D1 State Tournament Hypothetical Finish
At this point in the postseason, we can expect some hard-fought, intense matchups between opponents not ready to pack their bags to end the year. Division I in Ohio has been unique in that there are several teams that could…
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Continue ReadingAt this point in the postseason, we can expect some hard-fought, intense matchups between opponents not ready to pack their bags to end the year. Division I in Ohio has been unique in that there are several teams that could challenge Moeller for a state title. However, will anyone be able to overtake the Crusaders? Can St. Edward compete? Who will win each Regional? Take a look below as I provide a hypothetical take on how I expected the Division I State Tournament to finish.
Region 2
Mentor vs. Shaker Heights-
Mentor advanced into this matchup with a 2OT thriller over Medina 86-82. Shaker Heights had a more comfortable advancement beating Canton McKinley 83-71. For Mentor, they have a lot of talent in their backcourt, starting with 6’4 Lake Erie commit Caleb Piks Caleb Piks 6'4" | SG Mentor | 2020 State OH (2020). Along with Piks on the perimeter as a 2-guard is junior Kyle Culler Kyle Culler 6'1" | SG Mentor | 2021 State OH . Between these two and point guard Luke Chicone Luke Chicone 5'9" | PG Mentor | 2021 State OH , Mentor has a backcourt very capable of weathering Shaker Heights athleticism. The Raiders are paced by seniors Dakota Cochran Dakota Cochran 6'2" | SG Shaker Heights | 2020 OH and Shammah Scott Shammah Scott 6'2" | SG Shaker Heights | 2020 State OH as well as sophomore guard Danny Young Jr Danny Young Jr 6'2" | CG Shaker Heights | 2022 State OH Jr. These two faced off twice during the season, with Mentor winning both games 79-70 and 83-79. The last time these two faced off, Shaker Heights had control of most of the game, but Mentor’s 3PT shooting allowed them to finish off Shaker. This time around, with it being the third time and Shaker likely not allowing Mentor to get many shots off, I predict Shaker Heights will win the most important matchup between the teams and will advance to a State Semifinal.
Region 1
Lakewood St. Edward vs. Lima Senior-
This may be arguably the best Regional Final of Division I. The Eagles dominated Lorain 76-55 while Lima held off against Toledo Start 50-48. When you look at St. Ed’s, you see a disciplined, gritty, tough team led by seniors Devontae Blanton Devontae Blanton 6'6" | SF St. Edward | 2020 State OH , Montorie Foster, and Grant Huffman Grant Huffman 6'5" | SG St. Edward | 2020 State #247 Nation OH . Lima always seems to have a very good team and counter with their own senior trio in Jadakis Mack Jadakis Mack 6'3" | SG Lima Senior | 2020 State OH , Jamir Simpson Jamir Simpson 6'5" | PF Lima Senior | 2020 State OH , and Josiah Fulcher Josiah Fulcher 6'2" | SG Lima Senior | 2020 State #342 Nation OH . Both teams are deep with both having quite a bit of talent they can go to beyond just the aforementioned guys above. The difference in this one will be Ed’s having the experience in their senior guys and their more consistent success this postseason. While Lima has a solid group, they have won their last 2 postseason games by a combined 5 points and failed to score 60+ in either games. I think Ed’s composure and focus on defense will be enough for them to outlast Lima and advance back to Columbus yet again.
Region 3
Hilliard Bradley vs. Thomas Worthington/Westerville Central
Bradley secured their bid with a statement victory against Walnut Ridge and Mr. Basketball Von Cameron Davis (2020) 59-32. The Jags are one of the best defensive teams in the state and are led by senior Mall Allocco and juniors AJ Mirgon AJ Mirgon 5'11" | CG Hilliard Bradley | 2021 State OH and Keaton Norris Keaton Norris 5'10" | PG Hilliard Bradley | 2021 State OH . The Jags aren’t guard focused and bring some interior force from Tayshaun Mayfield Tayshaun Mayfield 6'2" | SF Bradley | 2022 OH (2022) as well. In the Regional semifinal yet to happen, I predict Thomas Worthington would advance against an upset minded Westerville Central team that shocked everyone with a spot in the Regionals after beating 3 seeded Columbus South in the Sectionals. This would pit TW against Bradley for the 3rd time this season with Bradley winning both games 49-46 and 53-38. The Cardinals have a trio of juniors that pace them in Jalen Sullinger Jalen Sullinger 5'11" | PG Thomas Worthington | 2021 State OH , Isaac Settles Isaac Settles 6'5" | SG Thomas Worthington | 2021 State OH , and Tyrese Hughey Tyrese Hughey 6'7" | PF Thomas Worthington | 2021 State OH . While all 3 have high scoring capabilities, the issue is outscoring against a Bradley team that focuses on the defensive end and can compete with even the highest scoring offensive units. At the end of the day, although Thomas Worthington is very knowledgeable of the Jags, Bradley will put together one more impressive defensive performance and advance to the State Semifinal in a low scoring close game.
Region 4
Moeller vs. Lakota East
Moeller held off Centerville 54-42 while Lakota East outlasted LaSalle 44-35. In a rematch of last season’s Regional Semifinals, both Cincinnati based teams will now face off with a trip to Columbus on the line. For Moeller, they are used to being here and have a ton of different weapons, including senior leader Max Land Max Land 6'4" | SG Moeller | 2020 State OH (2020), interior threat Logan Duncomb Logan Duncomb 6'9" | C Moeller | 2021 State #74 Nation OH (2021), and two-way players Alex Williams Alex Williams 6'5" | SF Moeller | 2021 State OH (2021) and Will McCracken Will McCracken 6'4" | SG Hilton Head Island | 2021 State SC (2020). East has a nice group of guys themselves in Alex Mangold Alex Mangold 6'7" | PF Lakota East | 2020 State OH (2020), Kaden Fuhrman (2020) and Nate Johnson Nate Johnson 6'3" | PG Lakota East | 2021 State OH (2021). Unlike last season, Lakota East will have Mangold and with that will have a player capable of bodying up with Duncomb in the paint. Moeller however has too much overall talent and will likely use a late game surge to separate themselves in a low scoring matchup sending the Crusaders back to Columbus.
State Semifinals
St. Edward vs Shaker Heights: Shaker won’t be able to match up with this Eagles team that is hungry to win a state title after multiple trips to Columbus during their high school tenure. Eagles advance to the State Title game.
Moeller vs Hilliard Bradley: This is a tough pick because Bradley has shown they can compete with the elite teams, including a victory over St. Edward during the season. However, I’m not sure how well the Jags will do at limiting Duncomb and Land on the glass, as well as if they can score themselves against this lengthy Moeller team. In the end, I think Moeller advances.
State Final
Moeller vs. St. Edward: The two best teams should be facing off for a state championship and that’s what you get in this expected matchup. These two have been the top teams in the state all season and will cultivate in this fantastic game. In the end, St. Ed’s has proved this season their toughness and overall style of play is hard to overpower. While Moeller has the D1 prospects, Ed’s has the most to lose as they were knocked out last season as juniors to Moeller. I think Ed’s is going to play with even more intensity then they usually do and are going to knock off Moeller in an expected State Title game, allowing Huffman, Foster, and Blanton to go out champions.