Jonathan Alder’s Jackson Izzard (5), top photo, is fouled going to the basket. In the bottom photo, North Union’s Aaron Krebehenne puts in a layup. JA is seeded first in Division II, while NU is No. 4 in D-III for the upcoming boys Central District basketball tournaments. (Journal-Tribune photos by Tim Miller and Sam Dillon)
The Union County area is the home of a top-seeded high school boys basketball team.
The state-ranked (No. 5) Pioneers of Jonathan Alder (16-0) have been named the No. 1 seeded squad for the upcoming Division II Central District tournament.
Jonathan Alder will host No. 22 Hamilton Township on Friday, Feb. 26.
Tip-off time for the opening post-season contest is slated for 7 p.m.
JA is one of several local boys hoop squads that will host opening-round post-season contests.
The Marysville Monarchs (8-7) are the No. 20 seeded team in Division I.
MHS will host No. 33 Groveport-Madison on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m.
North Union and Fairbanks are scheduled to host Division III games on Saturday, Feb. 27.
The Wildcats (15-2) will take to their home court at 1 p.m.
They will face the winner of the game between No. 8 Centerburg and No. 22 Columbus North International.
The Fairbanks contests will follow a few hours later on that day with a 7 p.m. tip-time.
The Panthers (13-5) will host the winner of the game between No. 9 Columbus Academy and No. 12 Johnstown Northridge.
The higher-seeded team, in this case Academy, would normally host a game.
The Vikings, however, are not permitted to host a basketball contest due to Franklin County’s COVID-19 stay-at-home (no fans) order, according to Fairbanks head coach Justin George.
“That’s what we were told during Sunday’s drawing meeting,” said George. “We were told Northridge would host Columbus Academy and we will host our game against the winner of the Academy-Northridge contest.”