Margaretta, Genoa clash in massive regional semifinal

The time has finally come. Ever since Margaretta defeated Genoa in a district final March 1, 2025, a rematch in this year's boys basketball tournament has been expected. Both teams returned a majority of their starting lineups with complimentary pieces that have stepped into bigger roles this season. Now, it's here. The No. 3-ranked Polar Bears take a 22-3 record into their Division V regional semifinal against No. 4 Genoa, which is undefeated at 25-0. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Elida Fieldhouse. "Genoa is a very nice team with tremendous size and length, good guard play and tremendous experience," Margaretta coach Steve Keller said. "They are undefeated for a reason and play with great effort and intensity. "We need to do what we have been blessed to do all season, which is play hard and be unselfish. Genoa will mix up their defenses between zone and man, so will need to play at all three levels of offense." The Polar Bears won that district title contest last year at Lakota High School, 70-57. Margaretta also defeated the Comets twice in the 2023-24 season, 53-38 in a regular season game at Margaretta and 59-47 in a district final at Norwalk. "Extremely talented, experienced and well-coached," said Genoa coach Jon Sandwisch of the Polar Bears. "They have been one of the best teams in the state of Ohio the last few years for a reason. "Margaretta is extremely athletic and creates a ton of turnovers. We will need to take care of the ball and take high-quality shots." The game does not lack quality talent. Margaretta is led by University of Dayton signee Julian Washington. The senior is averaging around 23 points, six rebounds and four assists per game. Genoa counters with 6-foot-8 senior Walter Plantz, a Division II Ashland signee. He is putting up about 22 points and 10 rebounds a contest for the Comets. "Genoa is very good and it starts with Walter," Keller said. "They do a nice job of playing through him and their others are good with quickness, length and good athleticism." Both teams have tremendous point guards. The Polar Bears' offense runs through Judah Keller, who is committed to play football at the University of Findlay next season. He averages about 13 points, four assists and just one turnover per game. Ryan Routson will get Genoa into what it needs to do offensively. He tallies around 13 points, eight assists and only two turnovers per night. "We must limit them in transition, force contested shots and rebound," Sandwisch said. "This is both teams' 26th game of the season. At this point, both teams are going to do what they have done throughout the course of the season. It is too late to make wholesale changes." Margaretta also topped the Comets during Washington and Plantz's freshman year, 70-63 in overtime at Genoa. The two are super familiar with each other, having played for Polar Bears assistant coach Jake Meisler for the Ohio Buckets during the AAU season. "A game like this means that adjustments are always possible and will probably be needed," coach Keller said. "We will prepare and practice the types of adjustments that may need to be made versus them going into the game." Both teams have played in numerous gyms and venues over the past four years, but it'll be a first for both at the Elida Fieldhouse. "Emotions are good," Sandwisch said. "We love that we get to play in big games and have played in a lot of them the past four seasons. This is what makes small-town basketball great. Two public schools representing their communities." The Fieldhouse holds about 3,000 and is expected to be at max capacity Wednesday. The winner faces either No. 5 Columbus Africentric (20-4) or No. 8 Columbus Academy (21-4) at 2 p.m. Saturday in a regional final at Ohio Dominican University. "The team has been in this environment before and we need to keep an equilibrium about us to stay the course and keep playing hard regardless of situation," coach Keller said. "The hoop is 10-foot, the free throw line is 15-foot and the 3-point line is 19 feet, 9 inches. "So, we need to keep in mind we are playing basketball, a game that we have been playing since we were young, and we look forward to a nice venue at Elida." Pep rally for Lady Bears Margaretta's girls basketball team will be the main attraction at a community pep rally at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Iceberg. The Polar Bears will play in the Division VI state semifinals at 7 p.m. Thursday at Wright State University's Nutter Center. The Bears will have an autograph session at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the elementary school. There will be a pep rally at the high school at 2:15 p.m. and a sendoff at 3:15. The Lady Bears will attend the Margaretta boys' regional semifinal in Elida on Wednesday before traveling to Dayton.