MASSILLON — Willoughby Cornerstone Christian began Thursday night’s Sweet 16 matchup by canning a 3-point shot, and rolled from there to a 49-32 revenge win over Buckeye Central in the Division IV Massillon Perry regional basketball semifinal.
Three of the four teams in action Thursday night reached this level last year, too. A year ago the Buckettes won the regional and advanced to the Final Four, knocking off Cornerstone Christian 57-53 along the way.
But the Patriots took control of this year’s game from the opening tip. Cornerstone Christian roared on top 16-7 through the first quarter and owned a 28-19 halftime advantage. The spread was 41-25 heading to the final eight minutes and reached 45-25 at one point.
The Buckettes finished a fine season with a 22-4 record.
The Patriots take a 22-4 mark into Saturday night’s 7:30 p.m. regional championship game against Dalton. The Bulldogs (22-5) pounded Berlin Western Reserve 53-32 in the first game of Thursday night’s regional. Last year B.C. eliminated Dalton in the regional final.
