3.14.23
The Lutheran High School East Falcons and Lutheran High School West Longhorns are both headed to the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) state final four tournament this weekend in Dayton, OH.
2023 marks the 75th anniversary of The Cleveland Lutheran High School Association (CLHSA), which manages both schools. In the history of the CLHSA, never before have both schools had teams in the men’s basketball state final four tournament.
Lutheran East (Division III) secured its final four spot on Saturday, March 11 with a regional championship victory over the #2 seed Cuyahoga Heights Red Wolves. The final score was Falcons 84 – Red Wolves 50. The regional championship game was played at the Canton Memorial Fieldhouse in Canton, OH.
The 2022-2023 season marks Lutheran East’s 6th consecutive regional championship – they won the regional title in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023 (the 2020 playoff season was cut short due to COVID-19). This season was also Lutheran East’s 8th consecutive district championship (2016-2023).
Falcons Head Coach Sam Liggins (Lutheran East Class of 2005) says, “We’ve made it to the state tournament several times in the past few years, but each time is just as thrilling. This team is competitive, hardworking, and persistent–all qualities that have gotten us this far this season, and may help us capture another state title.”
Lutheran West (Division II) earned its own final four spot, also this past Saturday, with a 55-37 win over the Van Wert High School Cougars. Their regional championship game took place at Bowling Green State University’s Stroh Center.
At Lutheran West, there are only three other teams in school history who have won regional championships and advanced to the “final four”: the 1976 women’s basketball team, the 1998 men’s basketball team, and the 2003 women’s volleyball team. It had been since 2007 that Lutheran West men’s basketball had won a regional title.
Longhorns Head Coach Jordan Duke says, “Our team and our entire school is so excited to make the trip to Dayton this week. We’ve worked incredibly hard this season and it’s paid off, and I couldn’t be prouder of this team and the journey we’ve been on this season.”
The OHSAA State Final Four Tournament will take place from Friday through Sunday, March 17 – March 19.
The Lutheran West Longhorns play in the state semi-final game against Chaminade Julienne Catholic School (Dayton, OH) on Friday, March 17 at 10:45 AM at the University of Dayton Arena.
The Lutheran East Falcons play their state semi-final game against Canal Winchester Harvest Prep at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 18.
Spectrum News 1 Ohio will cover the state tournament on television and at spectrumnews1.com/ohio.
All tickets to attend the tournament in person must be purchased online through the OHSAA at https://www.ohsaa.org/tickets.