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When it comes to the Division IV tournament, there was a lot of people that “thought” they knew how things would go. If there is one thing the Division IV session taught us it was what would thought was not the case.
Lima Central Catholic and Berlin Hiland met up to start things off. Hiland was without 2 starters and had needed a massive comeback to win their Region. LCC however had found a way to win up to this point in the year. One would think the Thunderbirds would be the favorites. Hiland must not have heard that. Or cared. The Hawks started the game out with a patient, halfcourt focused offense which gave them a quick 8-0 lead. LCC was forcing shots and giving the Hawks the ball back. So much so that Hiland got a comfortable 18-7 lead early on. The Thunderbirds made adjustments, but none bigger than extending their defensive pressure full court. That they could control. What they couldn’t control would follow. HIland’s standout, Sammy Detweiler (Sr), who had scored 13 points in the opening quarter, picked up his 3rd foul at the 5:32 mark in the 2nd quarter. Suddenly, LCC had an 8-2 run started. But Hiland countered once the lead got to 6. The Hawks would go into the half up 34-24, but showed some vulnerabilities. In the 3rd quarter, Hiland had their biggest moment of adversity as Detweiler picked up his 4th foul at the 6:50 mark with their lead. Not only that, but the Thunderbirds came out on a 9-2 run out of the half. Their defensive pressure and sudden perimeter shooting gave them momentum and the T-Birds went into the final quarter down 42-39. Then Detweiler got his groove back. The Hawks came out on a 5-0 run behind Detweiler to extend 47-39. The T-Birds started matching behind Carson Parker (Sr) who semmingly made shots whenever they were needed. The Birds got the game back to a 51-51 tie in the final 2 minutes. Jayden Priddy (So) had a look from 3 to try and win the game, but missed it. Billy Bourk (Sr) then had a chance to get a putback, but also missed. So we enter OT. It went about how the last 2 minutes of regulation went…both teams trading blows. With 7 seconds left, Detweiler got a shot from about 16-feet. But missed long. Priddy came down with the board and went the length of teh floor; getting a layup attempt up before the buzzer. It was a little too strong. Into the 2nd OT, the theme continued. Lima Central Catholic answered every Hiland bucket until the final possession. Hiland possessed the ball with Detweiler, who attacked the right side beofre the help came over. A skip pass and then touch pass put the ball into the hands of Nick Wigton (Jr). The shot will be remembered for a long time as one of the biggest shots in Hiland history. Nothing but net, and Hiland punched their ticket to the State Finals. After the celebration, we got into the rematch. Russia and Richmond Heights were squaring up for the 2nd straight year with a chance to face the Hawks on the line. Russia was familiar and confident entering the game. But Richmond Heights was a little more prepared. The Spartans used their size and pressure defense to jump out early 11-3. Russia couldn’t get any open looks, and the shots they did take weren’t great. Finally, the Raiders settled in. Russia would get some shots to fall and went into the first break down 17-11. That’s when things got interesting. Russia started going shot-for-shot with the mighty Spartans. Brayden Monnin (Sr) and Braylon Cordonnier (Jr) were connecting from the perimeter. But for every bucket, Dorian Jones (Jr) seemed to counter. Then Hosea Steele (Sr) picked up his 3rd foul with 2:55 to play. You could sense some momentum building for the Raiders. When Jeremy Wilson (Sr) picked his 3rd foul up 52 seconds later, it was even more apparent. Jones picked up his 3rd foul at the 1:21 mark. The blood in the water was there. Game got tied at 29 until a free throw gave Richmond Heights a 31-29 lead at the half. After the half, the Spartans got another blow as Jones got his 4th foul less than two minutes into the quarter, which came with an ovation from the Russia faithful as they saw their team had a chance. Richmond Heights shifted to a 3-2 zone in an attempt to slow the Raiders down and allow them to get their defensive pressure up. Russia would find some layups and was going punch-for-punch. Richmond Heights still held it 42-39. Jones then picked up his 5th foul. At the 5:45 mark, Jones drove baseline but was called for a charge sending him to the bench. One would think with their best player on the bench, Richmond Heights was in trouble. DeErick Barber (Jr) said wait just a second. The 5-foot-11 PG started attacking the rim, finishing shots through contact. Russia couldn’t get shots to fall. Fatigue started to settle in. Richmond Heights got the lead back up to 8. Then it was 10. The Spartans would hold on and secure their 3rd straight appearance in the State Final. And they were going to have a chance to go for the 3-peat against a hungry Hiland team.
