The evolution of the Northridge High School boys basketball team continues as the postseason approaches.

The Vikings had won six of eight games before playing Johnstown-Monroe on Feb. 17 in the MBC and regular-season finale.

Northridge improved to 9-10 overall with victories over Utica (45-44 on Feb. 10) and Danville (68-49 on Feb. 14).

Hayden Warner hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to beat Utica, which is coach John Wheeler’s alma mater. The basket accounted for Warner’s only points of the game.

“That was really a good win for our group,” Wheeler said. “Utica has been a second-place team all season in the MBC. To be able to compete with and beat a team of their caliber shows the toughness of our players.”

Connor Burke scored 22 points and David Pribonic added 14 against Utica.

Against Danville, Burke scored 21 points, Warner had 14 and Hank Biehl and Matt Grindle added 10 apiece.

Before the league finales Feb. 17, Loudonville (12-1) had clinched the MBC title with Johnstown and Fredericktown tied for second (9-4). Utica (8-5) was fourth followed by Northridge (6-7), Centerburg and Danville (both 4-9) and East Knox (0-13).

The Vikings open the Division III district tournament at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, against Ready at Central Crossing. The teams did not play this season.

The Silver Knights were 7-12 overall before playing Hartley on Feb. 17.

“Ready is a fundamentally good program with a lot of history,” Wheeler said. “(The Silver Knights) will be a difficult opponent, but we’ll have to rise to the challenge.”

The winner plays third-seeded Mount Gilead in the second round at 6 p.m. Feb. 29 at Central Crossing. The Indians have a first-round bye.

•The boys swimming team received the 30th and final qualifying spot in the 400-yard freestyle relay for the Division II district meet Feb. 17 at Ohio State.

Freshmen Jasen Dean, Steven Wickham and Mat Scott along with sophomore Brandon Eckstein finished in 4 minutes, 49.95 seconds in the sectional Feb. 11 at Columbus Academy to advance. Warsaw River View was the district’s top seed (3:28.34).

“I can't begin to tell you how excited my swimmers are,” coach Catherine Carney said. “On paper it didn't look like they had a chance, but they swam their best races of the season. All of their hard work this season has paid off with the chance to compete (in the next round).”

The top two individuals and relays in each district event automatically advanced to the state meet Wednesday, Feb. 22, through Friday, Feb. 24, at Branin Natatorium in Canton. Sixteen at-large state berths were awarded in each event based on times from all the district meets.

The Vikings finished 16th (18) in the 22-team sectional at Academy behind champion Granville (252).

•The wrestling team competed Feb. 17 and 18 in a Division III sectional tournament at Cardington. The top four in each weight class advanced to the district tournament Friday, Feb. 24, and Saturday, Feb. 25, at Heath.

The top four in each weight class at district qualify for state March 1-3 at Ohio State.

“We have some guys injured, but the guys we have will do OK,” coach Eric Potts said.

Leading the way for the Vikings are juniors Anthoney Verhovec (heavyweight) and Thomas Williams (145), both district qualifiers last season.

On Feb. 11 in the MBC meet at home, Verhovec, Williams and sophomore Jacob Burke (170) won championships.

Drew Mullen (132) was second with Jon Barber (220), Zach Rudy (160) and Jake Adkins (106) finishing third. Parker Fox (138) was fourth and Wade Stischok (152) placed fifth.

Northridge finished third (259) behind Loudonville (333), which won its sixth title in seven seasons, and Utica (284). Centerburg (243) was fourth followed by Fredericktown (236), East Knox (111), Danville (98) and Johnstown (91).

•The girls basketball team is 6-14 overall and opens the Division III district tournament against Marion Elgin at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at Worthington Christian Middle School.

Both Northridge and Elgin had first-round byes and did not play each other this season.

The Comets finished the regular season at 9-11.

The winner plays fourth-seeded Cardington, Centerburg or Fairbanks in a district semifinal at 6 p.m. Feb. 28 at Worthington Christian Middle School. The district final is 1 p.m. March 3 at the same site. Possible opponents include second-seeded North Union, third-seeded Liberty Union and sixth-seeded Fredericktown.

On Feb. 11, the Vikings closed the regular season with an 82-58 loss to Johnstown. Sara Pribonic had 19 points and Sierra Fronk and Madison Hess each scored nine points.

Northridge finished eighth (2-12) in the MBC behind champion Centerburg (12-2), Johnstown and Utica (11-3), Fredericktown (7-7), East Knox (5-9) and Danville and Loudonville (both 4-10).