Let’s take an early look at the teams who will be competing in this year’s boys’ basketball tournament. The sectional draw is 24-days away on Sunday, February 12. In most cases, the post-season begins on Monday, February 20.
Here’s a look at the participating schools in each district:
Division I
at Alliance High School
Fitch (4-6)
Boardman (3-7)
Canfield (5-7)
East (7-4)
GlenOak (4-6)
Green (5-5)
Hoover (5-6)
Howland (7-4)
Lake (10-1)
Louisville (3-8)
Kent Roosevelt (7-2)
Warren Harding (7-2)
Early Synopsis: Could we see a Blue Streak-Raider District Championship? That may be a good prediction; however, this field has Roosevelt in it as well. Howland, East, or Fitch could make a play at the finals.
Vince’s Prediction: Warren Harding
Division II
at Boardman High School
Cardinal Mooney (2-9)
Crestwood (6-5)
Hubbard (3-8)
Lakeview (8-3)
Niles (1-10)
Poland (5-4)
Revenna (5-5)
Salem (5-6)
Southeast (7-4)
Struthers (9-3)
West Branch (6-4)
Early Synopsis: One would say that Struthers appears to be the favorite but don’t forget that Lakeview handed the Wildcats their first loss, 61-58, back on December 6. Poland, West Branch and Southeast are a couple of teams who opposing coaches may not want to see in their bracket in mid-February. Keep an eye on Mooney, too. Despite the 2-9 mark, the Cardinals have dropped a bunch of close games this season.
Vince’s Prediction: Struthers
Division III
at Salem High School
Canton Central Catholic (5-6)
Columbiana (1-11)
Crestview (8-4)
Lisbon (5-5)
East Palestine (6-4)
Akron Manchester (3-7)
Rootstown (5-6)
South Range (8-3)
Springfield (10-1)
St. Thomas Aquinas (2-9)
United (0-11)
Waterloo (0-9)
Early Synopsis: With the departure of Ursuline and Campbell from this district, the road to the district final should be much easier this year than in the past. Springfield versus South Range would be a phenomenal game to decide who would advance to the regionals. Don’t sleep on Crestview, East Palestine or Canton Central Catholic. This district is top-heavy which should make for an interesting district playoff.
Vince’s Prediction: Springfield
at Howland High School
Berkshire (5-5)
Brookfield (9-3)
Campbell (2-9)
Cardinal (5-6)
Champion (3-10)
Garrettsville Garfield (5-7)
Girard (5-6)
Grand Valley (6-3)
LaBrae (14-0)
Liberty (4-6)
Newton Falls (11-2)
Pymatuning Valley (7-4)
Ursuline (7-4)
Early Synopsis: What a lineup of traditional powerhouses! Can you imagine the district tournament, here? We could see a LaBrae-Brookfield match up and an Ursuline-Newton Falls clash. Pymatuning Valley or Liberty could crash the party as well. I haven’t even discussed last year’s district champ, Berkshire. This will be one of the best tournaments in all of the state.
Vince’s Prediction: Ursuline
Division IV
at Struthers Fieldhouse
East Canton (3-7)
Heartland Christian (1-8)
Heritage Christian (4-7)
Jackson-Milton (7-5)
Lake Center Christian (5-7)
Leetonia (4-7)
Lowellville (7-5)
Mogadore (8-3)
Sebring (4-4)
Southern (7-4)
Wellsville (6-5)
Western Reserve (6-5)
Youngstown Christian (7-3)
Early Synopsis: If you look up and down, you will not find McDonald. The Blue Devils were exiled to Warren. So out with the Devils but in comes Mogadore. The Wildcats currently have the best record amongst the thirteen schools who will participate in Struthers. The field is wide open this year with no clear cut winner. Jackson-Milton, Lowellville, Southern, Wellsville, Western Reserve, and Youngstown Christian all have a shot at the regionals. Don’t sell Sebring and Leetonia short. Whoever gets hot towards the end of the season may play into the middle of March.
Vince’s Prediction: Southern
at Warren Harding High School
Badger (2-9)
Bloomfield (1-7)
Bristol (7-4)
Southington (4-6)
Warren JFK (3-7)
Ledgemont (5-6)
Lordstown (3-8)
Maplewood (6-5)
Mathews (8-4)
McDonald (4-5)
Mineral Ridge (4-7)
Windham (7-5)
Early Synopsis: Like the Struthers District, this seems to be a wide open field as well. Windham has won the districts six times since 2004. Bristol and Mathews have surprised many by their play so far this season. Maplewood and McDonald have won many games in late-February and March over the years. Warren JFK plays in the brutal North Coast League which should pay dividends come tournament time.
Vince’s Prediction: Warren JFK