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Division I
St. Ignatius vs Delaware Hayes Iggy returns to Dayton for the first time since 2022 and is making their 3rd trip in the last 4 years. The Wildcats took a few losses with some transfer out in the offseason, but they had one of the most consistent teams this year with wins against Reynoldsburg, Centerville, Lutheran West and Lutheran East to name a few. Quinn Woidke (Jr) has returned after missing last year with injuries and has emerged as Iggy’s go-to guard. Damon Friery (Jr) and Cleveland State commit Reece Robinson (Sr) are both All-District finishers and bring size at 6’9 and 6’8. Hayes is making their first ever appearance in school history. The Pacers have not lost since December 22, 2023 to Westerville South. Jesse Burris (Sr), an Ohio University commit, and Landon Vanderwarker (Jr), a transfer from Northside Christian, form one of the best one-two punches in the state this year. Role guys Carter Piatt-Brown (Jr) and Jake Lowman (Sr) both also return giving the Burris/Vanderwarker combo support. Centerville vs Whitmer Centerville is back for the 4th straight year to Dayton as they arrived in dramatic fashion with a double OT victory over Moeller in the Regional Final. The Elks have had an up-and-down year, but found their rhythm come tournament time and have returned back to UD Arena. Jonathan Powell (Sr) has been the scoring go-to for Centerville all year and was the hero that gave the Elks their State appearance. Boboucarr Njie (Sr) has made massive strides and is a threat on both ends of the floor at 6’7. Eli and Ethan Greenburg provide guard and wing depth. Speaking of dramatic finish, Whitmer is familiar with this after needing a buzzer-beater to knock out Garfield Heights in the Regional Finals. Whitmer is returning to the State tournament for the first time since 2012 when they were State Runner-Up. The Panthers have one of the best scoring combos in Antoine West (Jr) and Makhi Leach (Jr) and have a strong nucleus around them to challenge the Elks. Division II Alter vs Ursuline Alter makes another trip to the State Final Four after convincing victories over Jonathan Alder and Wyoming in the Regionals. Alter has been considered one of the favorites in the D2 state title run since the beginning of the year and are making their first appearance since 2022. This group has a unique blend of guards. RJ Greer (Jr), who transferred over from Springboro and is a highly recruited prospect, leads them in scoring. Senior guards Gavin Leen and Joe Brand have impacted the game on both ends of the floor and add guard depth. Throw in size with Brady Conner (Jr) and Charlie Uhl (Jr) and the Knights have the pieces to be a tough out in Dayton. Ursuline is making their first State appearance since 1994 when they won a state title. The Fighting Irish dominated against Villa Angela-St. Joseph and Canfield to find their way to Dayton. Jaden Payne (Sr) is an interior nightmare and will give the Knights problems on both the glass and offensively in the paint. Jaylen Gunther (Fr) has been a huge addition as well giving the Irish more scoring firepower on the perimeter. Ursuline enters the tournament with plenty of momentum and are going to try and challenge Alter with their size and scoring. Maysville vs Shelby The 2nd semifinal features two teams making their first appearances at the State Final Four. Maysville made it to Dayton in dramatic fashion as Alex Bobb (Sr) made a buzzer beater to beat favorite Bishop Hartley, and then defeated Vincent Warren to punch their ticket. Bobb was the Southeast District Player of the Year in Division II and has been the go-to guy for the Panthers this whole season. Shelby makes their appearance after beating a young Lima Shawnee team and then stunning heavy state favorite Lutheran West, to make their first appearance in school history. Wright State commit Alex Bruskotter (Sr) was co-Northwest District Player of the Year in Division II. He has a strong senior heavy core including Casey Lantz (Sr) around him that makes this Whippets team very difficult to prepare for. Division III Harvest Prep vs Ottawa-Glandorf Harvest Prep is back at UD Arena for the 2nd straight year as the Warriors won double