Boys’ Basketball Advances to D-III Regional Final with 70–44 Win Over CVCA

The Central Catholic boys’ basketball team advanced to the Division III Regional Final with a commanding 70–44 victory over Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy on Wednesday in Savage Arena on the campus of the University of Toledo. With the neutral-court win, the Fighting Irish improve to 22–3 on the season.

The Scarlet & Gray controlled the paint throughout the contest, holding a decisive 42–26 advantage in points inside. After a tightly contested opening period, CCHS seized momentum by outscoring the Royals 32–19 over the second and third quarters.

Senior guard Draden Wardrop led four Fighting Irish in double figures with a game-high 17 points, shooting an efficient 8-of-12 from the field. Senior guard Manny Johnson recorded a double-double with 14 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Senior forwards Kingston Sito and Kaeden Carruthers each added 11 points, with Carruthers also posting a game-best three blocked shots.

As a team, Central Catholic shot 55.1 percent (27-of-49) from the field, including 40.0 percent (6-of-15) from three-point range, and finished with a 39–26 rebounding edge. Johnson led six players who recorded at least four rebounds.

CVCA (21–5) was paced by Anthony Collins, who scored 16 points.

Central Catholic returns to Savage Arena on Saturday, March 14, to face Mansfield Senior in the Regional Final at 2 p.m. The Tygers advanced with a 65–61 victory over Alliance in the other regional semifinal.