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Boys basketball tournaments begin this week
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Poland senior Jacob Wolfe will lead the top-seeded Bulldogs in the Division II Warren district, while LaBrae senior Peyton Aldridge and the top-seeded Vikings aim to win another Division III title at the Howland district.
By Steve Ruman
A regular season which began in November and was often interrupted by harsh weather has come to an end.
Now for 50 area schools in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull Counties, the tournament trail begins.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association post-season tournament begins statewide this week with the start of sectional play. In Ohio, there are 798 high schools which participate in basketball. Of those, 794 will end their season with a loss, while four will earn a state crown in their respective divisions.
For area teams, the road to Columbus begins either at home or at the gymnasium of their sectional opponent. Under a new format adopted by the Northeast Ohio District Athletic Board, home court advantage is awarded to the higher-seeded team in all sectional-round games. District semifinal and final games will be played at neutral locations.
SDLqThis is a special time of year. It’s a new beginning for every team in the state,” said Wellsville coach David Thompson. “It always comes down to simple execution once the tournament tips off. The one-and-done format creates a lot of tension, and it keeps teams extremely focused.”
Wellsville (20-2) is the top-seeded team in the Division IV Struthers district which includes seven schools from the Inter Tri-County League. The Tigers reached the district final last year before falling to Youngstown Christian. They have eight players back from last year’s squad.
“We’re very familiar with a lot of the teams in our district, but they know us too,” Thompson said. “The potential of playing a team a third time in one season really isn’t an issue, because we’ve all experienced it before.
“As far as last year is concerned, our guys never talk about it. We’re just focused on the task at hand.”
Seven Trumbull County schools are among the 12-team Division IV Orwell District. Among them, Warren JFK (8-13) is a fifth-seed which will open the tournament with a home game against Newbury. The Eagles ended their regular season by winning six of eight, and should pose a threat to teams such as Windham, Maplewood and top-seeded Willoughby Cornerstone Christian.
“Teams like Windham and Maplewood are always well-coached and they will be dangerous as always,” said JFK coach Shawn Pompelia. “Cornerstone Christian is a superb team. They have a D-I and a D-II recruit. They are a great shooting team and are a legitimate threat to make a long run.”
Even though JFK benefits by hosting a first-round game, Pompelia — like the majority of area coaches — said he would rather see all the sectional-round games played at a central neutral site.
“As coaches, we can’t see any of the sectional games because they’re all played on the same night,” Pompelia said. “I’m also going to miss the camaraderie that existed among players and coaches when everyone gathered at one location.”
LaBrae (17-5) will look to defend its Division III district title when it hosts a sectional final game against either Champion or Middlefield Cardinal. The Vikings are one of six All American Conference schools in a Howland district which also includes Ursuline.
“As usual, our district will have the feel of a conference tournament minus Campbell,” said Vikings coach Chad Kiser. “For the most part we’re all familiar with each other, so there is no surprising any of your opponents.”
LaBrae and Ursuline are seeded one and two, respectively.
“Right now Ursuline is playing better than any team in our district,” Kiser said. “They will definitely pose a challenge.”
Campbell (14-7) earned the top seed in the Division III Salem district which includes 10 area schools – including nine from the ITCL. Springfield, Lisbon and Canton Central Catholic round out the top four seeds.
The Red Devils on Friday host either Jackson-Milton or East Palestine.
“I think Canton Central Catholic is the darkhorse in our district, mainly because most of the other teams are familiar with each other,” said Campbell coach Mike Szenborn. “They are a .500 club, but their schedule is extremely strong.”
After being held in Boardman for the past 19 years, the area’s Division II district moves to Warren.
Cardinal Mooney (11-9) looks to defend its DII district title, but will have its hands full with the likes of Poland (19-2) and Canfield (18-4).
Five area Division I schools are spread out into three different districts. Boardman and Austintown Fitch are part of the Copley District. Youngstown East will open against either Massillon Jackson or Lodi Cloverleaf in the Canton brackets, while Warren Harding and Howland are among a Euclid district which includes Mentor, Cleveland East Tech and Glenville.
The tournament trail concludes March 22 when four state champions will be crowned at Value City Arena in Columbus.