Tourney set to tip for area boys teams

Staff report

High school basketball’s second season begins today for Mahoning Valley schools, with the ultimate goal being the state tournament on March 24-26.

Area teams will begin postseason play at nine sites. District championships are scheduled for March 11-12.

At Struthers, the Division IV tournament will feature McDonald (20-0), which on Saturday tied the Trumbull County record by winning its 63rd consecutive regular-season game. The Blue Devils are the top seed and defending district champion, and will open tournament play on Friday against either Heartland Christian or Lisbon.

The No. 2 seed is Southern (17-3), which plays on Saturday against either Youngstown Christian or Leetonia.

Maplewood (13-7) is the top seed at the Div. IV district tournament hosted by Warren Harding. The Rockets open on Friday against either Bristol or Newbury.

In Div. II, Struthers (18-2) is the top seed at the Boardman tournament. The Wildcats open their postseason against either Salem or West Branch on Wednesday.

The No. 2 seed is Poland (15-5), the defending district champion. The Bulldogs will play either Hubbard or Ravenna on Friday.

In Div. III, tournaments will be hosted by Salem and Howland.

At the Salem site, Akron Manchester is the No. 1 seed, followed by Ursuline, East Palestine and Crestview.

Ursuline opens postseason play on Friday against either St. Thomas or United.

East Palestine will open on Wednesday against either Springfield or Campbell, and Crestivew tips off Tuesday against Rootstown.

At Howland, LaBrae (18-2) is the No. 1 seed, while Newton Falls (16-4) is No. 2.

The Vikings play Thursday against either Champion or Girard, while Newton Falls plays Mineral Ridge on Tuesday.

In Div. I, Warren Harding, Austintown Fitch and Howland will play at Solon High School.

Howland plays Fitch tonight at 7:30 p.m., while Harding will open on Saturday at 1 p.m. against either Euclid or Cleveland Lincoln West.

Boardman, Canfield, Chaney and East will play in the Div. I tournament at the Canton Civic Center.

Boardman plays Wooster tonight, followed by Chaney against North Canton Hoover.

On Tuesday, Canfield plays Massillon and East takes on Canton GlenOak in first-round games.

Defending state champion Massillon Jackson is the No. 1 seed for the Canton tournament.