Boys basketball: Bees, Pioneers are now playing with full decks

AKRON Its amazing how things can change over the course of two weeks.

When Elyria and Medina met on Feb. 17, there was nothing notable on the line in Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division game.

Medinas Logan Winkler drives against Firesonte in a Division I District title game. (GAZETTE PHOTO BY RON SCHWANE)

The Bees got revenge for a 78-66 January loss with a 55-46 decision to tie the Pioneers for oh-so-meaningless fourth place, but stumbled into the postseason with a loss to doormat Strongsville.

Meanwhile, the Pioneers had a little but not much momentum after hanging tough in an eight-point loss to Garfield Heights.

Flash forward one month and the stakes couldnt be much higher for two schools whose identities have changed drastically.

Medina (9-15) and Elyria (14-9) will clash tonight in an unlikely Division I regional semifinal at the University of Akrons James A. Rhodes Arena, the high school home of LeBron James. The winner will face Toledo Whitmer, which handed Norwalk its first loss of the season, on Saturday for a ticket to Columbus.

Youre going to see two different ball teams than what you saw in the regular season, Bees coach Anthony Stacey said. Were playing with so much more confidence and our defense has been so much better here the last few weeks. We havent given up a 20-point quarter since Strongsville in the first quarter. Our defense has been really, really good.

The Bees have been transformed with the return of Michigan State recruit Kenny Kaminski, while the emergence of Isaiah Walton has given the Pioneers a third wheel to complement sweet-shooting Kody Bender and center Anthoni Horton.

Theyre really athletic and they can rebound the ball really well, Billy Geschke said. We need good transition defense. They get down the floor really quickly they have quick guards and the big men you have to box out on a lot. Our offense will go through our defense.

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Boys basketball: Bees, Pioneers are now playing with full decks