NEO Division III and IV district previews
Districts tournaments begin this week in Northeast Ohio. Here’s a breakdown of the Division III and IV brackets involving Cleveland/Akron area teams.
DIVISION III
WARREN G. HARDING DISTRICT
Best player – Jarett Smetna, Berkshire
Probably the best 20-point threat in this district is Smetna. The 6-foot-5 senior has good size for the Division III and can do a lot of different things on the floor for Berkshire.
Cinderella team – No. 6 Brookfield
It’s unlikely a real Cinderella will emerge from this district, but Brookfield has played some good basketball in the second half of the season and might be able to keep that going in the postseason.
Best sectional matchup – No. 2 Leavittsburg LaBrae vs. No. 6 Brookfield
LaBrae has been a perennial favorite in this district, but it would be hard-pressed to look past the sectional final round. Of all the matchups, this could prove to be the most interesting.
Semifinal predictions – No. 1 Berkshire vs. No. 3 Newtorn Falls and No. 2 Leavittsburg LaBrae vs. No. 4 Warren Champion
Championship prediction – No. 2 Leavittsburg LaBrae over No. 1 Berkshire
It’s been a magical year for Berkshire, but that might end the district final. LaBrae has the experience of going through this bracket and has a nice balance of the floor. Berkshire, though, will be a tough out no matter where it comes.
GARFIELD HEIGHTS DISTRICT
Best player – Tyrone Gibson, Beachwood
While Beachwood has Rutgers commit Maishe Dailey, it’s Gibson who has been the leading scorer this year and been the team’s most consistent player. He’s a senior leader who gives his team toughness and has the workman like attitude that personifies Beachwood.
Cinderella team – No. 5 Gilmour
There’s a lot to like about Gilmour. The team has a win over CVCA and has held tough against Benedictine, VASJ, and Archbishop Hoban. The Lancers will not be intimidated by any team in the district.
Best sectional matchup – No. 4 Elyria Catholic vs. No. 5 Gilmour
This will be a good one, as it pits high-scoring Elyria Catholic against a scrappy Gilmour squad. The Panthers are one of those teams that shock or disappoint in the postseason, and this will be their first big test.
Semifinal predictions – No. 1 Beachwood vs. No. 5 Gilmour and No. 2 Villa Angela-St. Joseph vs. No. 3 Warrensville Heights
Championship prediction – No. 1 Beachwood over No. 2 Villa Angela-St. Joseph
After getting bounced by VASJ last year, Beachwood will return the favor this time around. The Bisons are playing their best basketball right now and might be the best team in the state for Division III. They will prove it here.
WOOSTER DISTRICT
Best player – Aaron Spidell, Waynedale
Waynedale is the team to beat in the district, and Spidell is a big reason why. He’s a regular 20-point threat and will require a decent amount of defensive attention in each game.
Cinderella team – No. 8 Chippewa
With no clear Cinderella threat in the district, let’s play the percentages here. Chippewa only has to win one game to make the district semifinals. It will be tough, but crazier things have happened.
Best sectional matchup – No. 6 Wellington vs. No. 7 Rittman
This is the closest-seeded matchup of the sectional semifinal round for good reason. While neither team is especially dangerous in the bracket, both are about as evenly-matched as you can get.
Semifinal predictions – No. 1 Waynedale vs. No. 5 Norwayne and No. 2 Oberlin vs. No.3 Northwestern
Championship prediction – No. 1 Waynedale over No. 2 Oberlin
This is Waynedale’s district to lose, and while Oberlin is a greatly-improved team over a year ago, it doesn’t quite have what Waynedale has. Expect Waynedale to advance and be a threat in the next round.
DIVISION IV
BARBERTON DISTRICT
Best player – Donald McCain, Lutheran East
The senior leader of Lutheran East has elevated his play this season and become one of the most dangerous guards in Division IV. Although this is mostly a young team, McCain provides the needed leadership for this Lutheran East group.
Cinderella team – No. 5 Cuyahoga Heights
The road is not excessively difficult to make it out of the sectional round for Cuyahoga Heights. It will likely take a minor upset of No. 4 Hillsdale to pull it off, and that should be doable for this gritty team.
Best sectional matchup – No. 4 Hillsdale vs. No. 5 Cuyahoga Heights
This should be a a pretty straightforward sectional tournament, but as mentioned above, this game could be the lone exception. There isn’t much separating these teams. Look for a defensive battle when they meet.
Semifinal predictions – No. 1 Mogadore vs. No. 3 Dalton and No. 2 Lutheran East vs. No. 5 Cuyahoga Heights
Championship prediction – No. 2 Lutheran East over No. 1 Mogadore
While Mogadore has had a terrific season, Lutheran East is a sleeping giant. Their record doesn’t look great because of a tough schedule, but the Eagles have competed with and nearly beat teams that are much better than Mogadore.
GRAND VALLEY DISTRICT
Best player – Mike Bothwell, Cornerstone Christian
Few players can fill it up in Division IV like Bothwell. The sophomore is the most dangerous player on his team and will likely end his career in a few years as one of the best players in the state. There aren’t many Division IV players with his type of talent.
Cinderella team – No. 5 Warren JFK
Out of the North Coast League, Warren JFK plays a tough schedule that should serve them well in the postseason. It doesn’t hurt that they will also be the higher seed until the district round.
Best sectional matchup – No. 3 Mathews vs. No. 4 Maplewood
It’s a rarity to see two top-4 seeds play before the district round, but that’s what we have in the Grand Valley district. With an eye on avoiding Bristol for as long as possible, these two squads will play an entertaining early game.
Semifinal predictions – No. 1 Bristol vs. No. 5 Warren JFK and No. 2 Cornerstone Christian vs. No. 3 Mathews
Championship prediction – No. 2 Cornerstone Christian over No. 1 Bristol
Cornerstone Christian might have been the top seed in the district were it not for needing to forfeit a handful of wins due to an ineligible player. Instead, they will be the underdog in what has the potential to be a terrific district final, and it’s one that Patriots can win.