by John Fanta ’13
Saint Ignatius-Shaker Heights Solon District Final Set for Saturday
On Thursday night, the 3rd-seeded Shaker Heights Red Raiders went up against a team that was coming off of one upset win, the 5th-seeded Bedford Bearcats. The Bearcats, who had knocked off 2nd-seeded Garfield Heights last week, came into Solon High School with momentum. The Red Raiders’ athleticism would rule the way early, as Shaker’s Rosel Hurley (19 points) and Kash Blackwell (14 points) led the way to a 69-53 win over Bedford.
Defensively, Shaker Heights forced Bedford out on the perimeter early, as they led by a many as twelve points in the first half of play. The Red Raiders’ lead was cut down to 39-37 with a minute and a half to go in the third quarter, but Shaker would pull away.
Sean O’Toole’s Wildcats and Danny Young’s Red Raiders will square off in the district championship game on Saturday at 2:30 pm. The Wildcats are led by seniors Derek Sloan and Francisco Santiago, who combined for 41 points on Wednesday night against Cleveland Heights in the 71-61 triumph. It’s the extra contributors that have been a major asset for Saint Ignatius. Guards Kyle Berger and Austin Sterpka, big men Eric and David Black, and court generals Bryan Fisher and Danny Bova have all been key factors throughout the Wildcats’ 21-3 season. It’s two athletically powerful teams that both have had phenomenal seasons. It’s too bad only one can move on, but that’s how the crazy Solon District’s ship sails.
The tip-off is at 2:30 pm on Saturday with the live broadcast beginning at 2:15 pm as I’ll be on the air.
DIVISION I BRACKET CAPSULES
Cleveland Region
Brecksville District- #1-Seed St. Edward vs. #2-Seed North Royalton in the District Final on Saturday, March 9, at 7 pm.
Euclid District- #1-Seed Mentor vs. #5-Seed Cleveland East Tech in the District Final on Saturday, March 9, at 7 pm.
Alliance District- #1-Seed Uniontown Lake vs. #3-Seed North Canton Hoover in the District Final on Saturday, March 9, at 7:30 pm.
Solon District- #1-Seed Saint Ignatius vs. #3-Seed Shaker Heights in the District Final on Saturday, March 9, at 2:30 pm.
Akron/Toledo Region
Copley District- #1-Seed Macedonia Nordonia vs. #3-Seed Hudson in the District Final on Saturday, March 9, at 7 pm.
Grafton District- #1-Seed Brecksville-Broadview Heights vs. #3-Seed Westlake in the District Final on Saturday, March 9, at 7:30 pm.
Bowling Green District- #1 Whitehouse Anthony Wayne vs. #2-Seed Mansfield Senior in the District Final on Saturday, March 9, at 8 pm.
Toledo District- #2-Seed Toledo Central Catholic vs. #4-Seed Toledo Rogers in the District Final on Saturday, March 9, at 7 pm.
Columbus Region
Columbus 1 District- #10-Seed Pickerington Central vs. #18-Seed Lewis Ctr. Olentangy Orange in the District Final on Saturday, March 9, at 12 pm.
Columbus 2 District- #9-Seed Gahanna Lincoln vs. #13-Seed Newark in the District Final on Saturday, March 9, at 6 pm.
Canton District- #4-Seed Canton Timken vs. #3-Seed Barberton in the District Final on Saturday, March 9, at 7:30 pm.
Columbus 3 District- #1-Seed Columbus Northland vs. #3-Seed Powell Olentangy Liberty in the District Final on Saturday, March 9, at 3 pm.
Cincinnati Region
Dayton 1 District- #1-Seed Walnut Hills vs. #9-Seed Centerville in the District Final on Saturday, March 9, at 1 pm.
Dayton 2 District- #1-Seed Huber Heights Wayne vs. #8-Seed La Salle in the District Final on Saturday, March 9, at 3 pm.
Dayton 3 District- #22-Seed Colerain vs. #3-Seed Withrow in the District Final on Saturday, March 9, at 7pm.
Dayton 4 District- #2-Seed Archbishop Moeller vs. #2-Seed Springboro in the District Final on Saturday, March 9, at 9 pm.
Sixteen district championship games make up a full Saturday of high school basketball. From the kids to the coaches to the fans, the atmospheres will be jammed with excitement, as only sixteen teams can advance to the Regional Round. The tournament is intensifying, and it’s only just getting revved up!
Don’t miss this added bit of insight from John Fanta:
