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.
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Written by: Tony PetersEdited and Published by: Seth Keim Archives
May 2024
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