MANSFIELD — Jared Jakubick walked across the floor at Willard’s Robert L. Haas Gymnasium, a look of satisfaction etched on his face.
St. Peter’s had just withstood one haymaker after another in an 81-71 win over Lucas in the district semifinals and Jakubick couldn’t have been any more relieved.
“This never gets old,” the senior guard said.
The reigning Division IV Ohio Player of the Year, Jakubick was most pleased for his teammates. All five starters scored in double figures as St. Peter’s advanced to the district championship game for a third straight year.
The Spartans (26-0) won their third consecutive district title a few days later, knocking off Colonel Crawford 54-49 in Willard. St Peter’s will play in the Division IV regional semifinals against East Canton at the Canton Fieldhouse on Tuesday.
“We had some other kids step up, which is what they are capable of,” Jakubick said after the district semifinal victory. “They sacrifice a lot for our team. I’m proud of them.”
The Spartans won a Division IV Associated Press poll championship with Jakubick and fellow senior Elijah Cobb rightfully garnering most of the attention. If St. Peter’s is to make some noise in the regional, however, it will be up to role players like Jonah Ramey, Caleb Stewart and Luke Henrich.
Jakubick’s father, St. Peter’s coach Joe Jakubick, thinks they are up to the task.
“I’ve said this all year. Caleb and Luke are tremendous shooters,” Joe Jakubick said. “They’re not going to make a move or pull up in your face or break you down, but they are very good shooters if you let them get their feet set.
“Ramey plays great defense. He alters shots and he rebounds.”
East Canton (19-7) punched its ticket to the regional with a 53-48 win over Western Reserve in the Struthers district final. The Hornets, who were seeded seventh in the 13-team Struthers district field, upset the No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 teams to reach the regional for the first time since 2010.
While the Spartans are the prohibitive favorite in Tuesday’s semifinal game, Joe Jakubick isn’t taking anything for granted.
“There are only 64 teams (regardless of division) in the state of Ohio still playing and we are one of them,” he said. “I feel blessed for that to be the case.”
