OVAC boys basketball tourney field is set
STEUBENVILLE — Three local boys’ basketball teams have qualified for the annual OVAC Tournament.
Catholic Central and Toronto have qualified in Class 2A, while Big Red qualified in Class 5A.
The tournament semifinals are scheduled for Tuesday with the tournament finals being held on Feb. 15 down at the ECO Center in St. Clairsville. The top two seeds in each class hosts the semifinals.
Catholic Central’s 43-32 victory against Oak Glen Tuesday night helped the Crusaders claim the regular season championship and No. 1 seed in 2A. Catholic Central is followed in the standings by Caldwell, Toronto and Clay-Battelle.
The Red Knights entered play Tuesday in first place in the class, however, Indian Creek defeated Toronto, 51-47, at home to drop the boys from the Gem City from the top spot down to the second spot.
The top-ranked Crusaders will take on the fourth-seeded Cee-Bees at home inside the Mickey Barber Gymnasium in one semifinal, while the second-seeded Red Knights will take on the third-seeded Redskins in the other semifinal at home inside the George J. Kunzler Memorial Gymnasium.
The winners of the two semifinals are scheduled to meet in the tournament final at 4 p.m.
Morgantown claimed the regular season title and the top spot in Class 5A. Morgantown is followed in the rankings by Big Red, University and Parkersburg South. The top-seeded Mohigans are set to face off against the fourth-seeded Patriots in one semifinal, while Big Red – the No. 2 seed – will take on the third-seeded Hawks in the other semifinal at home inside the Crimson Center.
The winners of the two semifinals will meet in the tournament final at noon.
St. Clairsville claimed the regular season championship and the No. 1 seed in Class 4A. St. Clairsville is followed in the standings by East Liverpool, Beaver Local and Cambridge. The top-seeded Red Devils will take on the fourth-seeded Bobcats in one semifinal, while the second-seeded Potters will take on the third-seeded Beavers in the other semifinal at Potter Fieldhouse.
The winners of the two semifinals will meet in the final at 10 a.m.
Indian Creek finished in fifth place in the Class 4A standings.
Conference newcomer Heartland Christian claimed the regular season title in Class 1A, and the Lions are the No. 1 seed. Heartland Christian is followed in the standings by Frontier, Valley and Wood County Christian. The top-seeded Lions will take on the fourth-seeded Wildcats in one semifinal, while the second-seeded Cougars are set to take on the Lumberjacks in the other semifinal.
The two winners of the semifinals will meet in the tournament final at 2 p.m.
Madonna finished in fifth place in the Class 1A standings.
Monroe Central claimed the regular season title in Class 3A, and the Seminoles are the No. 1 seed in the class. Monroe Central is followed in the standings by Wheeling Central, Union Local and Martins Ferry. The top-ranked Seminoles will take on the fourth-seeded Purple Riders in one semifinal, while the second-seeded Maroon Knights will take on the third-seeded Jets in the other one.
The winners of the two semifinals will meet in the tournament final at 6 p.m.
The consolation pool games are scheduled to be held Tuesday, Wednesday and Feb. 14. The consolation finals will also be held Feb. 14.
Eight local teams will participate in the consolation pool games. Tuesday, Weir will play at Bellaire, Brooke will play at Harrison Central, Indian Creek will be at John Marshall, Oak Glen will play at Buckeye Local and Edison will play at Beallsville. Trinity Christian will play Madonna on the road Wednesday inside the Dube Dome. On the 14th, Madonna will play at Brooke, Wheeling Park will play at Weir for the second time this season, Wellsville will play at Indian Creek, Harrison Central will play at Oak Glen, Conotton Valley plays at Edison and Buckeye Local plays at Southern Local.