RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Ohio — Senior Josiah Harris is the face of the Richmond Heights basketball team and as one of Ohio’s best high school players, he said he’s taking his leadership role to new heights. 

What You Need To Know

  • Richmond Heights is back in the state semifinals after losing there last season

  • They have one of the best high school players in the state in Josiah Harris

  • Two freshman guards have given them a boost this year

  • The Division IV semifinals are Saturday at UD Arena in Dayton

 

He even stopped practice after it went off tempo. 

“We got states. Couple days. We gotta get this right,” Harris said to his teammates, trying to get them back on track. 

He’s committed to play at West Virginia next year, but he has unfinished business first. He wants to avenge the loss in the state semis last year, where they lost to the eventual state champs. 

“We got there last year, to the final, just not good enough. This city deserves a championship and we’re going to bring it to them,” Harris said. 

This group has a mix of experience and young talent. Dorian Jones and DeErick Barber run the backcourt and are both freshman, but that’s in name only. 

“After our first game, they’ve been telling us the whole year we ain’t freshmen no more. Throw it out the window,” Barber sad. 

Jones said it took time before that sunk in. 

“I stopped feeling like a freshman once we reached regionals. Once we reached regionals, everybody at that point everyone is at their next grade level,” Jones said. 

Coach Quentin Rogers said they had to mature quickly. 

“They went through the fire and now they’ve been baptized to another level,” Rogers said. 

Now with a mix of youth and experience, Harris said that should give them the edge. 

“We got a whole different group of guys and we’re just gelling together and we’re ready to get this dub,” Harris said. 

Richmond Heights plays Hiland on Saturday at 10:45 a.m. 

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