Photo Provided Pictured is the Monroe Central boys’ basketball team after its Ohio Division VI Eastern District Championship Game victory over Hiland. Front row, from left, are Cooper Graham (manager), Dylan Parden, Chance Allen, Logan Powell (standing), Tucker Howell, Jacob Fogle, Tyler Whitacre and Walker Howell (manager). Back row, from left, are Assistant Coach Dane Merckle, Assistant Coach Caine Leasure, Head Coach Mason Lang, Assistant Coach Derrick Parden, Blake Yontz, Caedyn Silva, Coach Justin Friday, Noah Marshall, Lucas Dalton, Brayden Baker, AJ Rutter, Corbin Farnsworth, Cooper Howell, Max Demchak and Assistant Coach Trey Doughtery.

COLUMBUS — The Monroe Central boys’ basketball program has never advanced past the district tournament, losing to perennial state power Hiland in the quarterfinals in 2023 and the championship game a year ago.

However, that trend came to a screeching halt last Friday night when the white-hot Seminoles (22-3) grounded the high-flying Hawks, 54-33, in the Ohio Division VI District final before an overflow crowd that jammed its way inside Gene Ford Gymnasium at Cambridge High School.

With the cherished triumph, Monroe Central moves on to Region 23 semifinal action against Seaman North Adams (20-5) Wednesday night inside Ohio Dominican University in suburban Columbus. The game tips at 5:30 p.m.

The last time a team from the Woodsfield area qualified for the regional tournament came in 1985 when Mitch Hannahs-led Graysville Skyvue advanced to the state finals before falling to Jackson Center. Hannahs is now the head baseball coach at South Florida.

The Green Devils have won nine straight and 13 of their last 14. They were 13-0 in the Southern Hills Conference and defeated Peebles, 65-45, in the Southeast 1 District final. Eleven of their victories have come by 20 or more points.

“Seaman North Adams is a senior heavy team that is filled with shooters,” second-year Monroe Central head coach Mason Lang said. “They have a lot of athleticism and a couple players who are really good at getting to the basket.”

The Seminoles took down Hiland in large part to its outstanding shooting from the floor and it’s in-your-face defense. They knocked down 21 of 27 shots for a sizzling 78 percent while holding the Hawks to their season-low point total and well below their season average.

“We really emphasize taking the best shots by the best players,” Lang said. “Our perimeter players are always looking to take step-in shots and our guards have worked hard on their abilities to get to and finish around the rim.”

Monroe Central is led by 6-1 senior Tucker Howell who averages 15.5 points, nearly nine rebounds, five assists and three steals per night. Those numbers aren’t indicative of the presence the program’s and school’s all-time leading scorer has on the floor as he averaged just over 20 minutes a game due to blowout wins.

Classmate Chase Allen, 6-5, is the second-leading scorer in Monroe Central history. He averages 14.7 points and 5.5 rebounds a night while playing above the rim at times. His numbers, like Howell’s, are lower than they could be.

Allen is also a lock-down defender as witnessed by his effort against Hiland’s Nick Wigton.

The Seminoles’ x-factor is 6-0 sophomore guard/forward Cooper Howell. He averages just under 10 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in limited time. He, like Allen, is a lock-down defender.

Corbin Farnsworth, a 6-2 sophomore, and Caedyn Silva, a 5-9 junior, are role players for the Seminoles who, at times, have buried some shots from long distance. Farnsworth is also a banger on the boards while Silva distributes the ball very well.

Off the bench, 6-2 senior Tyler Whitacre provides depth on the inside while senior sharp-shooters Dylan Parden (6-0) and Jacob Fogle (6-1) give Lang some deadly long-range abilities.

Lang also spoke about the large crowds that have followed the Seminoles on the wide ride.

“We have received great support from our community all season,” he stressed. “Our fans have always traveled well to our games and are always eager to help and support the boys in any way they can.”

Albeit in a loss, Monroe Central already has a game at Alumni Hall under its belt. The Seminoles fell to Milford Center Fairbanks, 56-54, on the last-second shot in mid-January.

“I think it is a positive,” Lang said of playing there before. “We have taken this trip before so we will be prepared for the long drive and great atmosphere.”

When asked what it will take to move on to Saturday afternoon’s regional final, also at Alumni Hall, Lang replied, “At this point in the season every team you play will be a quality opponent. With that in mind, we have to continue to play with the intensity and focus that has shown up the last two games. And, as always, we must control the boards, limit turnovers, and contest shots.”

The Monroe Central-Seaman North Adams winner will face the winner of the 8 o’clock Cardington Lincoln vs. Beaver Eastern matchup.