Scouting state: Breaking down the OHSAA boys basketball semifinals for central Ohio teams
Two central Ohio boys basketball teams will end their seasons this weekend in the state tournament at University of Dayton Arena.
One is a newcomer to this stage, and the other is a familiar name.
In Division I, Delaware Hayes will make its state debut Saturday in a semifinal against Cleveland St. Ignatius. The Pacers had not advanced past a regional semifinal before last week, and on Saturday knocked off Olentangy Orange 74-56 in the final.
On Friday in Division III, Harvest Prep will make its sixth state appearance in a decade and eighth since 2007 when it faces Ottawa-Glandorf in a semifinal. The Warriors lost at that stage a season ago to eventual champion Cleveland Heights Lutheran East.
No central Ohio teams made state in divisions II and IV.
Here are previews for semifinals involving central Ohio teams, and what to watch for in divisions II and IV:
Division I: Delaware Hayes vs. Cleveland St. Ignatius, 5:15 p.m. Saturday
Delaware (27-1) and St. Ignatius (24-3) enter their semifinal with a disparity in terms of previous state experience. Delaware is at state for the first time, while the Wildcats are in their eighth state tournament and seeking their first title since 2001 and second overall. St. Ignatius also made state in 2022 and 2021.
“When you get to the Division I level of the (state tournament), every region claims they have the best basketball,” Delaware coach Adam Vincenzo said. “Northeast Ohio swept all the state titles last year, so they have bragging rights, but basketball in the state of Ohio is phenomenal, especially in Columbus, Cincinnati, the Cleveland area and the Toledo region. It’s a lot of good basketball.
“There’s a little extra pride playing for your region on a stage like this. We believe central Ohio is the deepest and there’s a lot of talent here.”
The Pacers, who have won 21 consecutive games, are led by senior guard/forward Jesse Burris (15.7 points, 6.1 rebounds) and 6-foot-7 junior forward Landon Vanderwarker (15.0 points, 7.5 rebounds). Burris is an Ohio University signee.
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St. Ignatius has received a balanced effort led by guards Quinn Woidke (15 points) and Jack Zapoinik (11 points), forward Damon Friery (11 points) and center Reece Robinson (10 points, 8 rebounds).
The Wildcats will be without senior center Sam Springer (8 points), an Air Force commit who had season-ending foot surgery.
“They’re big and they’re long, but we’re ready to go,” Vincenzo said. “They play a lot of guys. Their schedule was out of this world. They played Centerville. They played Reynoldsburg. They traveled out of the state, so they load up on the schedule.”
The winner plays Centerville (17-8) or Toledo Whitmer (25-2) in the final at 8:30 p.m. Sunday.
Division III: Harvest Prep vs. Ottawa-Glandorf, 5:15 p.m. Friday
Not only is a two-point regular-season loss to Ottawa-Glandorf in 2022 on Harvest Prep’s mind this week, so is last year’s semifinal loss to Lutheran East.
Playing without top scorer and four-year starter Nyelle Shaheed, the Warriors fell 65-44.
Harvest Prep (23-4) is riding a 16-game winning streak dating to Jan. 2 and relishes the challenge posed by the top-ranked Titans (24-3) and star senior Colin White, a 6-6 Ohio State signee who was named Mr. Basketball on Wednesday.
“It’s a big, big, big challenge,” coach David Dennis Sr. said. “We know they’re not a one-man show. They have a team. People might go in saying we have to stop Colin White, but we’re going in saying we have to stop Ottawa-Glandorf.”
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White, who scored 26 points in Saturday’s regional final win over Castalia Margaretta and averages 24.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.1 steals, has a supporting cast that includes senior forward Caden Erford (6-4, 190) and junior guard Grady Toumazos (6-0, 165). Ottawa-Glandorf is at state for the fourth year in a row and 11th time overall.
The Titans’ championships came in 2013, 2008 and 2004. Harvest Prep won its only title in 2019.
“Our supporting cast has done a phenomenal job of developing and getting more confidence,” Titans coach Tyson McLaughlin said. “We have multiple guys trying to make plays and step up at big times.”
The winner plays Camden Preble Shawnee (21-5) or Lutheran East (24-3) for the title at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Division II: Shelby vs. Zanesville Maysville, 2 p.m. Saturday
Shelby (25-2) and Maysville (25-3) will square off in the second Division II state semifinal, and both are in uncharted territory.
Maysville captured its first regional title since 1971, rallying from a 15-point halftime deficit to beat Vincent Warren 72-64 last Saturday at Ohio University.
In the regional semifinal, Maysville stunned Hartley 50-49 on Alex Bobb’s banked in 3-pointer as time expired.
In 1971, Maysville lost to Warren Champion 71-61 in a Class AA state semifinal.
Competing in its first state tournament, Shelby upended 2023 state runner-up Rocky River Lutheran West 55-46 in its regional final.
The winner plays Kettering Alter (21-7) or Youngstown Ursuline (24-3) for the championship at 5:15 p.m. Sunday.
Division IV: Richmond Heights seeks repeat
Whether the Spartans (17-9) have as dominant a weekend as last year remains to be seen, but eyes are on them as they try to win a second consecutive title after a challenging regular season.
Richmond Heights went on a 50-6 run in last year’s final to rout Convoy Crestview 70-26. Another western Ohio team, Russia (27-1), stands in Richmond Heights’ way in Friday’s second Division IV semifinal at 2 p.m.
Russia won two regional games by a combined 72 points, including 71-20 over Fisher Catholic in a semifinal.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen on Friday, but one thing I know is we’re not going to step on the floor scared,” Russia coach Spencer Cordonnier said. “There’s no moment that’s too big for them. ... They worry about themselves more than anything else. They’re not flashy; they’re not cocky. They just take care of their own business.”
Lima Central Catholic (26-2) and Berlin Hiland (22-6) square off in the first semifinal. The state final is 10:45 a.m. Sunday.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Scouting the OHSAA boys basketball state semis for central Ohio
