Division II Boys State Basketball Tournament Preview

By Mike Conley

March 12, 2008, 12:02AM

Some advice for those planning to attend the Division II state semifinals Thursday at Ohio State's Value City Arena...

Don't blink.

Expect wild, fast-paced and hard-fought action as four of the state's top five Division II teams according to the final Associated Press poll square off. Highly-regarded and fourth-ranked Toledo Libbey meets undefeated and fifth-ranked St. Paris Graham in the first game at 10:45 a.m.

In the second game, the state's first and second ranked teams, unbeaten Poland Seminary and Chillicothe square off at 2 p.m.

Libbey features Ohio State recruit and Ohio's Division II co-Player of the Year in William Buford, who will try to lead the Cowboys to their first state crown. First up is a pesky Graham team that's come from seemingly nowhere - that's a wrestling school, isn't it? - and brings an unbeaten record to Columbus.

Poland ran through its Youngstown-area competition during the regular season and district play. The deep, aggressive Bulldogs sealed their trip to state by holding off Lake County Perry and pulling away from Cleveland Benedictine in the regionals, and now face a Chillicothe team that also likes an up-and-down game.

The winners meet Saturday at 10:45 a.m. for the Division II state crown.

Game One: 26-0 St. Paris Graham vs. 23-2 Toledo Libbey

Even when St. Paris Graham completed its first-ever undefeated regular season, not many gave the Falcons a chance to keep winning. With just one senior in a starting lineup that doesn't feature a player taller than 6-foot-3, the Falcons were supposed to run into a team that was too big and too talented to survive.

Hasn't happened yet.

The Falcons overwhelmed 7-foot B.J. Mullens and Canal Winchester in the regional semifinals, then nipped Kettering Alter by a point in overtime in the final as Josh Schuler scored 19 points and Austin Jones added 18.

It's not unusual for eight or more players to crack the scoring column for the Falcons, who will need all the help they can get against a Libbey team that's as athletic as any team still playing in any division.

Buford, also a first-team all-state pick last season, has scored more than 2,000 points during his high school career. He has help from Julius Wells and Brad Sanrdridge - among others - too; the Cowboys held off Lexington in the regional final despite Buford fouling out.

Wells, a 6-foot-6 Marist recruit, will be key to the Cowboys' hopes of establishing an inside presence and exploiting their height advantage. Buford, at 6-foot-5, is a wing player who can score from behind the arc and draw double teams as he attacks the basket.

Game Two: 25-0 Poland Seminary vs. 23-2 Chillicothe

5-foot-9 senior point guard Anthony "Humpty" Hitchens, a first-team all-state pick and University of Akron recruit, leads Chillicothe against Poland's relentless pressure defense.

Hitchens averages better than 21 points per game and is regarded as one of the state's fastest players. If he can beat the pressure he could create layups for 6-foot-7 teammate Ray Chambers, a second-team all-state pick and the tallest player in this game.

Run, run, run. That's the key for both teams.

Poland has a first-team all-state player of its own, 6-foot-3 senior Ben Umbel, and an athletic rotation that goes nine deep. All nine can score, too.

The Bulldogs will first look to attack from behind the three-point line, then set up their fullcourt pressure. In halfcourt sets they'll trap out of a 2-3 zone, looking to deflect passes and force quick shots that lead to transition opportunities.

No, the Cavs didn't run through the state's toughest district and/or regional; not even close, in fact. But Chillicothe's resume includes wins over Zanesville, Cincinnati North College Hill, Dayton Dunbar and one in Value City Arena against Div. I semifinalist Newark. They won't be intimidated by Poland's pressure, but will it wear them out?

This one could be a classic.