#5 St Paul (12-10) vs #1 Monroeville (17-5) - Boys OHSAA Sectional Championship Basketball

The road to a sectional championship runs through Monroeville High School as the #5 seed St. Paul Flyers meet the #1 seed Monroeville Eagles in a Division VII postseason showdown at The MAC in Monroeville. What makes this matchup even more compelling is the proximity — the two schools are separated by just 4.8 miles. It’s one of the area’s fiercest rivalries, and now it comes with tournament implications. Bragging rights are always on the line when these programs meet, but this time a sectional championship and a trip to the District Semi-Finals raise the stakes even higher. St. Paul (12-10, 7-7) enters playing some of its best basketball of the year. Head coach Steve Minor’s group has surged in the second half of the season, winning four of its last five games and showing the confidence of a team that captured a district championship in 2025. The Flyers picked up a 62-60 win over Plymouth on February 13 and followed with a 50-45 win over Western Reserve on February 7 before falling at Crestview 67-57 in their most recent outing. They also own a 44-38 victory over Monroeville back on January 17 — a result that should add intrigue to this rematch. Junior wing Nate Griffin has been a steady force for St. Paul. Voted All-District 6 Second Team by the coaches, Griffin averages 14.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 86 percent from the free-throw line. He ranks second on the team in scoring and assists and leads the Flyers in steals, giving them production on both ends of the floor. The Flyers also feature one of the area’s top scorers in Landon Fries, a First Team All-District selection who averages 17 points per game. His ability to create his own shot and carry the scoring load gives St. Paul a go-to option in key moments. For the Flyers, the formula is clear: break even inside and limit turnovers to control tempo. Monroeville (17-5, 11-3) counters with momentum of its own. The Eagles are riding a 10-game winning streak and recently claimed their first Firelands Conference title in 42 years. Under head coach Bob Fries, Monroeville has proven to be one of the most balanced teams in the area, coming off dominant wins over FSJCC (74-34) and Edison (53-40), along with a dramatic 59-58 victory over South Central. Senior wing Maverick Myers headlines the Eagles. A First Team All-District 6 selection, Myers is averaging 14 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game during a consistent senior campaign. He can knock down the three, but he’s equally dangerous attacking off the dribble and creating opportunities for teammates. Monroeville’s balance is evident with multiple All-District performers. Cole Perry averages a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds per game and earned First Team All-District honors, providing a strong presence on the glass and inside. Derek Ackerman, a Second Team All-District selection, adds 10 points and 5 rebounds per game, giving the Eagles another reliable scoring option. Monroeville’s keys will be finding shooters in rhythm and playing with purpose from the opening tip. Awaiting the winner is a spot in the District Semi-Finals at Oregon Clay High School on March 5th at 6 PM. But before anyone looks ahead, this rivalry takes center stage. With just 4.8 miles separating the communities, expect a packed house, playoff intensity, and a game that feels much bigger than the bracket line it fills. Tonight's contest is proudly presented LIVE and FREE by these fine sponsors: "Firelands Aerial - The Eagle Eye firelandsaerial.com   / weflyabove   Monroeville Athletic Boosters [email protected] facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068148704162 Roeder Racing [email protected] facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068148704162 Myers Rental (419) 465-4248 Tents - Tables - Chairs Havana Tavern facebook.com/p/The-Havana-Tavern-100063723633406/ (419) 935-0447 Maple City Automotive maplecityautomotive.com facebook.com/maplecityautomotive American Homestead Exteriors americanhomesteadexteriors.com facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093498665404&mibextid=LQQJ4d North Central State College ncstatecollege.edu facebook.com/ncstatecollege"