Previewing Local 2025 Boys Southeast District Games
- Staff
- Feb 24
- 5 min read
Division V Southeast District Semifinals
(8) South Point Pointers (12-10) vs. (1) Minford Falcons (20-1)
Date: Monday, Feb. 24
Location: Waverly Downtown Gym
Tip Off: 6:00 P.M.
Minford felt their tournament run was cut short last season. But they're back with a strong cast of players and eyeing a much deeper run in 2025. The Pointers will have their hands full trying to stop two of the top players in Southeast Ohio from going on a scoring frenzy.
Who to watch for South Point: Brayden Hanshaw, Senior, Forward
Hanshaw leads the Pointers in scoring with 17.4 points per game this season. He's also good a scrapping for rebounds, as he also leads the team with average of 7.5 boards per game.
Who to watch for Minford: Myles Montgomery, Senior, Guard
Montgomery was an offensive terror against the Tigers in the first meeting, netting 29 points to lead the Falcons to a 79-68 win. But then again, he's been that way all year. Montgomery eclipsed the 2,000-point mark for his career this season and is the school's all-time leading scorer.
(5) Zane Trace Pioneers (19-4) vs. (4) Ironton Fighting Tigers (14-7)
Date: Monday, Feb. 24
Location: Waverly Downtown Gym
Tip Off: 8:30 P.M.
This could be one of the more competitive games in Waverly over the next two days. The Pioneers are no stranger to being underdogs after posted big wins over Circleville and Jackson this season. Ironton will have to showcase their speed and athleticism to put down any talks of an upset.
Who to watch for Zane Trace: Gunnar McCullough, Junior, Forward
McCullough will be the biggest offensive threat for the Pioneers. On the season, he averaged 14.1 points a game and 8 rebounds per game. McCullough has been a reliable scorer all season, scoring double digit points in 21 of 23 games this season and has scored 11 or more points in his last 9 games.
Who to watch for Ironton: Braden Schreck, Guard, Senior
Schreck has put together a stellar high school career and could be chasing history in the district tournament. The senior guard enters the district semifinal game needing just 55 points to become Ironton's all-time leading scorer.
(7) Wheelersburg Pirates (11-11) vs. (2) Fairland Dragons (21-1)
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 25
Location: Waverly Downtown Gym
Tip Off: 6:00 P.M.
Strangely enough, these two teams were suppose to meet in a regular season bout back on Feb. 11, however inclement weather cause the game to be cancelled. The Dragons will be the favorites in this one. The Pirates could make this one interesting, especially if they're able to hit their shots on the outside early and often.
Who to watch for Wheelersburg: Braylon Rucker, Guard, Junior
Rucker enters the game averaging 18.3 points per game to lead the Pirates offensively. The junior has good range from behind the three-point line. He's also got the ability yo make plays on the defensive end and set up some transition baskets.
Who to watch for Fairland: Brody Buchanan, Guard, Senior
Buchanan has elevated his game up a notch in the final weeks of the season. On the season, the senior guard averaged 18.9 points a game and 4.3 assists per game. In his last outing, he netted 24 points against River Valley and hit five 3-pointers in the win.
(6) Eastern Warriors (18-4) vs. (3) Chesapeake Panthers (20-3)
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 25
Location: Waverly Downtown Gym
Tip Off: 6:00 P.M.
This could one be a tough challenge for the Panthers. Eastern has won 10 in a row and is always a tough game for anyone in tournament time. The Panthers will challenge them with their ball pressure to try and force bad shots or generate turnovers in the back court.
Who to watch for Eastern: Grady Barber, Guard, Junior
Barber leads the Warriors offensively with 13.8 points per game. the junior guard has scored double digits in 7 of his last 8 appearances. Barber has been scoring more and more down the stretch, with his 5 highest scoring efforts coming in the last 8 games.
Who to watch for Chesapeake: Maddox Kazee, Forward, Sophomore
Kazee has been a key player in all facets of the game for Chesapeake this season. He's averaging 18.5 points per game and has a 53% field goal average. Kazee can do a lot of damage on the drive, but has no problem pulling up from mid to long-range to get shots.
Division VI Southeast District Semifinals
(10) Rock Hill Redmen (7-15) vs. (2) North Adams Green Devils (18-5)
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 26
Location: Jackson High School
Tip Off: 6:00 P.M.
The Redmen went on the road and pulled off a upset win over the 7 seed Belpre. But the challenge to make it two-a-row get harder as they have to travel up Rt. 93 to face SHAC champion North Adams. Tournament time and Green Devil basketball are nearly synonymous in Adams County.
Who to watch for Rock Hill: player, position, grade
Davidison has been the top scoring threat for the Redmen, averaging a double-double this year. For the regular season, he scored 12 points per game and averaged 10.3 rebounds. He's also able to spread the wealth when needed, as Davidson led the team in assists per game (4.1).
Who to watch for North Adams: Breestin Schweickart, Forward, Senior
Schweickart comes into the semis averaging 18.5 points per game and shoots 48% from the field to spearhead the Green Devil offensive attack. The senior forward can score around the basket, but also has the ability to knock down the triple when given the chance.
Division VII Southeast District Semifinals
(7) Green Bobcats (12-11) vs. (2) Notre Dame Titans (17-5)
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 26
Location: Waverly High School
Tip Off: 6:00 P.M.
These two teams will meet for the third time this season, with the Titans taking the first two in SOC play. The last meeting came down to the wire, with the Titans escaping with a 44-41 win in Franklin Furnace. Could be another low-scoring and physical game for both of these teams.
Who to watch for Green: Jon Knapp, Forward, Junior
Knapp is the team's top scorer and has been sort of a scoring machine in recent weeks for the Bobcats. In his last last against Miller, Knapp piled in 33 points to lead the Bobcats to an opening round win.
Who to watch for Notre Dame: Myles Phillips, Guard, Senior
Phillips is one of the key components for the Titans offense. The senior guard has the range to hit shots from the outside all night if he's on target.
Best potential District Finals match-up:
Ironton vs. Minford
The Falcons won the only meeting between the two on Dec. 20, in what was Ironton's first game of the season following a late start due to the football team's successful playoff run. But this time around, both teams could be a full strength and provide one of the most competitive games that weekend.
Chesapeake vs. Fairland
If you already know what happened twice this season, then you'll know why this wasn't a hard pick to make. Nothing could elevate this rivalry more than a chance to punch their ticket to the regionals. And another scoring battle between Brody Buchanan and Maddox Kazee will be something for the avid basketball fan to keep their eyes on.
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