(1-7-25) In an email reply to SSN on the issues of the MaxPreps rating system that is presently in place.

Received on 1-6-25—

Dave,

I apologize for not responding back sooner.  As the Executive Director of the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association we were asked three years ago to have the Northwest District experiment with the use of Martin’s RPI for the seeding of our tournament brackets.  I also believe that many of the other districts used the RPI to help them with how they seeded teams for their tournaments. 

After an overwhelming positive response by coaches in the Northwest District to using Martin’s RPI for seeding it was decided by the Ohio HIgh School Basketball Coaches Association to go to the use of RPI for the seeding of teams for the 2023-2024 girls’ and boys’ basketball tournaments. 

We were informed by the OHSAA in the spring of 2023 that we would be using Max Preps for the RPI instead of Martin’s. 

So, the first year with the help of Max Preps we developed the formula that we used for the 2023-2024 season.  At the conclusion of the 2024 season at our OHSBCA meeting prior to the boys’ state tournament the RPI was a topic of discussion.  It was decided that we would take a look at the percentages for each of the three categories, adding a component for school size, and also adding a component for out-of-state opponents.  We said that we would look at the various options and then make the decision at our next OHSBCA meeting with all our district directors in October. 

After taking a look at other states’ RPI formulas, having a discussion with Max Preps, and having a survey provided to coaches thru their district director we decided on the formula for this year’s RPI at our October meeting.  

I think that anytime a change is implemented in a sport that there are always going to be issues that come up and that everyone is not going to agree completely. 

Our executive committee and our district directors work to do what we think is best for basketball in the state of Ohio and over the years we have had a great working relationship with the Ohio High School Athletic Association. 

At the end of this season we will again take a look at the Max Preps RPI and look to discuss and address any concerns that come up.  If we deem it necessary we will make any changes that the majority of our coaches would feel that we need to make.

Please feel free to contact me with any other concerns or questions.

Sincerely,

Joe Balogh

OHSBCA Executive Director

A look at the recent D VII RPI from Martin