Winner to Friday’s 7:30 p.m. regional final
Springboro (22-4) vs. Cin. Walnut Hills (25-1), 8 p.m.
Notable: The Panthers of the GWOC South earned their first district title in 10 years with a 57-56 defeat of Moeller, No. 6 in the final D-I state poll. Senior center Maverick Morgan has been everything as advertised, averaging 24.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.0 blocks. When he draws a defensive crowd, he's just as likely to pass off to Ryan Murray (11.5 ppg), Jake Pfahl (11.2) or Sean Kennedy (10.9). Boro is the first area team to make a D-I regional since 2009. Walnut Hills ran away with the Eastern Cincinnati Conference in its debut season. The Broncos lost only to nationally ranked Huntington Prep (W.Va.) 61-54 way back in Game 5. Eliminated Centerville 68-54 in a district final. Hills has its own inside power in 6-9 senior Isaiah Johnson (17.6).
Other game: Colerain (13-13) vs. Cin. La Salle (19-7), 6:15 p.m.
Division III at Fairmont’s Trent Arena
Winner to Saturday’s 7 p.m. regional final
Versailles (20-5) vs. Worthington Christian (17-8), 5:30 p.m.
Notable: The Tigers were lumped in the middle of the MAC pack at 5-4, but have taken off in the postseason. Defeated wild card Stivers 65-54 in a district final. Started the season 8-0. Kyle Ahrens, a 6-5 sophomore (20.0 ppg), joins Franklin's Luke Kennard and A.J. Harris of Dunbar among the state's best in the Class of 2015. Tigers fell to eventual state champ Cin. Summit Country Day in the regional semifinal last year, 61-46. WC has been a Central District power, advancing to the state final four three times since 1999. State runner-up in 2008. Won two tourney games by three points before beating Ready 46-38 in a district final. The nightcap between top-ranked CSCD and No. 7 Roger Bacon could produce the eventual state winner.
Other game: Cin. Summit Country Day (24-1) vs. Cin. Roger Bacon (23-3), 8 p.m.
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