Columbus, OH -- The 97th OHSAA Boys Basketball State Tournament tips off Thursday, lifting the lid on an exciting weekend of action for Spectrum video subscribers.

The first six semifinals, with four games on Thursday, and two more Friday afternoon can be found here (Spectrum log-in required). The Division I semifinals Friday evening will be presented live on Spectrum News 1, as will all four state championships on Saturday.

The schedule of games is as follows:

Thursday, March 21

  • 12pm – Division III Semifinal: Canal Winchester Harvest Prep vs. Cincinnati Purcell Marian
  • 2pm – Division III Semifinal: Oregon Cardinal Stritch vs. Cleveland Heights Lutheran East
  • 6pm – Division II Semifinal: Columbus South vs. Thornville Sheridan
  • 8pm – Division II Semifinal: Trotwood vs. Akron Buchtel

Friday, March 22

  • 12pm – Division IV Semifinal: St. Henry vs. Berlin Hiland
  • 2pm – Division IV Semifinal: Convoy Crestview vs. Richmond Heights
  • 6pm – Division I Semifinal: Cincinnati Moeller vs. Lakewood St. Edward (live on Spectrum News 1)
  • 8pm – Division I Semifinal: Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary vs. Olentangy Liberty (live on Spectrum News 1) 

Saturday, March 23

  • 10:45am – Division III Championship (coverage begins at 10:30am) (live on Spectrum News 1)
  • 2pm – Division II Championship (coverage begins at 1:45pm) (live on Spectrum News 1)
  • 5:15pm – Division IV Championship (coverage begins at 5pm) (live on Spectrum News 1)
  • 8:30pm – Division I Championship (coverage begins at 8:15pm) (live on Spectrum News 1)

In Division III, Harvest Prep has made the short trip to the state tournament in Columbus five times in the past nine seasons, but is still seeking its first championship. Behind Division III player of the year, Christopher Anthony, and his 25 PPG, the Warriors are hoping to change that.

In the other semifinal, Cardinal Stritch is making the first State Tournament appearance in school history. From Oregon, outside Toledo, the Cardinals are coached by former Ohio State video coordinator Jamie Kachmarik, who was on the Buckeyes’ 1999 NCAA Final Four staff.

Lutheran East rounds out Division III, and has plenty of state experience. It’s the “Lue’s” third straight Final Four, winning it all back in 2017. Former Falcon Sam Liggins in his first year as head coach, taking over for Anthony Jones, who is focusing on his role as athletic director. Sophomore E.J. Farmer is one of the top players in Ohio for the class of 2021, and Lutheran East’s typical rugged regular season schedule has set it up well for this weekend. The Falcons start all underclassmen, and have just one senior on the roster.

Bumping up to Division II, where the first semifinal features two schools that plan to enjoy every moment of this trip. Columbus South won a Class AA championship back in 1965, and hasn’t reached this stage since 1986. Head coach Ramon Spears has engineered quite the turnaround of the Bulldogs program, which won just once in his first season (2010-11). Consecutive City League titles, and three district crowns in five years top South’s resume.

Meanwhile, on the heels of the girls program reaching the Final Four, Sheridan’s boys' team also punched a ticket to Columbus, its first ever state appearance. It’s been a remarkable season of success for the Perry County program, with the football team reaching the regional finals in November. Head Coach Doug Fisher (Class of 1985) also commanded the Generals’ girls program, making a Final Four appearance in 2004.

Fans watching at the Schottenstein Center—as well as at home—better “carb load” and hydrate for the second Division II semi. Trotwood makes its third straight trip to Columbus, facing an Akron school all three years. In 2017, the Rams dropped a heart breaker at the buzzer to St. Vincent-St. Mary in the semifinal. Last year, the same two met for the title, with the Fighting Irish prevailing again. Wisconsin-Green Bay signee Amari Davis is averaging over 30 points a contest, while Trotwood goes for 100 points per game. The Rams have topped triple digits 13 times, going north of 130 points an amazing three times.

Akron Buchtel is 22 years removed from its last state tournament. The Griffins are led by electric freshman, Chris Livingston. Compared to another middle school Akron basketball prodigy (LeBron James), Livingston was offered a scholarship by Ohio State as a 14-year old. Senior Jonathan King provides steady leadership for a team that has won 12 of its previous 13 games.

Friday’s afternoon session ushers in Division IV. St. Henry, from the mighty Midwest Athletic Conference, is looking for its fifth state title. Ironically it’s been future Buckeye football players Bobby Hoying and Jim Lachey that’s helped the basketball Redskins win. Ball State bound offensive lineman Caden Niekamp, brings that same size and gridiron experience in 2019.

Berlin Hiland—another program that send both boys and girls to the state tournament—hopes to celebrate a fourth state title. Head Coach Mark Schlabach is the younger brother of girls’ head coach Dave Schlabach. Together, they have over 1,000 victories and six state championships. The Hawks soar into Columbus on the wings of a 20-game winning streak.

In the other semi, Crestview High School has gone 24 consecutive games without defeat. Legendary Hall of Fame coach, Ray Etlzer put this program on the name. The Knights gym is named after him. You can imagine how special the school’s fourth Final Four appearance is, as the team are led by his grandsons. Javin Etzler was first-team All-Ohio, and is headed to Miami University next year. Sophomore Kalen is also generating tons of interest from major college programs.

Richmond Heights earned its first ever trip to the state tournament. Head coach Quentin Rogers—a Columbus native—is no stranger to championships, leading the All-Ohio Red AAU program for 8 years, featuring the likes of Jared Sullinger, Aaron Craft, Adreian Payne, Jordan Sibert, Jon Diebler and Nigel Hayes, just to name a few.

The first Division I semifinal (live on Spectrum News 1) is a highly anticipated tilt between defending champion Moeller, and perennial power St. Edward. The Crusaders have won a remarkable 47 straight games, and haven’t lost to a school from Ohio since falling in the 2017 Division I championship game to Massillon Jackson and current Buckeye Kyle Jackson. Moeller does it with defense, allowing just 31.5 PPG in the 6 postseason games. West Virginia signee Miles McBride leads a team with an average margin of victory this season of 27 points a contest.

St. Edward will attempt to become just the fourth program in OHSAA history to win a football and boys basketball state titles in the same school year:

  • Cleveland Benedictine (1996-97)
  • St. Henry (1990-91)
  • Marion Pleasant (1972-73)

The Eagles previously cut down the nets in 2014 and 1998. While St. Edward isn’t the tallest team, they have deadly shooters led by Grant Huffman and Devontae Blanton, both juniors. Head Coach Eric Flannery is in his 23rd season at the school, sporting a career 441-125 mark.

Dru Joyce’s squad lost just one player from last year’s championship team, and played four other state tournament teams this season:

  • Lost to Moeller 99-62
  • Beat Buchtel 76-61
  • Beat Lutheran East 75-58
  • Beat St. Edward 78-64

The Irish will play first time state participant Olentangy Liberty. The Patriots are paced by senior Ben Roderick, who averages 28 points a game. What’s even more impressive is that he suffered a serious knee injury a little over a year ago. The school’s all-time leading scorer, Roderick also set the single game mark with 51 earlier this season.

Only four of those programs will be left standing as state champions on Saturday. Watch all the storylines unfold right here on Spectrum News 1, your television home for high school sports.