Boys basketball

Boys basketball

Tourney previews

DIVISION IV

Youngstown Christian vs. Villa Angela-St. Joseph

When: 7:30 p.m., today

Where: Canton Memorial Fieldhouse

Records: Youngstown Christian 16-8; VASJ 22-4.

Next: The winner faces Delphos St. John’s or Troy Christian at 10:45 a.m. March 22 in a state semifinal.

Coaches: Dolph Carroll, YCS; Babe Kwasniak, VASJ.

Players to watch: YCS — Daylen Williams (6-1, senior, 17.4 ppg, first team all-district), Jayquan Yanno (6-2, senior, special mention all-district), Nick Gonda (6-3, senior, special mention all-district), Darrien Townsend (5-9, junior), Tymere Dubose (6-5, junior); VASJ — Duane Gibson (6-3, senior, district player of the year, Evansville recruit), Carlton Bragg (6-9, sophomore, 16.7 ppg, first team all-district), Demonte Flannigan (6-7, senior, 16.2 ppg, first team all-district, Cleveland State recruit), Brian Parker (6-4, sophomore, 14.4 ppg, second team all-district.

The skinny: VASJ finished second in the final Associated Press state poll. ... YCS lost a 57-47 decision to Lutheran East in the regional championship game in 2009, the Eagles only previous trip to the regionals. ... VASJ has been to the state Final Four 10 times in school history, the last time in 2008.

DIVISION III

LaBrae vs. Beachwood

When: 7 p.m., Saturday

Where: Canton Memorial Fieldhouse

Records: LaBrae 23-3; Beachwood 23-3.

Next: The winner faces Cincinnati Roger Bacon or Versailles Thursday at 2 p.m. in a state semifinal.

Coaches: Chad Kiser for LaBrae; Jason Pecjak for Beachwood.

Players to watch: LaBrae — Peyton Aldridge (6-7, junior, 19.8 ppg, district player of the year for the second straight season), Carl Brown (5-10, senior, special mention all-district), John Richards (6-0, senior, special mention all-district); Beachwood — John Davis III (5-10, junior, 20.3 ppg, district player of the year), Jordan Richardson (6-4, senior, 10.7 ppg, second team all-district).

The skinny: Beachwood was ranked eighth in the final Associated Press state poll. ... This is the first regional final appearance for both schools.

Staff report