OHSAA State Weekend Preview: Division IV

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The OHSAA season has almost come to a conclusion and it's time to preview the OHSAA State championship weekend, starting with Division IV.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Berlin Hiland Vs Lima Central Catholic</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The opening game of state championship weekend brings a familiar face to UD Arena, Berlin Hiland. Despite losing a projected starter in the preseason to injury and two more starters (Alex Yoder and Connor Beachy) the Hawks, led by [player_tooltip player_id='2138691' first='Sammy' last='Detweiler'] are back in the state tournament. They had another memorable comeback win to get here, this time it was against South Webster in the Convo as the Hawks rallied back from an early 16 point deficit. Thanks to their ability to take care of the basketball and play team defense, the Hawks provide a challenge for undisciplined teams even without the star power they'll have sidelined due to injury. They'll meet a Lima Central Catholic squad that beat an excellent Toledo Christian squad to get to this point. Their head coach Sean Powell is no stranger to UD Arena, he led Botkins to a state title a few seasons ago. Powell is 1-0 against Richmond Heights at UD Arena, a potential state championship opponent. The T-Birds are led by [player_tooltip player_id='1225065' first='DeMarr' last='Foster'], [player_tooltip player_id='2376402' first='Willie' last='Foster'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1888255' first='Jordan' last='Priddy']. They also have a couple physical forwards that will have a strength and size advantage over the wounded Hawks. These teams met in the state tournament back in 1992, Berlin Hiland won 64-62 in that match-up. I would give Lima Central Catholic the edge but Hiland has proven time and time again, when the odds are stacked against them, they find ways to make it interesting at the end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Russia Vs Richmond Heights</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A rematch from last season, Richmond Heights is rocking the same starting five as a year prior after the OHSAA ruled [player_tooltip player_id='1705939' first='Tj' last='Crumble'] ineligible for the second half of the season. That means the 2025 trio of DeErick Barber Jr, [player_tooltip player_id='1432015' first='Dorian' last='Jones'] and DeMarris Winters Jr are unbeaten in playoff games. The Spartans started slow but haven't lost to an OHSAA school since January 7th, when Lutheran East took down the Spartans. Russia played with a ton of confidence last season and kept it close for three quarters until Richmond Heights pulled away. Russia only has one loss this season and have been dominant in the playoffs with each win coming by at least 21 points. [player_tooltip player_id='2385573' first='Benjamin' last='York'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2138693' first='Hayden' last='Quinter'] are some names to watch for the Raiders. Their goal was to make it back to this game and they have a chance at revenge, we'll see if they can pull off what would be the upset of the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">State Championship</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game will be the first of four state championships on Sunday played at UD Arena, tip is set for 10:45 A.M. Richmond Heights comes in as the overwhelming favorite, but Russia will be looking to complete unfinished business from last season. Similar to the Division I semifinals last season, don't think winning the semifinal everybody calls the championship as the title game. You could see Lima Central Catholic play the role of Archbishop Hoban if Richmond Heights or Russia aren't careful.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->