In D-IV, Richmond Heights (23-1) vs. Windham (14-9) the Spartans edged VASJ 67-64 in overtime. Senior Ishaam Smith led with 16 points.

By BRYANT K. KIZER

Contributing Writer

The Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University will be rocking this week. Four teams are vying to make it to the Division I state title game.

Shaker Heights (21-2) the Red Raiders got a career-high of 37 points from senior guard and Louisville recruit Terry Rozier as they beat Garfield Heights 78-66 to win the Solon District, last Saturday. Rozier was just phenomenal as he just took over the game. Sophomore Rosel Hurley had is best game in a Red Raider’s uniform. He had 12 points and senior guard Jeland Head had 10 points. The Red Raiders will have a re-match with St. Edward.

St. Edward (16-7, was the top-seed in the Broadview Heights District and they did not disappoint. They pounded second-seed Midview 72-47. Senior guard Myles Hamilton, who did not play in the Shaker Heights’ game because of a four-game suspension, had the game-high of 18 points.

Warren G. Harding (20-3) started the season of shaky but they were confident in their return to CSU. The Raiders, the top-seed in the Alliance District, edged Green Bulldogs 71-69 in overtime, last Saturday. Jessie Hardin had 20 points to lead Warren G. Harding.

Mentor (22-2) the Cardinals, the top-seed in the Euclid District, had to sweat it out too. They outscored second-seed Brush Arcs 24-9 in the fourth-quarter and won 76-72. Senior Justin Fritts had 24 points. Senior guard Danny Wallack added 20 points.

Today’s games at CSU

Warren G. Harding (20-3) vs. Mentor (22-2) – 6:15 p.m.

Both teams are no strangers. Mentor was in the Lake Erie League last season. The Raiders have won 13 straight, their last lost was to hosting Shaker Heights 61-58 on Jan. 20.  Under head coach Steve Arnold, the Raiders are 119-23 in the last six seasons.  However, the Cardinals have won three straight contests against the Raiders.

Shaker Heights (21-2) vs. St. Edward (16-7) – 8 p.m.

The Red Raiders beat visiting St. Edward 56-51 on Feb. 21. However, senior guard Myles Hamilton did not play due to a four-game suspension. Senior guard and Louisville recruit Terry Rozier had a career-high of 37 points against Garfield Heights.

Other local game

In D-II, Benedictine (15-8) will face Elida (21-3), Thursday at Toledo. The Bengals trounced Rocky River 57-24. Winston Grays and Desmond Ridenour each had 14 points. Senior Mike Roberts chipped in 10 points.

Akron East (23-1) vs. St. Vincent – St. Mary (15-9), Thursday at Canton Memorial CC.  This is a city-rival game. The Akron East Dragons is having their best season ever. With the back-court duo of seniors Davonte Brunson and Mycle Shadie, they have won 18 straight. The Irish, LeBron James’ high school team, have won four in a row.

In D-III, St. Peter Chanel (21-3) takes on Springfield (21-2), today at 6:15 – The Firebirds are four games away from the D-III state title. The Firebirds advanced by beating Beachwood in a 69-67 double-overtime thriller.

By BRYANT K. KIZER

Contributing Reporter

The Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University will be rocking this week. Four teams are vying to make it to the Division I state title game.

Shaker Heights (21-2) the Red Raiders got a career-high of 37 points from senior guard and Louisville recruit Terry Rozier as they beat Garfield Heights 78-66 to win the Solon District, last Saturday. Rozier was just phenomenal as he just took over the game. Sophomore Rosel Hurley had is best game in a Red Raider’s uniform. He had 12 points and senior guard Jeland Head had 10 points. The Red Raiders will have a re-match with St. Edward.

St. Edward (16-7, was the top-seed in the Broadview Heights District and they did not disappoint. They pounded second-seed Midview 72-47. Senior guard Myles Hamilton, who did not play in the Shaker Heights’ game because of a four-game suspension, had the game-high of 18 points.

Warren G. Harding (20-3) started the season of shaky but they were confident in their return to CSU. The Raiders, the top-seed in the Alliance District, edged Green Bulldogs 71-69 in overtime, last Saturday. Jessie Hardin had 20 points to lead Warren G. Harding.

Mentor (22-2) the Cardinals, the top-seed in the Euclid District, had to sweat it out too. They outscored second-seed Brush Arcs 24-9 in the fourth-quarter and won 76-72. Senior Justin Fritts had 24 points. Senior guard Danny Wallack added 20 points.

Today’s games at CSU

Warren G. Harding (20-3) vs. Mentor (22-2) – 6:15 p.m.

Both teams are no strangers. Mentor was in the Lake Erie League last season. The Raiders have won 13 straight, their last lost was to hosting Shaker Heights 61-58 on Jan. 20.  Under head coach Steve Arnold, the Raiders are 119-23 in the last six seasons.  However, the Cardinals have won three straight contests against the Raiders.

Shaker Heights (21-2) vs. St. Edward (16-7) – 8 p.m.

The Red Raiders beat visiting St. Edward 56-51 on Feb. 21. However, senior guard Myles Hamilton did not play due to a four-game suspension. Senior guard and Louisville recruit Terry Rozier had a career-high of 37 points against Garfield Heights.

Other local game

In D-II, Benedictine (15-8) will face Elida (21-3), Thursday at Toledo. The Bengals trounced Rocky River 57-24. Winston Grays and Desmond Ridenour each had 14 points. Senior Mike Roberts chipped in 10 points.

Akron East (23-1) vs. St. Vincent – St. Mary (15-9), Thursday at Canton Memorial CC.  This is a city-rival game. The Akron East Dragons is having their best season ever. With the back-court duo of seniors Davonte Brunson and Mycle Shadie, they have won 18 straight. The Irish, LeBron James’ high school team, have won four in a row.

In D-III, St. Peter Chanel (21-3) takes on Springfield (21-2), today at 6:15 – The Firebirds are four games away from the D-III state title. The Firebirds advanced by beating Beachwood in a 69-67 double-overtime thriller.

In D-IV, Richmond Heights (23-1) vs. Windham (14-9) the Spartans edged VASJ 67-64 in overtime. Senior Ishaam Smith led with 16 points.

In the girls…

Twinsburg, Hathaway Brown trying to repeat in Columbus.

Just two more games to go and Twinsburg and Hathaway Brown could repeat as state champions.

Twinsburg, in D-I, will take on unbeaten Reynoldsburg (25-0) on Friday. The Lady Tigers eliminated Northeastern Ohio Conference foe Solon 54-37. The Lady Tigers are the defending D-I champs.

Hathaway Brown (19-5), defeated Lake Catholic 52-37 and they will take on Bellbrook (21-4), this Friday. Hathaway Brown has won the D-II title for the last three years.

In the girls…

Twinsburg, Hathaway Brown trying to repeat in Columbus.

Just two more games to go and Twinsburg and Hathaway Brown could repeat as state champions.

Twinsburg, in D-I, will take on unbeaten Reynoldsburg (25-0) on Friday. The Lady Tigers eliminated Northeastern Ohio Conference foe Solon 54-37. The Lady Tigers are the defending D-I champs.

Hathaway Brown (19-5), defeated Lake Catholic 52-37 and they will take on Bellbrook (21-4), this Friday. Hathaway Brown has won the D-II title for the last three years.