The pundits wouldn’t have predicted the fact that the state boys basketball tournament would be played in Columbus this week without Columbus Northland, one of the nation’s most highly-rated teams.
But, that will be exactly the case at Ohio State University’s Value City Arena this week after Northland was upset by Gahanna Lincoln 71-45 in the Division I regional final this past weekend.
Northland (23-1), which has Ohio State signees Jared Sullinger and J.D. Weatherspoon, was a heavy favorite to make it to the state final four. Northland is rated No. 2 nationally in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25.
"It just wasn’t in the cards (Saturday)," Northland coach Satch Sullinger told the Columbus Dispatch. "This wasn’t the team I coached all year, but a lot has to do with Gahanna. I just don’t know. All it takes is one hiccup. We lost to a quality team that just shot the lights out. That’s nothing to be ashamed about."
Gahanna (26-0) was led by Steve Taylor and Rob Brandenberg with 19 points each. Gahanna shot 61 percent from the field.
"The game plan was we weren’t going to shoot anything that wasn’t wide open because the odds were we probably wouldn’t get the offensive rebound," Gahanna coach Tony Staib told the Dispatch.
Gahanna Lincoln advanced to play Massillon Jackson (23-2) in the Division I state semifinals at 8:30 p.m. Friday at Ohio State’s Value City Arena. The winner plays Archbishop Moeller (21-4) or Mentor (23-3) in the state final on Saturday night.
Moeller defeated league rival La Salle 48-41 in overtime on Friday night in the regional final. Moeller is making its fifth trip to the state final four since 1999, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Senior forward Griffin McKenzie (Xavier signee) and junior guard Alex Barlow each had 13 points on Friday. Barlow scored nine points in overtime for Moeller. "He is the glue to our team," Moeller coach Carl Kremer told the publication.
2. Harvest Prep wins state: Harvest Prep (Canal Winchester) defeated Hiland (Berlin) 45-41 to win the Division IV state girls basketball title in Columbus on Saturday afternoon. Harvest Prep (27-1) was led by Shicole Watts, who had 14 points, 10 rebounds, four steals and two assists. It is the first state girls basketball title for Harvest Prep, according to the Ohio High School Athletic Association.
3. Alter, Madison are runners-up: Two Southwest Ohio powers – Archbishop Alter (Kettering) and Madison (Middletown) – finished as state runners-up in their respective division of the girls basketball tournament in Columbus this past weekend. Alter lost to Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown 48-35 in the Division II state final. Alter finished the season at 24-3. Madison lost to Findlay Liberty-Benton 66-44 in the Division III state final. Brittany Shields had 13 points and Ally Malott had 10 points for Madison, which finished the season at 26-1.
4. Centerville junior linebacker Mike Replogle has orally committed to play football at Indiana, according to the Centerville athletic department. Replogle is among the first football players from Ohio's 2011 class to orally commit to a college program. The Centerville City Schools Web site said Replogle (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) is continuing a family tradition. The Web site said Replogle’s brothers – senior linebacker Tyler Replogle and sophomore defensive tackle Adam Replogle – play for the Hoosiers.
Mike had a half-sack, two fumble recoveries, an interception and a forced fumble for Centerville last season. Indiana was his first scholarship offer. Centerville, a Division I program, had an 8-3 record and was Greater Western Ohio Conference Central division co-champions in 2009.
5. Coyne has 10 offers: Hamilton Badin junior quarterback Patrick Coyne was offered by the University of Cincinnati last week. Coyne, who is 6-2 and 215 pounds, also has offers from Bowling Green, West Virginia, Boston College, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Buffalo, Toledo, Illinois and Ohio University.
Among the outstanding efforts this week
Cassie Sant, Kettering Fairmont girls basketball: The senior center had a game-high 25 points in a Division I state semifinal, according to the Dayton Daily News. Fairmont lost to Toledo Waite 61-55.
Deontae Hawkins, Dayton Dunbar boys basketball: The sophomore had 16 points for Dunbar, which defeated Marshall 44-40 in a Division II regional final.
Adolphus Washington, Taft boys basketball: The sophomore center had a team-high 16 points in a 66-57 loss to Columbus Bishop Ready in a Division III regional final.
Looking ahead
Lacrosse season begins today: Boys and girls lacrosse teams are allowed to begin their regular season today across the state of Ohio. St. Xavier and Indian Hill are among the early favorites in boys lacrosse in the Cincinnati area. Sycamore and Anderson won girls’ state team titles last season.
Columbus Bishop Ready vs. Orrville, boys basketball: The two teams play in a Division III state semifinal in Columbus at 2 p.m. Thursday. Orrville is 20-5, while Ready is 19-6.
Cleveland Benedictine vs. Dayton Dunbar, boys basketball: The first of the Division II state semifinals on Thursday will be played at 5:15 p.m. Benedictine is 22-4, while Dunbar is 23-3.
Dayton Jefferson vs. St. Peter Chanel, boys basketball: The two teams play in a Division IV state semifinal at 2 p.m. Friday in Columbus. Chanel is 14-11, while Jefferson is 15-10.
Recruiting news
Mount Healthy junior defensive lineman Joel Heath (6-5, 240) was recently offered by North Carolina State. He also has offers from Ball State, Kent State, Ohio, Toledo and Bowling Green. … Walnut Hills junior tight end Benson Browne (6-6, 236) was offered by Minnesota on March 15; it is his first scholarship offer. … Oak Hills junior linebacker Ben Russell (6-2, 215) added a scholarship offer from Akron. Russell also has an offer from Ball State.
Random thoughts
Two Greater Miami Conference football powers meet this fall in a regionally televised game when Middletown will play at West Chester Lakota West on Thursday, Sept. 16 at 7:05 p.m. … Colerain High School is inviting all alumni who played baseball from 1940-1959 to attend the Cardinals’ opening game vs. Lakota West at 4:30 p.m. March 29, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. …Three Huber Heights Wayne football players, linebacker Josh Harrison, defensive back Terrence Talbott and lineman Terry Talbott, have been selected to the North-South Classic game at Ohio Stadium on April 23 in Columbus, according to the Dayton Daily News.
