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Kenmore senior Charles Hearn and his Cardinal teammates are playing well in the postseason.
Three City Series teams have survived the first round of Ohio’s version of "March Madness," the state tournament.
The state’s top-ranked Division II team, Buchtel, hadn’t played in nearly two weeks, but it didn’t show after the first half of the Griffins' sectional game against Alliance Friday night at the Canton Fieldhouse. After a slow start offensively, the Griffins (20-0) used their full-court defensive pressure to perfection and crushed the bewildered Aviators.
Buchtel’s defensive traps were deadly, forcing Alliance into 39 turnovers including 13 in the third quarter. Buchtel outscored the Aviators 31-7 in the third quarter and 28-7 in the fourth quarter while playing the bench. The Griffins also ripped down an incredible 39 rebounds.
Myles Fitten led Buchtel with 14 points and Elijah Bell came off the pine to score 13. Five Griffins scored in double figures, and all 15 players scored.
Buchtel meets Marlington Wednesday night at the Fieldhouse. Marlington beat archrival Louisville to advance.
The City’s other Division II contender, Kenmore (15-6), was a two-time winner on the tournament trail, demolishing Canton South 74-46 and then eliminating a good Norton team 72-58. Norton (20-2) recorded only its second loss this season.
Against Canton South, senior guard and two-time City Series Player of the Year Charles Hearn led the Cardinals with 28 points, while big men Travon Ambrose and Charles Huggins scored 12 points each. In the victory over Norton, Travon Ambrose was the scoring leader with 22 points. Charles Hearn had 20.
Kenmore seems to be peaking at the right time.
The Cardinals have their toughest test Wednesday night at the Canton Fieldhouse, taking on defending state champion St. Vincent-St. Mary. Kenmore lost to the Fighting Irish during the regular season, but gave St. Vincent-St. Mary a good game. The Cardinals would love nothing more than to spoil the anticipated district championship game between the Irish and Buchtel.
The City Series' second-best team could be a sleeper in the Division I tournament. The East Orientals (15-6) looked impressive in dismantling Nordonia 70-36 at the Copley Sectional. Davonte Brunson led the East attack with 17 points. De’Shon Hudson scored 11 and Monte Woods 10.
The Orientals will meet Green Wednesday night. The Bulldogs advanced with a 72-52 victory over Barberton.
Firestone, Garfield, North and Ellet all saw their seasons end after one game of the postseason.
Nordonia wiped out a 17-point Firestone lead in the fourth quarter and upset the Falcons 62-60 at the Copley Sectional
Garfield was another upset victim at Copley as Cuyahoga Falls ended the Golden Rams' season with a 69-57 victory.
Ellet closed out the season with a 71-44 loss to Stow
North fell to powerful Cleveland Benedictine 78-49.
The City’s best girls team, Firestone, suffered only its second loss of the season when Green ended the City Series champion’s run with a 53-33 victory over the Falcons in the Ellet District.
After winning their opening game of the tournament against Aurora, the Lady Griffins of Buchtel saw their season end with a lopsided 91-29 loss to state-ranked Walsh Jesuit.