OHSAA Division I Playoff Preview: Region 1 (NW + NE)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're previewing the OHSAA playoffs in each region and this is our last region to preview. This is a split region with two districts from the northeast region and two districts from the northwest region that meet up for a regional final that splits between being hosted in Toledo and Northeast Ohio.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The favorite</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Garfield Heights: One of the most impressive teams in Ohio all season, [player_tooltip player_id='1705948' first='Marcus' last='Johnson'] has had some huge moments in the clutch as just a Sophomore. DeAndre Jones is looking like a steal for Kent State and the senior guard duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1222346' first='Calvin' last='Little'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1222357' first='Carter' last='Jackson'] have been excellent defensively. The Bulldogs have been to the final four but coach Sonny Johnson is still looking for a state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Contenders</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brecksville-Broadview Heights: [player_tooltip player_id='1148120' first='Luke' last='Skaljac'] and company have stumbled a little down the stretch with two straight losses after starting 17-1. I still expect the Bees to be a tough out in the playoffs with elite guard play by Skaljac and [player_tooltip player_id='1432057' first='Brady' last='Ganley']. They have a favorable draw to make it to a district title game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Findlay: They've taken down Whitmer twice and have a disciplined team that plays a unique style that makes them a tough match-up for teams that want to get up and down. Their senior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1840991' first='Will' last='Cordonnier'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2347413' first='Javonte' last='Hill'] give them enough talent to play spoiler in this region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Toledo Whitmer: The only team to beat Whitmer this season is Findlay, who got them twice this season. Luckily, they avoid Findlay until the regional semifinals, if they have to face them at all. With Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1432018' first='Antione' last='West Jr'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1432039' first='Makhi' last='Leach'] leading the way, Whitmer has enough talent to find their way to Dayton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sleepers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Archbishop Hoban: The defending state champs won't be sneaking up on anybody these playoffs with [player_tooltip player_id='1222351' first='Jonas' last='Nichols'] back leading the charge. Getting [player_tooltip player_id='1506017' first='Kenny' last='Scott'] back from injury and [player_tooltip player_id='1773220' first='Sam' last='Greer'] into basketball shape has helped turn around their season and the Knights could shake up a district with Strongsville and Brecksville who are higher seeded than they are.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Toledo St John's: Another team that made the final four, they actually met Hoban in the final four last season. A team that played a tough schedule with [player_tooltip player_id='1679929' first='Jaylen' last='Murphy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1827695' first='Race' last='Kowalczyk'] leading the way, St John's could have another deep playoff run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Akron STVM: I never want to play Dru Joyce II in the playoffs and this team has more than enough to pull up an upset or two. I really like their Sophomore wing duo of [player_tooltip player_id='2288383' first='Rayshawn' last='Hamilton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2288382' first='DeCarlo' last='Prince'], they've gotten better as the year went on. The Irish are also led by guard Noah Chambers who will play his prior school Shaker Heights in the first round. I wouldn't be surprised if you see the Irish in a district title game this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->