digit games against North Adams and previously undefeated Malvern to return to Dayton. Brandon Roddy (Jr) is the straw that stirs the drink for the Warriors and has length and athleticism in Adonus Abrams (Jr) and Ephraim Campbell (So). Harvest Prep has played a strong schedule that prepares them for these tournament runs and has the depth, size and skill to be a tough out. Ottawa-Glandorf returns to Dayton for the 4th straight season as the Titans defeated Emmanuel Christian and Margaretta in their Regional games. The Titans have a straight winner in Ohio State commit Colin White (Sr), who is a Mr. Basketball candidate and was Northwest District Player of the Year. White has been to the state tournament every year since he arrived at O-G, and now he will try to lead the Titans to another State title. Caden Ernford (Sr) has been White’s running mate all season and makes O-G a dangerous team to beat at UD. Lutheran East vs Preble Shawnee The defending champion Lue East is making their 7th straight appearance at the State tournament and this time similar to last season is extremely talented. Michigan State commit Jesse McColloch (Sr) was the Northeast District Player of the Year and is a Mr. Basketball candidate. At 6’10, there are few teams that can match the size and stretch ability he brings to the floor. Guards Chauncey Brashers (Sr) and Anthony Bruce (Sr), along with wing Ronald Taylor (Sr) were part of the state title team last year and bring experience to the floor. Chris Hill (Fr) has been a major addition in the backcourt as well. Preble Shawnee is making their first appearance at the State Final Four. Led by IPFW commit Mason Shrout (Sr), the Arrows have been a dangerous team in Southwest Ohio and defeated WOAC rival Tri-Village as well as Versailles in the Regional Semifinals. Shrout was the Southwest District Player of the Year and has several upperclassmen returning around him. Logan Hawley (Sr) brings size at 6’8 and Brayden Robinette (Jr) gives Shorut another option out in the backcourt. Division IV Lima Central Catholic vs Berlin-Hiland LCC makes their first appearance at the state tournament since 2016 when they won the Division III state title. Coach Sean Powell is no stranger to coaching in the state tournament, as he led Botkins to a state title in 2021. Powell and his group defeated Old Fort and then won a back-and-forth showdown with Toledo Christian to earn their spot in the Final Four. Jordan Priddy (So), Willie Foster (Jr), and Demarr Foster (Jr) have been contributors all year as LCC is a younger team entering this tournament. Hiland is back at UD Arena for the 3rd straight year after beating Northside Christian and then South Webster in OT. Mark Schlabach has one of the best players in the East District in Sammy Detweiler (Sr), who was a major contributor for the Hawks last season in their Final Four run. Hiland is down 2 starters due to injury, but the coaching and culture has helped them reach the Arena yet again. Richmond Heights vs Russia This might be the most highly anticipated rematch in Division IV tournament history. Richmond Heights returns to Dayton for the 4th straight year, and are the two-time defending champions in Division IV. The Spartans convincingly defeated Seneca East and then Warren John F. Kennedy in the Regional round to earn this spot back. Richmond Heights is loaded with talent, including Dorian Jones (Jr), DeErrick Barber (Jr), Hosea Steele (Sr), and Demarris Winters (Jr). They will be without their top prospect in TJ Crumble (So) as he is out due to transfer rules by the OHSAA. Even without him, Richmond Heights is going to be the heavy favorites to again win a state title. Russia is making their 2nd straight State appearance after defeating Fisher Catholic and Troy Christian to punch their ticket. The Raiders have several guys back that were part of the deep postseason run last season. Hayden Quinter (Sr), Brayden Monnin (Sr), Felix Francis (Sr) and Braylon Cordonnier (Jr) all played minutes in the Semifinals last year and have the length, physicality, and revenge factor to challenge the Spartans. |
Written by: Tony PetersEdited and Published by: Seth Keim Archives
May 2024
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