Shane’s Division 3 Final Four Previews and Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Division 3 is one of the most stacked divisions in the state and this can be seen with the level of talent and quality of teams in the <a href="https://officials.myohsaa.org/Admin/Bracket/PublicBracket?TournamentId=4152" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Final Four</a>. All of these games should be great and fun to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They start on Sunday, March 16th with Sandusky vs Cincinnati Aiken at 3pm and Garfield Heights vs Louisville tipping off at 6pm. Winners will play on Friday, March 21st at 1pm at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps?q=1801,Edwin,C,Moses,Blvd,Dayton,45417-4666" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UD Arena</a> – Dayton University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sunday 3 pm – Sandusky vs Cincinnati Aiken – <a href="https://www.google.com/maps?q=725,University,Blvd,Beavercreek,45324" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wright State University</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This will be a fun one to watch and I am excited to be at. Can expect a high-scoring fast-paced game with great talent at the guard position. Both teams are highlighted by smart, skilled, and elite scoring point guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sandusky </strong>is 19-7 right now and coming into this game playing their best ball. They have had four wins in a row against some really good teams that they were probably underdogs in. Beating Lexington, Lutheran West, and Lima Shawnee 3 games in a row is a tough stretch and shows that this team is hot right now. They all have not been pretty, but they get the job done. I don't think the Blue Streaks want it to be pretty when you play against them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2806190,"width":"291px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/Jason-Henlon.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/Jason-Henlon.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2806190" style="width:291px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Led by Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1672052' first='Jason' last='Henlon'] he really embodies what this team is. He is a long guard with great IQ and skill. He is a tough player and is always making the right play. He is teamed with fellow senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2803636' first='Amir' last='Aaron'] and he is a dog on the defensive with great defensive anticipation. Fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='2281014' first='Aa'Zoriyon' last='Bonner'] brings length and athleticism on the defense end. Is explosive at the rim along with Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2803642' first='Dale' last='Johnson']. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1672053' first='Kobe' last='Brown'] is the second-best skilled kid on this team and makes shots and gives buckets when they need him too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aiken</strong> is coming into this game beating every team they have played this season after avenging their only loss in the Regional Finals game beating Trotwood-Madison. They are 26-1 and the <a href="https://x.com/MartinRPI/status/1894059471854297215/photo/1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a><a href="https://x.com/MartinRPI/status/1894059471854297215/photo/1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">highest scoring team in the state D3</a> according to Martin RPI along with <a href="https://x.com/MartinRPI/status/1894062230628659541/photo/1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a><a href="https://x.com/MartinRPI/status/1894062230628659541/photo/1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the top 3 in point differential</a> in the regular season. The Falcons are the real deal and Coach Derrell Black, CMAC coach of the year, has this team rolling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They are highlighted by CMAC player of the year senior [player_tooltip player_id='1432009' first='Jaiden' last='Arnold']. This kid can score at a high level and averaging 19+ pts a game. He is insanely skilled and going to be tough for any team to stop. He is paired with [player_tooltip player_id='1675746' first='Tayvon' last='Smith'] who is the glue for this team and plays a big role in holding down the paint. [player_tooltip player_id='1432023' first='James' last='Burnett'] was also named 1st All-CMAC. Then other guard [player_tooltip player_id='1812058' first='Antwan' last='Hinton'] is going to come in the game and defend with an improved offensive impact this year. This team can score it at an elite level and have multiple great guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Cincinnati Aiken gets the job done and will be on their way to Dayton University. The offensive firepower of the Falcons will be too much for Sandusky to keep up with the entire game. Starting off the game strong will be important for winning this game but the Falcons get it done.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sunday 6 pm – Garfield Heights vs Louisville – <a href="https://www.google.com/maps?q=1815,Harrison,Ave,NW,Canton,44708" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Canton Field House</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two teams will have the Field House packed and entertained to end the nightcap on what should be a great day of hoops. These teams have a combined 7 losses on the year and have a ton of talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Garfield Heights </strong>can hurt you in many ways on both ends of the floor. They have a 23-2 record and are top 5 in both <a href="https://x.com/MartinRPI/status/1894062230628659541/photo/1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">point differential</a> and <a href="https://x.com/MartinRPI/status/1894059471854297215/photo/1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">most points</a> D3 in the regular season according to Martin RPI. The Bulldogs are always a talented program and looking to make it down to Dayton and fulfill what Coach Sonny Johnson believes should be theirs – a State Title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team is highlighted by the explosive scoring of Junior Guard and Ohio State Commit [player_tooltip player_id='1705948' first='Marcus' last='Johnson']. This kid can score at a high level from anywhere in the half-court. He is explosive when driving it to the rim and finishes with great touch. He has elite shooting and has been HOT this playoff. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2047484' first='Nasir' last='Hines'] has been having a great senior campaign and will be big in this game for Garfield. Senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='2434202' first='Braylin' last='Sullivan'], [player_tooltip player_id='2042513' first='DeVaughn' last='Jackson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2461886' first='Brima' last='Berry'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2719965' first='Ari' last='Jones'] bring athletic defenders who speed you up and lock you down. This team is talented and is playing great ball right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Louisville </strong>took two trips down to central Ohio to get to play back in Canton for this state semifinal match-up. They are 22-5 with impressive wins this year. They are on a 9-game win streak. They have size and confidence to them when they step on the court. They will show up to play in this game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2799595,"width":"289px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/Brayden-gross-G44.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/Brayden-gross-G44.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2799595" style="width:289px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They are led by two seniors. Point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1540136' first='Beau' last='Siegfried'] and forward [player_tooltip player_id='1540137' first='Brayden' last='Gross']. Ashland commit Siegfried to play with a swag and command for the game. These are great skills to have for a point guard. He has a high IQ and moves the ball well. Walsh commit Gross is a throwback-skilled big man. He is tough to stop from getting to his right hand. He can get to his spot from the block or perimeter. He has a great IQ for the game. Fellow seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2308137' first='Ashton' last='Marshall'], and Tate Aljancic know their roles and are tough players. They score when they need to and bring the toughness you want to the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Garfield Heights and Sonny Johnson are going down to Dayton. I do not know how you stop [player_tooltip player_id='1705948' first='Marcus' last='Johnson'], and I am not going to be picking against him. They have great athletes, and I expect this to be a tough game for Louisville to score in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shane's State Championship Game: </strong><strong><em><u>Garfield Heights vs Cincinnati Aiken</u></em></strong><strong><em></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2327830,"width":"381px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Marcus-Johnson-PBP.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Marcus-Johnson-PBP.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2327830" style="width:381px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is going to be a high-scoring affair and will be one of the most entertaining games of the State championship weekend because of the offensive firepower from both teams. Both fanbases will represent well and could be a classic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shane's Division 3 State Champion: </strong><strong><em><u>Garfield Heights Bulldogs</u></em></strong><em><u></u></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I will not be picking against [player_tooltip player_id='1705948' first='Marcus' last='Johnson']. This kid is a big-time player who is playing great these playoffs, and this will continue the rest of the way. I love the defensive guards this team has, and it will be huge for them going forward. [player_tooltip player_id='2047484' first='Nasir' last='Hines'] will keep the paint on lockdown for them. Coach Sonny Johnson wins his first state title ring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->