Day one of the OHSAA State Tournament saw both St. Vincent-St. Mary and Lutheran East advance to championship Saturday. Check out the top performers from the Division 2 and Division 4 semifinal contests. 

Austin Rotroff (Wauseon) 2018

 Miami (OH) and Toledo were the first programs to extend an offer to the blossoming big man but they surely won’t be the last. After a pair of solid showings in the regional tournament, Rotroff’s name has began to buzz as one of the top posts in the state. Wauseon has given up on average just 37.9ppg entering the state tournament and they improved on their point differential this season in a 42-35 win over Eastmoor Academy. Coach Chad Burt (9th season) did a successful job of funneling the Eastmoor into Rotroff, his 6’9 scapegoat. He finished with a quality performance, turning in 6 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 blocks. Weighing in at nearly 230 pounds, Rotroff has a frame that will continue to add strength as he fills out. Expect his this summer as he tours with Ohio Basketball Club’s 17U squad.

Jayvon Graves (STVM) 2017 

Last second heroics have come routine for the Buffalo commit. His desperation three against state ranked Jackson back in February sent social media in a frenzy, so it was no surprise that the ball found its way into his hands on Thursday when the clock was winding down. Graves’ last second teardrop catapulted the Irish to their second consecutive Division 2 Championship appearance. He finished the game with a double-double of 22 points, 10 rebounds, and a few prime clips for his weekly highlight reel.

Torrey Patton (Trotwood Madison) 2017

Patton’s 34 point, 11 rebound outing was enough to set the OHSAA record for points in a Division 2 semi-final contest. He scored efficiently at all three levels, finding the gaps in the Irish zone and converting a number of crafty finishes at the rim. At 6’4 and possessing a solid frame, Patton understands how to shield defenders at the rim and finish through contact despite possessing elite lift. He undoubtedly had the best individual performance of the day and is likely to see a flow of Division 1 interest moving forward as coaches hang around to see if the scoring wing is able to be a late qualifier.

Justin Motley (Lutheran East) 2017

Motley didn’t attempt a field goal on Thursday night but he knew he had one job entering the game: contain Delphos St. John center and Marietta College commit Timothy Kreeger. Motley, a 6’7 transfer from Cleveland Glenville, is nearing the end of his first full year on the varsity level and he has truly matured from just a few short months ago. Motley defended Kreeger for the duration of the game and limited the Blue Jays leading scorer to just two points without committing a single foul. Using his length and placing an emphasis on verticality, Motley was the anchor for a tenacious Falcons defense.

Jordan Burge (Lutheran East) 2018

Similar to Motley, junior Jordan Burge has made the most of his time at Lutheran East. The 6’3 junior entered the postseason as Coach Anthony Jones’ leading scorer at 18.3ppg and pulling down 6.3 rebounds a night. A mismatch waiting to happen for opposing guards, Burge is a physical guard that has developed a knack for overpowering smaller defenders and drawing contact at the rim. His aggression on the offensive end of the floor has allowed him to gain more confidence on the floor and as a result, has translated to the defensive side of the ball as well. He isn’t the quickest side to side but he used his broad shoulders and above average length to frustrate the guards of Delphos St. John, particularly in the second half.

Solomon Pierre-Louis (Wellington) 2018

The 6’3 wing guard has a smooth all-around game with the rock in his hands. A slippery finisher in transition, Pierre-Louis is an evasive guard in the open floor and uses his length to his advantage. He led all scorers at the half with 9 and was able to rattle off some key buckets in the third to keep the lead just out of reach for Lima Perry.