(2) VASJ VS. (4) Cortland Lakeview

What: Division II Canton regional semifinal

When: March 15, 6:15 p.m.

Where: Canton Civic Center, 1101 Market Avenue North

Records: VASJ 17-8, Cortland Lakeview 20-6

On deck: The winner advances to a Canton regional final March 17 against the winner of Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary and Revere.

For the record: The Vikings returned to the regional level with a victory over Lake Catholic in the Ashtabula District final March 10. Lakeview defeated Struthers after it upset Poland Seminary in a Youngstown District semifinal. The Bulldogs compete in the All-American Conference’s White Tier and they finished third in the league behind Poland Seminary and Edgewood. Edgewood fell to Lake Catholic in an Ashtabula District semifinal. Four players average double-digit scoring for Lakeview, led by Daniel Evans and T.J. Lynch at 12.4 points per game apiece. VASJ’s capability to defend the length of the floor and the Vikings’ overall depth will challenge Lakeview’s six-man rotation. Jerry Higgins became the Vikings’ all-time winningest player in their district title win. Higgins leads the team with 23.1 points, 6.3 assists and four steals per game. VASJ owns an advantage inside where the Vikings’ athletic junior forwards, 6-foot-6 Khalil Mitcham and 6-foot-8 Latrace Jackson, will present a significant mismatch against the Bulldogs. Lakeview’s tallest player is listed at 6-foot-1. Mitcham and Jackson played their best basketball in the final weeks of the regular season and have carried that performance into the state tournament.

Barnes’ pick: VASJ

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