The OHSAA's re-shuffling of the Division I regional alignment has delivered a night Cleveland basketball fans have waited for: Cleveland teams playing at Cleveland State for the right to represent the city at next weekend's state tournament.
Warren Harding is the lone party crasher. The Raiders of Trumbull County displayed loads of athleticism and talent in winning the loaded Warrensville Heights District in their first year there, and they enter the regional as the on-paper favorite to advance.
But nothing is expected to come easy in either of Wednesday's games. Though Harding is 22-1 and won at Mentor in the regular season finale just over two weeks ago, Mentor played that game without two key players and is used to playing - and succeeding - at the up-tempo pace Harding prefers.
The first game of the night features 19-4 St. Edward, still rolling along despite losing star forward Delvon Roe early in the year. The Eagles, whose only Ohio loss came to Div. II power Toledo Libbey on a neutral floor, will look to outmuscle an Elyria team that can score with anyone and features four senior starters.
Wednesday's winners meet Saturday night for the right to go to state.
Game One: Elyria (17-6) vs. St. Edward (19-4)
The Pioneers are surprise qualifiers in only one regard; Elyria High hasn't played in the regionals since 1977. But this group has plenty of talent and athleticism, and it avenged two consecutive district finals losses to Strongsville by beating the Mustangs, 68-64, in the district semis.
Elyria rode a hot start to a 98-83 win over Olmsted Falls in last Saturday's district finals, a game that showcased Elyria's strengths. The Pioneers play fast and with balance; all five starters scored in double figures, led by Demetrius Dalton's 26. Elyria scored 56 first-half points in the win.
St. Edward was the clear favorite in the Brecksville District and advanced to CSU with a tougher than expected 60-56 win over Valley Forge in the district final. The Eagles, who trailed entering the final quarter, rode 6-foot-10 senior Tom Pritchard to the regionals. Pritchard finished the Valley Forge game with 27 points and 10 rebounds, and Conor Tilow added 16 points for the Eagles.
Though St. Ed's has played the much tougher schedule, Elyria is battle tested after playing Normandy, Garfield Heights and Brunswick twice and Strongsville three times. But the Pioneers haven't seen a big man like Pritchard, and they'll look to minimize his effectiveness by playing an up-tempo game. The Eagles prefer a halfcourt, grind-it-out game where they'll look to take advantage not only of their size but also their big-game experience.
Game Two: Mentor (20-4) vs. Warren Harding (22-1)
The Raiders, ranked sixth in the final AP Poll, will have their usual advantages in height and athleticism. But the Cardinals are smart, scrappy and streaky from behind the three-point arc; if they get hot, this game could be played in the 80's.
Harding won at Mentor, 55-34, on Feb 16, pulling away with a big fourth-quarter. But Mentor was without senior leader and top scorer Joey Meyer, a rangy shooter who can score in transition and is the focal point of the Cardinal offense when they slow things down.
Six-foot guard Sheldon Brogdon and 6-foot-5 wing Desmar Jackson lead the way when the Raiders run, while a pair of seniors - 6-foot-8 Chris Henderson and 6-foot-7 Damian Eargle - create second-chances and alter shots under the hoop. Brogdon scored 28 and Jackson added 23 in a wild district title win over Cleveland Heights.
Cleveland Heights had some late success with the full-court press against Harding, leaving Mentor to decide how much it will press in a game where pace and rebounding will be key. The Cardinals' keys are to take care of the ball, keep Harding off the offensive glass and get Meyer going from beyond the arc to keep the pressure on the Raiders.
Harding's season has ended the last three years in the Canton District at the hands of teams that eventually went to state; Canton McKinley won it all in 2005 and 2006, and Glenoak was a Final Four team last year. This team is regarded as the best of Warren's bunch and won't be satisfied with anything less than a trip to the Final Four.
ohioHSsports.com will stream live video of both contests starting at 6:10 p.m.