Sam Houseworth writes for SBLive, High School FN

Thanks to Sam for allowing the article below to appear on SSN

(2-29-24) Sam Houseworth’s look at Ohio High School Boys Basketball State Tournament… in all four divisions.

Region 1 (Akron/Toledo)

The northernmost region of the D-I tournament will be the most intriguing. Findlay and Whitmer were in a class of their own in the NLL. Out east, Garfield Heights steamrolled through the competition while Brecksville played some high-level basketball late in the season. Any of those four squads could punch their ticket to Dayton.

Region 2 (Kent)

St. Ignatius ended the season as the top ranked team in the SBLive Ohio Power 25 and for good reason. The Wildcats had the best regular season in program history, finishing 19-3. The hold wins over their biggest competition in Region 2: Brunswick, Louisville, and St. Edward. Region 2 is deep, but it’s St. Ignatius’s to lose.

Region 3 (Columbus)

Probably the deepest region in D-I, the Columbus area features a ton of talented teams who could make a deep run in the postseason. OCC Central champion Olentangy Orange (22-1) is a slight favorite, but Hilliard Bradley and Delaware Hayes are in that mix as well.

 
Region 4 (Cincinnati)

The Cincinnati region is Moeller’s to lose. The Crusaders finished the season ranked 5th in the SBLive Ohio Power 25 while only Centerville appeared throughout the season. They will be on a collision course in the regional final, but it’s difficult to see anybody upsetting that apple cart in the meantime.

 
Division I

Joining St. Ignatius and Moeller as the near locks should be Olentangy Orange and Garfield Heights. But there are no guarantees, especially in the Akron/Toledo region. At the end of the day, it’s difficult to see anybody upsetting St. Ignatius. They haven’t lost an in-state game since mid-December, holding wins over St. Edward, Centerville, and both Lutherans. This state tournament is the Wildcats’ to lose.

Region 5 (Canton)

Don’t let Buchtel’s 12-8 record fool you; this is one of the best teams in D-II. The Griffins had one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the state, held down only by the 10 games they were forced to play in the Akron City League. Ursuline is the favorite, but don’t be shocked when they have to go through Buchtel to get to Dayton.

Region 6 (Bowling Green)

The deepest region in D-II is also the toughest. Northwest Ohio possesses some of the most underappreciated teams in the state like Shelby, Lexington, and Toledo Central Catholic. But to make matters worse, the best D-II team from the northeast travels west for the regional. Lutheran West out of Rocky River isn’t unbeatable, but they are damn near close.

Region 7 (Athens)

The central and southeast present the most wide-open region in D-II. Warren (19-3), 14 miles outside of Parkersburg, W.Va., is a slight favorite to make it to Dayton. Bishop Hartley, Marietta, Maysville, and Tri-Valley are all contenders in this vast region.

Region 8 (Vandalia)

Back in January, Kettering Alter looked like a lock to win the Southeast Ohio region. However, the Knights finished the season 5-6, after a 10-1 start. They can still turn things around in the postseason, but today, Trotwood-Madison looks like the team to beat, if they can get by the Cincinnati public district winner, likely Woodward or Wyoming.

Division II

The Bowling Green region possesses the two best D-II teams in the state in Lutheran West and Shelby. It’s a great disservice that the de facto state championship won’t be played in Dayton. Ursuline could give the winner a run in the state final, but don’t bet the farm on it.

Region 9 (Canton)

Lutheran East is coming out of Canton. Cardinal Mooney may look competitive against the Falcons, but nobody else will. Teams like Canton Central Catholic, Triway, Trinity, and Fairview are playing for district titles, which is a great prize. But nobody in this region is getting past Lutheran East.

Region 10 (Bowling Green)

One could make the same argument about Colin White and Ottawa-Glandorf in this region. However, there is the issue of Toledo Emmanuel Christian. To make matters more challenging, O-G is stuck in the toughest district in D-III with Spencerville, Coldwater, and Wayne Trace. The Titans are the favorite, don’t get me wrong. But it won’t be a cake walk.

Region 11 (Athens)

Harvest Prep is the only team who could make some noise in Dayton, if they get that far. The Warriors dominated the Mid-State Cardinal division, while holding wins against some bigger schools in Buchtel and Dublin Coffman. Malvern and Minford won’t be pushovers when the Warriors get to regionals though.

Region 12 (Kettering)

To be blunt, there are districts in D-III that will be tougher than the Kettering regional. For as great as basketball is in southeast Ohio, those top schools all find themselves in the other divisions, not D-III. Tri-Village (20-2) will be the favorites and we pray they make it to Dayton. They are the only team in this region who won’t get embarrassed.

Division III

Rinse and repeat. The D-III state championship should be a repeat of 2023 when Lutheran East defeated Ottawa-Glandorf. If O-G does get upset along the way in regionals or districts, replace the Titans with that team. O-G has played to their competition all season long, which will be good news for Titans faithful when they face the favored Falcons in Dayton.

Region 13 (Canton)

This is not the same Richmond Heights team as last season. But don’t let that 12-9 record fool you, that is a result of the toughest schedule in the state, regardless of division. The 6th seeded Spartans will not be challenged until they get to Dayton. 

Region 14 (Bowling Green)

Bowling Green will be host to the most fun regional across all divisions. Toledo Christian will be the favorite, but there are numerous teams who could make a run to Dayton. Lima Central Catholic, Delphos St. John’s, St. Henry, Pandora-Gilboa, and MVCD all have the talent to win this regional. There will be no surprises because nothing should be a surprise.

Region 15 (Athens)

Berlin Hiland is having a down year. But like Gonzaga basketball, a down year still results in a deep run in the postseason. The Columbus area private schools are still as weak as ever, making the path to Dayton one of the easiest in the state. Hiland won’t be challenged until they face South Webster, Fairfield, or Portsmouth Notre Dame in the regional final.

Region 16 (Kettering)

Russia looked like the team that could dethrone Richmond Heights as late as February. However, one blemish in their record and all the doubts start pouring in. Don’t be fooled though, this Raiders team is legit and will coast to the regional final. Their potential date with Troy Christian is must-see TV.

Division IV

Can anybody beat Richmond Heights in Division IV? Yes. The favorite to do so is Russia, without a shadow of a doubt. But even if Russia doesn’t, or gets upset in regionals, there are a handful of candidates who can hang with the Spartans. Troy Christian, Toledo Christian, and LCC can all give them a game. Nonetheless, only a fool would put even money on anybody but Richmond Heights to win D-IV.