While Cornerstone is in its third trip to the state semifinals, Kirtland is in its second and Hawken is in its first, they share that experience level with the opponents on the same sides of the bracket.
South Webster (Division VII) makes its third trip to the final four, while Monroe Central (Division VI) and Glenville (Division IV) are making their final four debuts.
The Jeeps made the final four in Division IV under the most recent format twice in 2004 and 2006. They fell in 2004 to eventual state champion Holgate, 31-28. South Webster held the Tigers scoreless in the third but gave up a 13-5 fourth to fall.
South Webster got revenge in 2006, beating Lockland, 61-58, in the semifinals and Columbus Grove, 83-65, to claim the Division IV state title.
This season, the Jeeps are 22-3 and averaging 61.8 points per game. Their three losses have come to Fairland and twice to Minford. Fairland fell in a Division V district final while Minford plays Lutheran East in a D-V state semifinal.
Offensively, South Webster is led by senior Eli Rogers, who averages 21.3 points per game and is also the leading rebounder with 6.4. Fellow senior Dylan Shupert and junior Hunter Barnard are also averaging double figures with 12.8 and 10 points per game respectively.
It’s all orchestrated by senior Christian White, who averages 4.6 assists per game.
While the offense has been strong, the defensive end of the floor has more than held up its end of the bargain for South Webster.
The Jeeps are holding teams to 46.1 points per game, holding nine opponents under 40 and not allowing any team this postseason to reach the average.
Monroe Central is making its first trip to the state semifinals against Kirtland. It’s been a strong season for Monroe Central, including some dominant wins in the postseason.
Monroe Central won its first three before a 53-44 loss to Wheeling Central Catholic. That was followed by a seven-game winning streak, including a revenge win over the Maroon Knights.
Fairbanks then beat Monroe Central, 56-54, before a nine-game winning streak and another loss to Wheeling Central Catholic.
Since that loss, Monroe Central has been rolling, winning all of its postseason games by double digits. It beat a 20-4 Malvern team in a district semifinal, 63-47, and state staple Berlin Hiland, 54-33.
Monroe Central is averaging 67.1 points per game and holding teams to 41 a game. Six times this season it didn’t give up over 30 points.
It is led by Tucker Howell, who is the school’s all-time leading scorer and was also a first-team All-Ohio quarterback in D-VI.
It’s a battle of debuts in D-IV when Hawken and Glenville meet. The Tarblooders advanced to their first regional final since 1995, where they lost to St. Edward, 55-49, in Division I.
After Glenville beat Buchtel, 79-60, stout defense and smart shooting propelled it ahead of Warrensville Heights down the stretch in a 50-40 victory and a first trip to the state round.
The Tarblooders are led by Mayfield transfer Xavier Vickerstaff, who averages 15.7 points and 8.4 rebounds. Arvell Nelson Jr. also averages double-digits with 10 points even.
Three others are averaging over eight points in Theo Castro (9), Trevor McPherson (8.7) and Braylyn Irby (8.3). The Tarblooders are averaging 71.2 points per game with the even distribution and unselfish play.
The defensive end sees strong play across the board, holding teams to 53.7 points. Against Warrensville Heights, the Tigers had just 15 second half points for Glenville to have its comeback win.
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