Michael Bothwell scored 22 points and Cornerstone Christian advanced past Berlin Hiland, 51-41, on Thursday, March 22, 2018 in the OHSAA Division IV state semifinals

(3-23-18) Competitive Balance may have played a big part in the make-up of this year’s OHSAA boys basketball tournament, but one school managed to avoid its changes, Cornerstone Christian. The Patriots have 42 boys according to the OHSAA figures, even after the CB enrollment adjustments they are at 86. One way to beat the CBP. Even Coach Norman Dale and Hickory had more boys at their school.

The Patriots play the majority of their games this season against upper division teams,

Those losses include:

  • Cleveland Heights
  • Cleveland Central Catholic
  • Lakewood St. Edward
  • Killian (FL)
  • Solon

Wins over:

  • Cleveland St. Ignatius
  • Elyria Catholic
  • Garfield Heights
  • Lutheran East
  • Gilmour Academy
  • Mentor
  • Cleveland VASJ
  • Warren JFK
  • Bristol, Rittman
  • Mansfield St. Peter’s

MaxPrep’s Kurt Stubbs, who wrote the State preview for the Patriots on the OHSAA web page:

This is arguably the best resume in the history of Ohio Div. IV basketball.

The Flyers have gone unnoticed by the statewide basketball media this year, not even getting votes in the final AP DIV poll. To underestimate Marion Local would be a mistake by those same folks.

Preacher Purl (Hoosiers):

“[Just before the big game]And David put his hand in the bag and took out a stone and slung it. And it struck the Philistine on the head and he fell to the ground. Amen.”

Cornerstone Christian 21-7

Cornerstone Christian projected starters:

  • Michael Bothwell (6-3, sr., G, 25.0 points) DIV Player of the Year, Furman commit
  • Dontavius Henry (5-10, sr., G, 2.8)
  • Jeremy Owens (5-10, sr., G/F, 7.6)
  • Martel Ferrell (6-6, sr., F, 4.8)
  • Kendall Saunders (6-5, sr., F/C, 11.9)

MaxPreps Regular Season RESULTS

TOURNAMENT TRAIL
3/2 Maplewood (W) 88 – 45
3/5 John F. Kennedy Catholic (W) 72 – 56
3/9 Bristol (W) 50 – 30
3/13 Rittman (W) 55 – 41
3/16 Mansfield St. Peter’s (W) 72 – 56
3/22 Berlin Hiland (W) 51 – 41

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