March 12th News

By Shaun Spence

March 12, 2008, 7:46AM

Shaun Spence - ohioHSsports.com

Check back each and every weekday for the top prep headlines from across the state. Here are a list of summaries from some of the major stories around Ohio for Wednesday, March 12th:

Basketball: OHSAA to Consider Using Replay

After a couple of controversial fourth quarter endings this past Sunday, the Ohio High School Athletic Association will take a serious look at using video replays to assist game officials. Hank Zaborniak, OHSAA assistant commisioner, said they've been considering it for a few years and he has made contact with the NFHS (National Federation of State High School Association) about the rule. The Division I girls basketball state championship game (Cincinnati Mount Notred Dame/Lakota West) in Columbus and a Division I boys basketball regional championship game (Lakewood St. Edward/Warren Harding) in Cleveland had outcomes in which video replay could have overturned a game-changing decision. The Enquirer

Boys Basketball: Toledo Libbey Prepares for St. Paris Graham

Libbey's head coach, Leroy Bates, tried out for the Toledo Scott basketball team in the mid 1960's, but didn't make the team. Bates then put his focus on wrestling, a sport that Libbey's state semifinal opponent (St. Paris Graham) has national recognition. The fourth-ranked Cowboys will play fifth-ranked Graham to open the boys state basketball tournament on Thursday at 10:45 am. The Division II state semifinal will be played at Value City Arena in Columbus as it kicks off the 86th annual boys state basketball tournament. Coach Bates' team is senior oriented with a starting 5 consisting of all seniors: 6-5 guard William Buford (22.6 points), 6-6 forward Julius Wells (11.7 points), 6-3 guard Brad Sandridge (11.3 points), 6-5 forward Lance Jones (5.6 points), and 6-3 guard Tony Brown (8.4 points). The top sub has been senior Brad Burton. St. Paris Graham is much more youthful as 5 of their top 6 players are juniors or sophomores. Toledo Blade

Basketball: Central Ohio's All-Conference List

The list of several Columbus-area conferences and their All-Conference teams include the Columbus City League (North and South Divisions), Central Catholic League, Mid-State Leagues (Buckeye, Cardinal, Ohio Divisions), and the MOAC. Also listed is the girls basketball all-district team. Some of the top players mentioned include Jared Sullinger (Northland), Devon Moore (Northland), B.J. Mullens (Canal Winchester), Nick Kellog (DeSales), Bumpus and Vincent Coleman (Eastmoor Academy), Krystal Stoening (Licking Valley), Whitney Levering (Fredericktown), and Katie Griffin (Fisher Catholic). Columbus Dispatch

Boys Basketball: Division III and IV All-Ohio Teams Include Malvern Players/Coach

Malvern came up just short of a trip to Columbus and the Division IV state tournament when they fell to Bedford St. Peter Chanel this past Monday, leaving the Hornets a little dissapointed. The recognition of individual achievements for players and coaching was not dissapointing for the Hornets. Senior Zak Kapron was named to The Associated Press Division IV All-Ohio boys first team, A 6-foot-6 forward, Kapron averaged 20 points and 11 rebounds per game for the Hornets. Junior Tyler Tucci made the second team and his father/coach, Dennis Tucci shared the state's Coach of the Year honors. Canton Repository

Don't see news from your area of the state? Post a comment below with your local paper's web address and we'll feature your prep coverage throughout the week.