Shane’s Division 5 Final Four Previews and Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This a division you looked at before this season started with the new division format and realized this will probably be one of the toughest to win. So you know the <a href="https://officials.myohsaa.org/Admin/Bracket/PublicBracket?TournamentId=4162" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">four teams</a> that are remaining are very good.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These games tip-off on Friday, March 14th, at 8:30 pm between Columbus Academy vs Summit Country Day and then on Saturday, March 15th at 4 pm for Lue East vs Minford. The winners of these games will play 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> at Dayton University on Saturday, March 22nd at 10:45 am.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Friday 8:30 pm – Columbus Academy vs Summit Country Day – <a href="https://www.google.com/maps?q=250,Bill,Edwards,Drive,Springfield,45501" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wittenburg University</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is going to be a great game with two team who have pretty complete teams. One team is trying to keep their undefeated record while the other is trying to stay hot. This should be a great one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2796182,"width":"187px","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/Theo-Falkhein-G40.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/Theo-Falkhein-G40.jpeg?w=945" alt="" class="wp-image-2796182" style="width:187px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Columbus Academy </strong>is coming into this game with a perfect 27-0 record and will look to continue that the rest of the way. They have played really well and beaten some good teams throughout this playoff run by a good margin. They have the size and depth to go far.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team is headlined by Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2426114' first='Jason' last='Singleton'] who is having a breakout year for this squad. He has picked up multiple D1 offers this year. He is a great playmaking point guard for CA but is tough to stop from getting to the rim and scoring. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2082034' first='Theo' last='Falkenhain'] is a baller for this team. He can explode and score on any given night. He is the vocal leader of this team. He is a winner. [player_tooltip player_id='2532398' first='Caden' last='Ivery'] is a long player and athlete who is a lockdown defender. [player_tooltip player_id='2213494' first='Anderson' last='Davis'] is a nice, big, and physical player who provides an impact on both ends of the floor. They have some size of the bench as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Summit Country Day </strong>has a 16-8 record who have a nice blend of classes on the team and can go. They have great length and skills of shot making. They like to get out and run. They a sleeper in this division and playing good ball right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team is highlighted by the freshman Maxwell Joiner. This kid can flat-out play. He is a great slasher who can go coast to coast. He does not look or play like a freshman. This gives them a chance to be right back here next year. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2222935' first='Tim' last='Martin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2453389' first='LJ' last='Stocks'] are good impact players for this squad. They are both scoring threats and impact the defensive end. Martin is a 6'7 wing who is a nice shot maker and with his size is a mismatch. Stocks is a nice athletic slasher who can lock you down. Nice senior leaders [player_tooltip player_id='1936407' first='Cayleb' last='Walters'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2242092' first='Brayden' last='Wolujewicz'] are players who are going to play their tails off and are ready to keep this season going. Walters is a 1,000-point scorer and the leader of this team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Summit Country Day ruins Columbus Academy perfect season and what I think will shock some people. I think they have some great size, athleticism, and defenders to slow Columbus Academy down. This should be a great game and one that comes down to the wire. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Saturday 4 pm – Lue East vs Minford – <a href="https://www.google.com/maps?q=68332,Bannock,Road,St.,Clairsville,43950" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ECO Center</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This should be a great game and I think some think Lue East are now going to walk to Dayton with their win over Richmond Heights last round. Minford has other plans in place and can get it done.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lue East </strong>is coming into this game with a 23-4 record. They are ranked 3rd in <a href="https://x.com/MartinRPI/status/1894059471854297215/photo/2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">most points scored</a> and with the 2nd <a href="https://x.com/MartinRPI/status/1894056183666790492/photo/2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a><a href="https://x.com/MartinRPI/status/1894056183666790492/photo/2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">toughest schedule</a> for D5 this year according to Martin RPI. They coming off a tough fought win against Richmond Heights. They have the championship program. This team is young and can expect to be on of the best teams in the state again next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The paint in most games they play is dominated by [player_tooltip player_id='1705939' first='Tj' last='Crumble']. He is 6'8 and a monster in the paint. He is a competitive player with skill in the paint. Strong and physical player. He is the leader of this team and is going to be tough to stop. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2461889' first='Dylan' last='Zeigler'] is a highly talented guard with quick shiftiness who can put the ball in the rim at a high level. He alongside sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2144496' first='Chris' last='Hill'], [player_tooltip player_id='2306396' first='Devontey' last='Perkins'], [player_tooltip player_id='2434193' first='Dj' last='Jenkins'], [player_tooltip player_id='2677143' first='Muhammad' last='Manigat'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2125763' first='Ty' last='Harrison'] created a young, talented, and tough team. Hill is a great defender and applies great defensive pressure and intensity. Perkins played big against Richmond Heights. His size and slashing ability are really good. Jenkins is a talented guard for them who finishes at the rim well. Mainget is a nice shooter for this squad to be able to stretch the floor. Harrison is a short, quick, playmaking guard. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Minford</strong> is a 25-1 and are going to be coming into this game ready to fight. They have a ton of confidence and know how to win games in a lot of different ways. They are top 5 in both <a href="https://x.com/MartinRPI/status/1894062230628659541/photo/2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">point differential</a> and <a href="https://x.com/MartinRPI/status/1894059471854297215/photo/2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">points scored</a> throughout the regular season D5 according to Martin RPI. The only game they lose was by 2 points. This team wins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They are led by the senior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1888322' first='Bennett' last='Kayser'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1432013' first='Myles' last='Montgomery']. Kayser is a winner. He does the small things to help you win along with making the big plays for his team. He can do it on both ends of the floor. He is a nice scorer and with his size can guard a lot of positions. Montgomery is an ultra-quick point guard who can get to the rim and score or make plays for others. These two know how to play their best in big games and id expect the same here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Lue East will win this game in another great game that is going to take a lot out of them. Minford is going to be a tough game for them but they have the skill and athleticism to get this done. The guard plays defense and depth will be the difference in this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shane's Division 5 State Championship Game: </strong><em><u>Summit Country Day vs Lue East</u></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2692273,"width":"328px","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/2/2024/12/tempImage1Wg1Pi.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/tempImage1Wg1Pi.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2692273" style="width:328px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game will be played at 10:45 am on Saturday to start the day and should be a game that sets a tone for some great basketball at Dayton University. This game will feature a ton of great prospects and the possibility of the first of more to come between these two young and talented teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shane's Division 5 Champions:</strong> <em><u>Lue East Falcons</u></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Falcons get this win and with their guard play and [player_tooltip player_id='1705939' first='Tj' last='Crumble'] in the post is going to be too much for the teams they run into. They are a championship program and they will add more hardware this year and do not be surprised if they repeat next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->