Jonathan Alder’s Grant Welsch (1) pursues a Graham ballhandler during a game early in the season. The Pioneers have earned the No. 5 seed for the upcoming Division II tournament.
(Journal-Tribiune photo by Tim Miller)
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Jonathan Alder has earned the highest post-season seed among four local boys hoop squads.
The Pioneers have drawn the No. 5 rating for the upcoming Division II tournament.
Alder held a 15-4 record earlier in the week.
Jonathan Alder will tip off the 2021-22 post-season with a home contest on Wednesday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m.
The Pioneers will host No. 21 Columbus Centennial.
“We are looking forward to the challenge and are excited for the opportunities the tournament can present,” said JA head coach Zach Ross.
Alder made a deep run during the tournament in Ross’ first two years at the helm.
Jonathan Alder has been the D-II district runner-up the past two seasons, losing to Columbus St. Francis DeSales in the district championship contest both years.
JA won’t have to worry about the Stallions, at least through the district tournament.
DeSales is in the first Columbus sectional/district bracket, while Alder is in the second.
A victory over Centennial would give the Pioneers another home tournament game.
JA would host No. 13 seed Caledonia River Valley, from Marion County, on Saturday, Feb. 26, at 1 p.m.
The Fairbanks Panthers have also secured an opening-round home game for the Division III tournament.
FHS (12-8 at press time) is the No. 12 seed and will host No. 19 Liberty-Union.
That contest is also scheduled for Feb. 23 with a 7 p.m. tip time.
“We are excited to host a tournament game,” said first-year Panther bench boss Zach Brown.
“Liberty Union is going to be a tough opponent and we have to be prepared to play a four-quarter game.”
A victory would send the Panthers on the road for their next post-season contest.
They would travel to No. 2-seed Columbus Bishop Ready for a 1 p.m. game on Feb. 26.
The Marysville Monarchs have been seeded No. 27 for the Division I tournament.
MHS (8-11) will make a trip to Delaware County for its first post-season contest.
The Monarchs will play at No. 23 Sunbury Big Walnut on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m.
A triumph against the Golden Eagles would send MHS to No. 18 Delaware Hayes on Friday, Feb. 25, 7 p.m.
“We’ve seen a lot of film of Big Walnut and we had some success earlier this year against Delaware Hayes,” said first-year Monarch head coach Mark Tinklenberg. “We are familiar with both teams and feel we can match up well with them.
“Our goal is to advance to the district semifinals and we feel this is our best route,” he said. “Of course, we still have to go out and win those games.”
The post-season for local boys hoopsters actually begins next week.
The Triad Cardinals (8-12) will travel to Vandalia-Butler High School for the opening round of the Division III tournament in the Southwest District.
The Cardinals, who are seeded 15th, will face No. 16 seed Northeastern on Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.