CLEVELAND, Ohio – The girls basketball postseason began on Feb. 13 across Ohio with sectional games as part of district tournaments.
Here is a preview of each Division II district tournament in the cleveland.com coverage area. See the Division I preview and check back for information about Divisions III and IV on Monday at cleveland.com.
Click on each district name for the updated bracket.
ASHTABULA DISTRICT
Teams: 1. Perry, 2. Geneva, 3. Painesville Harvey, 4. Lake Catholic, 5. Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, 6. Glenville, 7. Villa Angela-St. Joseph, 8. Jefferson Area, 9. West Geauga, 10. Edgewood
Takeaways: The district title could go to a member of the Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division, which is full of consistent performers. Perry is having one of its best seasons after capturing the Chagrin Division title and earning its first league title since 2010. The Pirates nearly ended the regular season undefeated but for losses to Eastlake North and district contender Geneva.
In February, Perry and Geneva split their head-to-head series. Harvey is also a legit contender, finishing among the top three teams in the Chagrin Division. VASJ has a challenge to repeat as district champion minus a few key players from a year ago. (Last year’s bracket)
cleveland.com prediction
Perry over Geneva
Geneva and Perry were upset by VASJ a year ago, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that these two teams are motivated this time around. However, it’s disconcerting that Geneva dropped four of its last six games. Perry had success during the season against district opponents. This is why I have the Pirates avenging their playoff loss to VASJ and earning a bid to regionals.
The winner advances to the Barberton regional and faces the Macedonia district champion.
Who will win the Ashtabula district?
AUSTINTOWN DISTRICT
Teams: 1. West Branch, 2. Warren Howland, 3. Poland Seminary, 4. Struthers, 5. Southeast, 6. Lakeview, 7. Niles McKinley, 8. Salem, 9. Crestwood, 10. Ravenna, 11. Girard, 12. Hubbard, 13. Lakeside
Takeaways: Southeast dropped its final game after a winning streak in the final half of the regular season, and should be enthused to start the playoffs after winning the Portage Trail County Division title. Ravenna is slated to face the Pirates in the opening round. Southeast defeated the Ravens, 59-41, on the road in December.
Lakeview, last year’s district champion, could meet the Pirates in the semifinals. However, West Branch and last year’s district finalist Howland are the top two seeded teams. Lakeview defeated Howland, 56-44, in January. (Last year’s bracket)
cleveland.com prediction
West Branch over Lakeview
Losing in the sectional finals a year ago pushed West Branch not only to have a better season, but earn the top seed. The Warriors appear to have momentum. West Branch has lost only two games.
The winner advances to the Barberton regional and faces the Elyria district champion.
Who will win the Austintown district?
ELYRIA DISTRICT
Teams: 1. Elyria Catholic, 2. Padua, 3. Bay, 4. Keystone, 5. Cloverleaf, 6. Holy Name, 7. Buckeye, 8. Brooklyn, 9. Firelands, 10. Brookside, 11. Fairview, 12. Clearview.
Takeaways: Elyria Catholic’s road to successfully defending its district title could come with a challenge from Keystone, Cloverleaf or Holy Name — all on the Panthers’ side of the bracket. One of Elyria Catholic’s most dramatic wins came against Keystone in 51-50 finish.
McKenah Peters led Keystone this season averaging 25.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists.
But Elyria Catholic is a threat with three players scoring in double digits led by Sam Filiaggi (11 ppg, 6 rpg, 3 spg and 3 apg), Nora Hopkins (11 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2 spg, 3 apg) and Faith Williams (10 ppg, 5.5 apg). Megan Scheibelhut (8 ppg) leads the team in rebounding with seven per game.
On the other side of the bracket, Padua and Bay are clear favorites. Bay trailed Elyria Catholic in the race for the conference title and the Bruins won the North Coast League Blue Division title this week. (Last year’s bracket)
cleveland.com prediction
Elyria Catholic over Bay
Looking back at how Bay and Padua have reloaded, I give a slight edge to the Rockets. However, it will be a challenging task to knock off the defending champions. Elyria Catholic won both meetings against Bay by six points or more.
The winner advances to the Barberton regional and faces the Austintown district champion.
Who will win the Elyria district?
MACEDONIA DISTRICT
Teams: 1. Hathaway Brown, 2. Laurel, 3. Revere, 4. St. Vincent-St. Mary, 5. East Tech, 6. Chagrin Falls, 7. Central Catholic, 8. Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, 9. Orange, 10. Woodridge, 11. Beaumont
Takeaways: The Macedonia District has some brilliant teams. Two of the last three district champs won the region and advanced to the state final four. St. Vincent St. Mary and last year’s district champion Hathaway Brown are peaking at the right time. But their road is blocked by some talented and tenacious teams such as Laurel, Revere and East Tech.
Alex Cade finished the season in double figures with 17 points, 14 rebounds for Laurel to go along with five blocks and three steals. Peighton Taylor (9 ppg, 8 rpg) joins Cade along Guliana Marinozzi (7 ppg, 4 apg) and Christina Steele (6 pts, 3 apg, 3 spg). (Last year’s bracket)
cleveland.com prediction
Hathaway Brown over St. Vincent St. Mary
STVM, who won two of its last five games in February, wants to avenge losing a 10-point lead in the district finals to Hathaway Brown last year. However, I’m projecting Hathaway Brown to win a second straight district title. The Blazers have played a bit more consistently in the past month.
The winner advances to the Barberton regional and faces the Ashtabula district champion.
Who will win the Macedonia district?
UNIONTOWN LAKE DISTRICT
Teams: 1. Tallmadge, 2. Norton, 3. Archbishop Hoban, 4. Alliance Marlington, 5. Buchtel, 6. Streetsboro, 7. Field, 8. Canton South, 9. Kenmore, 10. Coventry, 11. Springfield, 12. Alliance, 13. Canal Fulton Northwest
Takeaways: Tallmadge and Norton would have a lot of momentum going into the playoffs after their finishes in the regular season. Jimi Howell (17 ppg, 12 rpg) and Kelsey Hosey (11.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.1 spg) lead Norton in scoring along with Bryana Housley (7.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 5.8 apg, 6.6 spg) being another key contributor.
Archbishop Hoban, the defending district champion, is well-tested after playing a rigorous schedule. (Last year’s bracket)
cleveland.com prediction
Archbishop Hoban over Norton
Norton put together a great ending to its regular season, but I’m not confident they are as prepared as Archbishop Hoban. Hoban should have some inspiration after losing its league title to Padua on Monday.
The winner advances to the Ada/Mansfield regional and faces the Williard district champion.
Who will win the Uniontown Lake district?
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