District Semifinal Recap: Division V and VI
A light night of hoops gives us our three district final matchups on Saturday
Division V
#1 Columbus Academy 70, #11 Utica 36
Columbus Academy won their 16th-consecutive game and advances to the district finals for the third-straight year in a 34-point win over Utica. The Vikings advance to the district finals where they will take on No. 5 Harvest Prep on Saturday at 5 p.m. at Mount Vernon Nazarene. This is a matchup of the last two regional champions in Division V (and formerly Division III). Columbus Academy is led by Harvard signee and Mr. Basketball candidate Jason Singleton and will get the toughest test that they’ve seen yet in an experienced, deep and talented Harvest Prep squad. The Vikings have been playing their best basketball during this run and have truly evolved into an all-around team and not a one-man show which has made them a dangerous threat.
#5 Harvest Prep 70, #3 Bishop Ready 59
Harvest Prep went on the road for a matinee 5 p.m. tip off (more on why later) and won in thrilling fashion on the west side. The Warriors trailed at the end of the second and third quarters, however, a dominant 28-14 fourth quarter put Prep on top and put Ready away. The defensive intensity of the Warriors knocked Ready off balance, as the usual steady trio of Silver Knights guards did not play up to expectations, which put them in a tough spot. Prep is led by a consummate pro in senior Ephraim Campbell, a four year varsity starter that played in two state tournaments with the Warriors as an underclassman, and is leading by example with play and communication in a run to the district finals. Out of all the teams in the district, Harvest Prep might just match up with Columbus Academy the best, which will make Saturday’s district final arguably the best of the weekend. Now back to why it was a 5 p.m. tip? Harvest Prep head coach David Dennis Sr. is also the head coach of the Warriors’ girls basketball team and is coaching in a Division VI regional semifinal as I type these letters. Dennis will have the extremely rare opportunity to win two district championships in the same season with Prep’s girls and boys - if the Warriors emerge victorious against the top-seeded Vikings.
