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Division II Ohio HS Boys Basketball Regional Predictions: Who wins? Why?

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2015-FBPvw

The Sweet 16…Who wins? And why? We’re here to tell you….

2015 Boys Basketball Regional Pairings & Picks

Division II

Region 5 – Canton Regional

Poland Seminary (23-2) vs. Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary (25-0) at Canton Memorial Civic Center, Thursday, 6:15 p.m.
Cleveland Central Catholic (21-4) vs. Chagrin Falls (22-3) at Canton Memorial Civic Center, Thursday, 8 p.m.
Regional Final: at Canton Memorial Civic Center, Saturday, 1 p.m.

Analysis:
Poland Seminary and Akron SVSM should provide fireworks in more ways than one.  The Irish ended Poland’s 20-game winning streak in last year’s regional final in a game that was airtight with two minutes to play. Needless to say, there won’t be any love lost between these two. Poland’s two defeats have come to Uniontown Lake and Warren Harding, while SVSM has run the table thus far against one of the state’s best schedules. The Bulldogs may be the biggest obstacles to SVSM’s run at a perfect season. Another familiar foe of the Akron-based school, Cleveland Central Catholic, will meet Chagrin Falls in the nightcap. Chagrin Falls, who is a veteran club, is riding a 16-game winning streak. It will need all that experience against a very good Cleveland CC team featuring Antwon Lillard and Tervell Beck.

Prediction:
Regional Semis: Akron SVSM over Poland Seminary and Cleveland CC over Chagrin Falls.
Regional Final: Akron SVSM over Cleveland CC.

Region 7 – Athens Regional

New Concord John Glenn (23-0) vs. Dover (23-2) at Ohio University, Thursday, 6:15 p.m.
Columbus Walnut Ridge (19-5) vs. Chillicothe Unioto (26-0) at Ohio University, Thursday, 8 p.m.
Regional Final: at Ohio University, Saturday, 3 p.m.

Analysis:
John Glenn and Dover are rather familiar with each other. The two met in this exact same game a year ago with the Little Muskies advancing to the regional final. John Glenn comes into the game with an unblemished record, which includes a 23-point win at Dover. The Tornadoes haven’t lost since that night (February 3rd). Walnut Ridge meets undefeated Chillicothe Unioto in the second semifinal, which is also very intriguing. I have questioned Unioto’s resume much of the year, but it’s slowly changing my mind. This would be a huge program win for the Shermans.

Prediction:
Regional Semis: John Glenn over Dover and Walnut Ridge over Unioto
Regional Final: John Glenn over Walnut Ridge

Region 6 – Bowling Green Regional

Parma Heights Holy Name (16-9) vs. Sandusky (23-4) at Bowling Green State University, Thursday, 6:15 p.m.
Defiance (23-2) vs. Celina (22-3) at Bowling Green State University, Thursday, 8 p.m.
Regional Final: at Bowling Green State University, Saturday, 4 p.m.

Analysis:
Holy Name caught fire at just the right time after battling through a difficult conference schedule, which features regional participants VASJ, Cleveland CC, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Warren JFK. The Green Wave used a 36-point performance from senior Lawrynce Johnson in the district semis and 25 points and 12 rebounds from sensational freshman Dwayne Cohill in the district closer to advance to regional play where Holy Name meets Sandusky. The Blue Streaks got revenge for two regular defeats to Ontario by knocking the Warriors out in the district finals. In the other match up, Western Buckeye League rivals Celina and Defiance will meet for the second time this season. Celina took the first encounter, 48-44. Both teams are playing great basketball as Celina has won 17 of its last 18 games and Defiance owns victories in 14 of its past 15 contests. Both teams play great defense, and this game will likely come down to the final handful of possessions.

Prediction:
Regional Semis: Holy Name over Sandusky and Celina over Defiance.
Regional Final: Celina over Holy Name

Region 8 – Kettering Regional

Dayton Dunbar (20-5) vs. Columbus South (19-6) at University of Dayton, Thursday, 6:15 p.m.
Franklin (25-1) vs. Bellefontaine (16-9) at University of Dayton, Thursday, 8 p.m.
Regional Final: at TBA, Saturday, 3 p.m.

Analysis:
All eyes across the state will be glued to this region in hopes of the Franklin Wildcats advancing to the final four. Senior Luke Kennard has a rock star like following, and the legend will only grow if he can will this team to Columbus. The Wildcats aren’t just Kennard and nothing else. Coach Brian Bales does a great job and the supporting cast is more than capable. Franklin’s opponent, Bellefontaine, is a bit of a surprise entrant to the regional tournament. Bellefontaine, who finished 3rd in its half of the Central Buckeye Conference, has been playing very well since the beginning of the New Year. The Chieftains own a tournament win over top-seed Urbana and blew out a pretty good Cincinnati Taft in their last game. The second semifinal features Dayton Dunbar and upstart Columbus South. The Wolverines have struggled down the stretch, but managed to reach the 20-win mark yet again. This isn’t a great Dunbar team, but one that is more than capable with the backcourt of A.J. Harris and Doriane Dawson. After just a (2-4) start, Columbus South ripped off 17 wins in its next 19 games. South doesn’t have any headline names or the pedigree for that matter, but it has toughness and won’t lie down for any team.

Prediction:
Regional Semis: Franklin over Bellefontaine and Dayton Dunbar over Columbus South.
Regional Final: Franklin over Dayton Dunbar

Div. IV State Tournament at Value City Arena, Jerome Schottenstein Center
Region 5 vs. Region 7, Friday, March 27, 10:45 a.m.
Region 6 vs. Region 8, Friday, March 27, 2 p.m.
Division II State Championship: Saturday, March 28, 4:30 p.m.

 


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