Northeast Ohio Division III and Division IV regional previews
The field has been cut down and now only the best local teams are still playing. Here is a close look at the Division III and Division IV regional tournaments involving Cleveland/Akron teams.
Division III
CANTON REGION
Best player – Jared Walton, Newton Falls
There are a lot of good players left in this region, especially seniors. Among them, Walton stands out as the region’s most prolific scorer at 27.1 ppg. As Walton goes, Newton Falls goes, so he’ll be the key to his team advancing.
Semifinal predictions
Villa Angela-St. Joseph over Newton Falls
While Walton might be the best player on the floor, the Vikings are the better team right now. Their win over Beachwood showed that this is a team that has rebuilt itself quicker than anyone expected, and they are a few wins from Columbus.
St. Thomas Aquinas over Oberlin
After beating Tuslaw, St. Thomas Aquinas is looking as good as any team in the Division III field right now. Oberlin has been a nice story and is headed in the right direction, but this year it will be awfully tough to know off St. Thomas Aquinas.
Final prediction
St. Thomas Aquinas over Villa Angela-St. Joseph
These two teams split their conference meetings this season and now the rubber match looms. It’s a game that could really go either way, but St. Thomas Aquinas might just be a hair better in all phases of the game. Still, if these teams met 100 times, each team might win 50 games.
Division IV
CANTON REGION
Best player – Mike Bothwell, Cornerstone Christian
The Division IV Lakes district player of the year leads the field for Canton region. Only a sophomore, Bothwell topped the 20-point per game mark this season and the 6-foot-2 guard is showing he might have the talent to play Division I in college. He’s a special talent in Northeast Ohio.
Semifinal predictions
Lutheran East over McDonald
The Falcons are a balanced team with plenty of scoring options. They have senior leadership and played a difficult schedule to prepare them for moments like these. McDonald just doesn’t have enough to hang with Lutheran East
Cornerstone Christian over Malvern
The Patriots have clicked in the last few months and few teams at any level are playing more of a team-oriented style right now. Bothwell gives Cornerstone Christian a go-to player it can rely on, and that could be the difference on Tuesday.
Final prediction
Cornerstone Christian over Lutheran East
After years of knocking on the door of a trip to Columbus, Cornerstone Christian will finally breakthrough this time around. It won’t be easy, though. This is about as balanced a matchup as you can get in a regional final, but the Patriots’ experience and ability to force turnovers will lead them to the win.