Boys’ Basketball Loses at Whitmer in Regular-Season Finale, 57-52

The Central Catholic boys’ basketball team dropped a 57-52 decision against Whitmer in its regular-season finale on Friday in the Whitmer Fieldhouse. With the loss, CCHS falls to 17-5 overall, 9-5 in the Three Rivers Athletic Conference.

The host Panthers (16-4, 11-3 TRAC) outscored the Scarlet & Gray 20-8 in the pivotal third quarter to assume a lead against the Fighting Irish they would not give up.

Junior Chico Johnson paced CCHS with 18 points, followed by freshman Mekhi Leach with 13 points off the bench.

Antoine West led Whitmer with a game-high 21 points, while Tony Fisher had 17 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

Earlier in the evening, the CCHS freshman team suffered a 45-43 setback vs. the Panthers, while the junior varsity also lost 57-53.

Central Catholic will now shift its focus to the postseason, as it will be the No. 1 seed in the Division II sectional tourney draw in the Millbury District for the upcoming Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) State Tournament. The Fighting Irish will play the winner of Fostoria-Scott on Friday, Feb. 25 at 7:30 pm at Bowsher High School.