D4 Hypothetical State Tournament

Rounding out the hypothetical State Tournament endings is Division IV. This division was quite difficult as there were several undefeated and 1-2 loss teams that are hard to evaluate. While looking at these teams, it was interesting to note how many have underclassmen as their top guys. This means the 2021 State Tournament could look very similar to this years. In this final piece, I answer some very pressing questions. How far will Jackson Center go? Can anybody stop Richmond Heights and [player_tooltip player_id="809590" first="Josiah" last="Harris"]? Do little loss teams like Lucas and Columbus Grove have enough left in the tank to finish a state title? Take a read below in the D4 Hypothetical State Tournament. Region 16 Jackson Center vs. Wellington School   The Tigers from Jackson Center advanced with a huge win over Cincinnati Christian 40-30. Wellington held off a stingy Fort Loramie team 38-35 to advance. Jackson Center is led by [player_tooltip player_id="714519" first="Aidan" last="Reichert"] (2021) and are one of the best defensive teams in the state. Wellington brings offensive firepower from Elijah Meredith (2020) and [player_tooltip player_id="919024" first="Marcus" last="Stewart"] (2020). This game would be a low scoring matchup like the Regional Semifinals with Jackson Center ultimately advancing. The Tigers comfortability in low scoring slow paced games would be far greater than the Jaguars size and athleticism over the Tigers.   Region 15 Grandview Heights vs. Berlin Hiland   Grandview advanced with a 62-32 dominating win over Glouster Trimble. Hiland came back to beat Peebles 45-44 in their game. Grandview has one of the best duos in high school basketball currently in [player_tooltip player_id="800887" first="Brian" last="Collier"] (2020) and Luke Lachey (2020). Hiland is the defending state runner-up and have some juniors they lean on in Hunter Sommers (2021) and Will Schlabach (2021). My biggest question mark in this game would be could Hiland isolate Lachey and keep him from being a difference maker for the Bobcats. I predict the Hawks would, but defending Collier would be what separates this game. Grandview would win with a 2nd half surge.   Region 14 Columbus Grove vs. Parkway   Columbus Grove knocked off previously undefeated Antwerp 55-50 to reach the Regional Finals while Parkway won a low scoring battle with Tiffin Calvert 44-42. The Bulldogs are undefeated and have a trio of juniors that pace them in [player_tooltip player_id="805174" first="Gabe" last="Clement"] (2021), [player_tooltip player_id="805176" first="Blake" last="Reynolds"] (2021), and [player_tooltip player_id="714541" first="Tayt" last="Birnesser"] (2021). They have shown throughout the season they can compete with a variety style of teams. Parkway has a 1-2 punch with Dylan Hughes (2021) and Caleb Kinney (2020) that has helped the Panthers slide under the radar most of the season. The difference in this one is if Parkway can have any support beyond Hughes and Kinney. With the depth the Bulldogs have we expect this to not happen and Columbus Grove will continue with their undefeated season.   Region 13 Richmond Heights vs. Lucas   Richmond Heights took care of business against John F. Kennedy 60-47 while Lucas eliminated McDonald 47-45 in their Semifinal matchup. Lucas is led by a trio of juniors in Riley Gossom (2021), Ethan Wallace (2021), and Ethan Sauder (2021) and have been one of the most resilient teams this postseason, winning two of their three postseason games in OT and their last two by a combined 5 points. The Spartans have been on a tear since January, losing 0 games in 2020. Led by [player_tooltip player_id="809590" first="Josiah" last="Harris"] (2022), [player_tooltip player_id="805186" first="Jamarr" last="Talbert"] (2021), and [player_tooltip player_id="917427" first="Gbolahan" last="Adio"] (2020) the Spartans have depth, athleticism, scoring potential, and defensive pressure. All things Lucas will struggle to compete against with a smaller lineup. Richmond Heights would advance with a double-digit victory.   State Semifinals Jackson Center vs. Grandview Heights   The Tigers would matchup well with their size against Grandview and Lachey. Where they may be concerns would be backcourt play and how Jackson Center would defend [player_tooltip player_id="800887" first="Brian" last="Collier"]. Grandview would likely struggle a bit against the slower paced Tigers, but ultimately would have enough gas in the tank to get them through this tough matchup and advance to the state title game.   Columbus Grove vs. Richmond Heights   This game will be familiar territory for Richmond Heights as they return to the State tournament after getting beat by Convoy Crestview a year ago. The difference this year will be the experience of blowing a lead at the State level and the fact Columbus Grove while very good, doesn’t match-up the same as what Crestview brought to the table a year ago. While the undefeated Bulldogs would put up a fight, Richmond Heights ultimately has the depth and talent to get past Grove.   State Final Grandview Heights vs. Richmond Heights   After falling a year ago in the State Semifinals, Richmond Heights would return to Columbus and take out the hometown Grandview Heights 64-61 to win a state title. The Spartans different weapons and interior threats in [player_tooltip player_id="800868" first="Jevontae" last="Jones"] (2020) and [player_tooltip player_id="800876" first="Anthony" last="Maxie"] (2020) would be the difference in this game as their size would limit Lachey’s abilities to score in bunches and the backcourt depth would be enough to take out Collier and Co.