TODAY’S GIRLS STATE SEMIFINALS BASKETBALL
At OSU’S Schottenstein Center
Division IV
Ottoville (27-0) vs. Fort Loramie (25-3), 3 p.m.
Notable: The Big “O” was crowned the regular-season poll champ. Here’s why: Ottoville blew through its regional winning by an average of 19 points. Veteran coach Dave Kleman (21 seasons) looks to seniors Abby Siefker (17.0 ppg) and Rachel Beining (11.9). Loramie returns to the final four for the third time in four years after falling to Tri-Village in the 2012 regional final. Ironically, Loramie beat TV in last week’s regional final. It’s the Redskins’ seventh state appearance, but they’re still seeking their first title. Coach Carl Siegel (14 seasons) has built the team around super junior Darian Rose (18.0). Winner to Saturday’s 5:15 p.m. final.
Division I
Fairmont (25-1) vs. Toledo Notre Dame Academy (25-3), 8 p.m.
Notable: A rematch of the 2012 state semi, which Fairmont won 54-45. Coach Tim Cogan (13th season) has guided the Firebirds to their fourth straight final four. After placing runner-up the past two seasons to Twinsburg, Fairmont is looking for an elusive state title. To do that, the Firebirds will look to 6-2 juniors Kathryn Westbeld (15.0) and Makayla Waterman (15.0) and senior guard Chelsea Welch (14.0). ND starts three sophomores, but it’s junior Jayda Worthy (12.1) who leads the Eagles in scoring. Other proven options are sophomores Tierra Floyd (11.2) and Kaayla McINtyre (10.8). Winner to Saturday’s 8 p.m. final.
TODAY’S BOYS REGIONAL FINALS BASKETBALL
Division IV at Fairmont’s Trent Arena
Winner to Friday’s state semifinals at OSU’s Schottenstein Center
Troy Christian (25-2) vs. Delphos St. John’s (20-5), 7:30 p.m.
Notable: TC has won 17 straight games, going 12-0 to win the Metro Buckeye Conference and losing only to Tri-Village and New Bremen in the season opener. Eagles handed Tri-Village its only loss in the regional semi, 48-43. Sophomore guard Grant Zawadzki (16.1 ppg, 5.9 assists) and Christian Salazar (13.2 ppg) are key. Delphos dismantled Jackson Center 62-53 to advance. The Blue Jays tied Versailles for the Midwestern Athletic Conference title and swept the Van Wert sectional and Elida district.
- Compiled by Staff Writer Marc Pendleton
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