OHSAA Boys Basketball Division VII Regional Semifinal Preview: Fairfield Lions set to face one-loss Shekinah Christian Flames

Gearing up for the boys basketball OHSAA Division VII Regional Semifinals, the Southeast District 2 champion Fairfield Lions will be facing the Central 1 District champion Shekinah Christian Flames on Thursday evening (March 12) at Ohio Dominican University with a trip to the Elite 8 on the line. 

The Lions (18-6) enter the regional semifinal game — with a scheduled tip-off time of 8 p.m. — coming off a 60-51 victory in their district final game against the South Webster Jeeps, winning the program's fifth district championship. 

The 2026 district championship was the Lions’ first since the 2023-24 season and their fifth overall (’78, ’96, ’14, ’23, ’26).

Shekinah Christian (25-1) earned their very first district championship by defeating Westerville Genoa Christian, 46-31. The Flames also have had tournament wins against Fisher Catholic (64-44), Delaware Christian (53-34).and Danville (44-42). 

The Flames began the season with 20 consecutive victories but lost to Westerville Genoa Christian in their 21st game of the season by a 52-34 score in what was their final Mid-Ohio Christian Conference game of the season, as SCHS won their conference with a 13-1 record. 

Coached by Keith Lambert (11th season), Shekinah Christian has had two consecutive seasons of at least 20 wins, as a team preview article before the start of the season on Yappi.com says their offensive style is “motion” and their defensive style is a “Man/Zone Hybrid.”

In their 26 games played, the Flames averaged 59.1 points per game and allowed 37 ppg. 

One of their top players is Camden Miller, who in the district semifinal win scored 18 points, making four 3-pointers in that victory. 

In the Columbus Dispatch, they listed the All-Central District selections, including in Division VII from Shekinah Christian Austin Helmuth (first-team, 6-3, senior, 17.1 ppg), Jayce Yoder (first-team, 6-4, senior, 9.1 ppg), A.J. Yoder (second-team, 6-4, sophomore, 12.1 ppg) and David Miller (honorable mention).  

Shekinah Christian’s roster consists of seniors Jayce Yoder (6-4, Forward), and Austin Helmuth (6-3, Guard); juniors Dakota Hutson (6-2, Forward), Camden Miller (6-1, Guard), David Miller (6-0, Guard) and David Gingerich (5-11, Guard); sophomores A.J. Yoder (6-4, Forward), Evan Sensenig (5-9, Guard); and freshmen Bryce Miller (5-9, Guard), Michael Miller (5-9, Guard), Preston Yoder (5-7, Guard) and Logan Beachy (5-10, Guard). 

For the Lions, they have played in three tournament games with not only the district final win, but they’ve also defeated Federal Hocking (78-51) and South Gallia (55-19). 

Coached by interim head coach Raymond Friend for the past five games, the Lions are 5-0 in that span and are on a winning streak of eight consecutive games, starting back on Feb. 13. 

The Lions are led by a starting lineup that has continued to improve as the season has progressed, with their leading scorer being junior Brody Smith, who is averaging 20.1 ppg, as he was also a first-team All-Southeast District selection this season. Smith is also averaging nearly four rebounds per game. 

Junior Griffin Friend is averaging 16.8 ppg this season, with six rpg and nearly five assists per game, as he was a second-team All-District selection. 

Another junior, Caleb Rice — an honorable mention All-District selection —  has a season average of 8.3 ppg, but was the leading scorer in the district final win over South Webster with 18 points, as he made four 3-pointers and three two-point baskets. 

Senior Quentin McIntosh was described by Coach Friend as the Lions’ leader following the district finals, and his presence in the paint hasn’t gone unnoticed this season with 10 rpg (219-plus rebounds for the season) and he’s averaging 7.1 ppg. 

The defense of senior Zach Ahsaruk has been big for Fairfield this season, especially this postseason, as Coach Friend also spoke well of the senior as he made a timely 3-pointer in the district final game, and he was charged with defending the top player of the Jeeps. 

The regional semifinal game is located at Alumni Hall at Ohio Dominican University, 1216 Sunbury Road, Columbus 43219.