For the first time since the 1974-75 season, two SVC boys basketball teams are headed to the Sweet 16. Zane Trace in Division 2 and Adena in Division 3.
-
ZANE TRACE vs NEW PHILADELPHIA
The (21-4) Pioneers face the (22-4) New Philadelphia Quakers in the 8pm game Wednesday at the Ohio University Convocation Center. This is Zane Trace's first boys basketball Sweet 16 since 1970, where their Hall of Fame team went to the State Semis in Class A. The other semifinal at 6:15pm Wednesday features Sheridan vs Steubenville.
-
Zane Trace Coach Gary Kellough says it appears they might have a slight size advantage with 6'6 junior forward Nick Nesser, who averages 16 points per game along with 6'5 junior post-player Triton Davidson at 8 points per game. Both are also frequent double-double performers. The Quakers will counter inside with 6'5 sophomore Mitchell Stokey and 6'2 senior Brock Chumney.
-
New Philly's other offense centers around 6'0 senior guards Noah Begue, 6'2 senior Nate Voll, 6'0 junior Jent Joseph and 6'0 sophomore Caden Richmond. The scouting report says the Quakers are quick and "a great outside shooting team".
-
The Pioneers have relied heavily on SVC "Player of the Year" Cam Evan's 25 points per game along with Nesser, Davidson and play-making point guard Colby Swain. Luke Johnson has been a big help on the glass, but also has the potential to be a three-point threat along with Chad Ison- coming off the bench.
-
New Philadelphia's four losses have been 48-46 to Zanesville, 35-34 to Dover, 52-48 in overtime to Byesville Meadowbrook and 53-52 to Canton McKinley. That amounts to a combined eight points over four defeats. The Quakers paid-back Zanesville, Dover and Meadowbrook with wins.
-
Zane Trace went unbeaten in the SVC to take the Gold Basketball. That included two second half blow-outs against D-3 regional semifinalist Adena. ZT's four losses all came to strong non-conference opponents such as Hilliard Davidson 74-45, 61-60 to McClain, 50-39 to Johnstown Monroe and 63-46 to Gahanna Lincoln.
-
The winner returns Saturday in the regional final at 3pm.
-
94 Country WKKJ will have airtime Wednesday at 7:45pm. The game can also be heard on our free iHeart Radio app.
-
-
ADENA vs WORLD HARVEST PREP
On Thursday in the Division 3 regional semis at OU, the (19-6) Adena Warriors make their first regional boys basketball appearance since 1980 with a big test against the #2 state ranked (24-2) World Harvest Prep Warriors at 8pm.
-
In fact, the D-3 regionals feature two top-five ranked teams, with the #3 and (25-0) Wheelersburg Pirates battling Sandy Valley at 6:15pm.
-
Harvest Prep has been nothing short of awesome for most of the season. Despite a close 71-67 district title bout against Columbus Academy, the Harvest Prep Warriors hammered Amanda Clearcreek 74-32 in the district semis.
-
Prep's two losses came to Marquette Catholic out of Michigan City, Indiana by a score of 57-56 as well as a 73-67 set-back to Kettering Fairmont. Big regular season wins included a win over traditional power-house Columbus Northland.
-
Throughout the season, Harvest Head Coach David Dennis has counted heavily on eight players:
6'2 senior #0 Raymond Robertson
6'0 junior #2 C.J. Anthony
6'1 senior #3 Bryce Beavers
6'4 senior #4 Soul Hines
6'5 senior #11 Andrew Tate
5'8 senior #23 Avonti Duncan
6'2 senior #24 Brandon Beavers
6'5 senior #35 Elijah Glenn
-
Hines has been their leading scorer in most games with Glenn providing great strength on offense and defense inside.
-
The Warriors, led by Coach Kyle Bradley, have used a combination of inside and outside play to provide most of their offense, with leading scorer 6'3 senior Zach Fout being a perimeter threat as well as using athleticism to slash to the bucket inside. He has averaged 16 points per game through the season, but has had double-doubles in the post-season.
-
6'4 Logan sophomore Logan Bennett and 6'0 sophomore Preston Sykes also provide and inside/outside threat. Bennett has a season-high of 30 points against Hillsboro, and has regained his offense and rebounding confidence in their tourney run. 6'4 senior Caleb Fogelsong also provides muscle on the glass with a periodic threat to hurt teams from outside the arc- if left unattended.
-
Senior guard Nate Throckmorton has been the "next man up" star after 6'4 point guard Jarrett Garrison went down with a leg injury, missing about one month of play. Garrison did return for the Warriors district title game to play a key role when Throckmorton got into foul trouble. If his leg continues to heal and he regains his timing, he will be a major factor in the Adena offense.
-
Jacob Shipley provides a three-point threat off the bench, which could also be big for Adena if they are to contend with Harvest Prep.
-
Signature wins for Adena this season have been a sweep over rival Unioto, a road win at Logan Elm, then victories over Portsmouth West, Hillsboro, Portsmouth, Ironton and Chesapeake.
-
94 Country WKKJ airtime will be 7:45pm Thursday, and as is with all games, you can hear it worldwide on the free iHeart Radio app.