Three area teams to play for Regional Final Saturday
By David Mansell
Three Limaland boys basketball programs are one win away from a trip to the state tournament; Lima Central Catholic (LCC) Thunderbirds, Shawnee Indians, and Delphos St. John’s Blue Jays.
All three teams have battled through tough postseason paths and now stand on the doorstep of a Final Four appearance.
Kicking the action off Saturday will be the Lima Central Catholic Thunderbirds (18-7, 5-1 NWC).
The T-Birds have taken the tough road to the regional final, but the they continue to prove they belong among the state’s elite. After starting the season 6-6, LCC has caught fire at the right time, and their latest win was perhaps their most impressive yet—a 43-35 upset over previously undefeated Patrick Henry.
After a back and forth contest, LCC outscored the Patriots 16-4 in the fourth quarter. Jordan Priddy was the star of the night, scoring 25 points, leading the Thunderbirds to yet another postseason triumph. Jeff Williams III and Brady Parker, though held to just 5 points, have been a steady presence throughout LCC’s tournament run. The Thunderbirds also got a boost with the return of Aazad Burton, who missed four games due to a leg injury sustained in their loss to Lima Senior. His presence could be a game-changer as they prepare for a battle with Colonel Crawford (24-1) at Bowling Green State University.
LCC will need to bring the same defensive intensity that fueled their comeback win against Patrick Henry. Colonel Crawford has been dominant all season, but the Thunderbirds have proven they can thrive in close, physical games. If Priddy stays hot and LCC controls the tempo, they could be heading back to the state tournament.
Shawnee, (24-2, 9-0 WBL), will battle Sandusky in the Division Three Regional Final at the University of Toledo Saturday afternoon at 2 PM. That game will broadcast live on 93.1 The Fan.
The Indians have been dominant all season, capturing the Western Buckeye League title and advancing to their first Elite Eight since 2021. Shawnee punched their ticket to the regional final with an impressive 71-65 win over Toledo Central Catholic, showcasing their offensive firepower and clutch playmaking.
In the victory, junior, Beckett Bertke put on a performance to remember, scoring 31 points while going 10-11 from the free-throw line. He also pulled down 9 rebounds and dished out 7 assists, controlling the game on both ends of the floor. His older brother, Trevick, was equally efficient, scoring 19 points while making all seven of his field goal attempts.
Shawnee has been an offensive force throughout the season, led by Beckett’s 20.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, while Trevick adds 19.2 points and 6.2 rebounds. Jagger Hutchins (8.7 PPG) and Tate Bender (6.5 PPG, 4 APG) have also played key roles in the team’s deep tournament run.
Sandusky has been one of the grittiest teams in the tournament, and they’ll look to slow down Shawnee’s high-powered offense. The Indians will need to continue their efficient scoring and rebounding dominance to secure their first state tournament berth in three years.
Delphos St. John’s Aims for Regional Title Against Arlington
Joining LCC in the Regional Finals at Bowling Green State University is Delphos St. John’s (23-2,
9-0 MAC).
The Blue Jays will battle Arlington, (23-3), in a highly anticipated matchup at 3 p.m. on Fun 107.1.
St. John’s have been one of the most dominant teams in the state this season, cruising through the Midwest Athletic Conference with an unbeaten record and now finding themselves just one win away from the state Final Four.
In their most recent victory, the Jays made quick work of Ft. Jennings in the District Finals, 69-41. Junior standout Cam Elwer once again led the way with a monster performance, scoring 27 points while adding 11 rebounds and 4 assists. His ability to control the game offensively and on the glass has been instrumental in the Blue Jays’ postseason success.
Jackson Weichart (11 points), Andrew Elwer (10 points, 4 rebounds), and Easton Elwer (10 points, 4 rebounds) also provided key contributions in the win.
St. John’s will turn their attention to Arlington, a 23-win team that has proven to be one of the toughest small-school programs in Ohio. With Elwer leading the charge, the Jays will look to continue its balanced attack and defensive pressure that has propelled them to this stage.
With Shawnee, Lima Central Catholic, and Delphos St. John’s all competing for regional titles on Saturday, it’s a massive day for Limaland basketball.