including the 2002-03 season, when the Tigers reached the regional before losing to Bedford Chanel. That was the team's first regional appearance after 35 years.
First regional since 1976
In his third season at Salem, Brink brought the Quakers their first district crown since 1976. Brink is concerned with Harvey point guard Scott Aston, a 5-foot-10 junior.
"He has the ability to break down a defense on the dribble and is also a great perimeter shoooter," Brink said.
Giving Harvey strength inside is 6-7 senior Chris Crawford.
Salem faced teams with size similar to Harvey -- such as Poland and Howland -- but the Quakers may have trouble with Harvey's versatility.
"The problem is their combination of size, speed and shooting ability. They can get it inside to the post, shoot from the perimeter or be excellent in transition. That makes them very dangerous."
Devonne Johnson is a 6-7 forward, but he's also comfortable on the outside. Another 3-point threat is Julian Mangano.
"[Johnson is] good at shooting range if need be," Brink said, "but he's also a slasher who takes it to the basket."
"We'll have to play our best basketball to be successful," said Brink, whose lineup consists of 6-3 Tom Jesko (18 points per game), 6-6 Ryan Benchwick (15 ppg, 6.5 rebounds per game), 6-4 Tyler Pierce (9.0, 6-0), 5-10 Jarin Heath (8.0) and Adam Hickey.
"We have to control the tempo and make sure they don't get out in transition," Brink said of Harvey. "We've got to force them to make some decisions in a half-court offense, make them work each possesssion and make each possession for us count."
Irish set in Division III
In Div. III, Ursuline plays Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph Wednesday at the Canton Fieldhouse.
Gunther, also in his third year, said the district championship win over Campbell Memorial (43-41) was a huge motivational tool for his team.
"We're now only two games [wins] away [from state]. With St. Joe's, there's a chance. We're pretty even schedule-wise. We're right around the same talent level. Hopefully, we'll put a great game plan together and keep jelling and play in the final on Saturday," he said.
Akson St. Vincent-St. Mary and Akron Hoban were common opponents.
SV-SM beat VA-SJ by three and Ursuline by 12. Ursuline lost to Hoban by one, while VA-SJ lost to Hoban by 12.
Ursuline's last regional appearance was 1997, when the Irish were coached by current Campbell coach Brian Danilov.
"We've got to take one major player out of this game coming up," Gunther said of VA-SJ's David Lightly, a 6-5 guard headed to Ohio State. "The key for us if we're going to have a chance to win is making sure we contain him."
Rams take on Windham
In Div. IV, Mineral Ridge plays Windham tonight at the Canton Fieldhouse.
Sixth-year coach Del Ruiter gave two one-word descriptions and one two-word description of his team: Physical. Athletic. Senior leadership.
"Expect a physical game from the Rams," said Ruiter. "You're going to have a battle on your hands."
The Rams' last regional appearance was in 1987-88 when they lost in the semifinals to Zanesville Rosecrans.
Ruiter's eight seniors have been through it all, he said of a losing season as sophomores, a partially successful year as juniors and a very successful 2005-06.
The coach pointed out that his starting lineup comprises the quarterback, running back and wide receiver positions on the playoff-qualifying football teams of the last two seasons.
Vance Keirsey was the Rams' quarterback. In basketball, he was NEO Inland district player-of-the-year, an honor he shared with, ironically, Windham's Ian McGuire.
"Vance scored over 1,000 points in his career," said Ruiter. Keirsey, a forward, is averaging 17.6 points and 9.9 rebounds per game.
John Hack and Micah Hall are forwards and standout running backs. Guards Wade Campbell and Nick Diana were wide receivers.
"He could possibly be a starter if any starter got in trouble," Ruiter said of Garland, who made three key baskets in Mineral Ridge's 58-55 district final win over McDonald.
The other seniors are Mike McRoberts and Jason Jones.
Junior Dan Hawout transferred from McDonald at the outset of this school year and Nick Dominic is another junior who saw time in two tournament games. Sophomore T.J. Bevilacqua rounds out the varsity squad of 11.
Ruiter is convinced that Windham is a mirror of his own team.
"The only problem I foresee facing them, would be that they have better outside shooters," he said.