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The OHSAA girls basketball tournament draw is in a week with the sectionals beginning in a little over two weeks. But even with the tournament right around the corner, there are several conference titles that will be decided in the coming weeks. This includes the MAC where Marion Local will host St. Henry as the last two undefeateds in the conference take the court on Thursday. It is incredible how balanced the top teams in the state are this year compared to past years.

 

D I

 

A trio of huge wins sees Pickerington Central leapfrog into the top spot in D I. The Tigers opened the win with a 51-43 win over 13-win Westerville South. After a Friday night win over Canal Winchester, Pick Central went down to the wire against Purcell Marian. Dee Alexander gave Purcell Marian the lead with a hoop plus one with 13 seconds left. Excellent passing by the Tigers found Blossom Wallace open underneath for the game-winning lay-up with 3 seconds left. Tigers won, 46-45.

 

D II

 

Olmsted Falls had a busy week with 4 games in 6 nights, improving to 14-4 and climbing to the bronze spot in the D II rankings. After a loss to Mason, the Bulldogs earned wins over North Ridgeville, Elyria, and Erie Cathedral Prep (Pennsylvania.) Olmsted Falls controls their own destiny in the Southwestern Conference, with Avon later this week and wrapping up conference play with Avon Lake, who is one game back.

 

D III

 

Despite the loss, Purcell Marian holds the top spot in D III thanks to the challenging strength of schedule in the state. After the Cavaliers, it’s a hodgepodge for the silver medal in D III. Marietta remains undefeated while northeast Ohio teams Brush and Hoban climb up the rankings with big wins over the past week. Even Carroll makes an appearance in the top 10, riding an 8-game winning streak.

 

D IV

 

Bellevue kept their stranglehold on their #1 ranking with a 46-17 win over previously undefeated Strasburg-Franklin. But the schedule does not get any easier for the Lady Red as they have 16-1 Shelby, 14-4 Margaretta, and 16-1 Norwalk remaining on their schedule. Just outside the top 10 sits Kenton, who is riding an 11-game winning streak. If the Wildcats can earn a road win against Upper Sandusky, they should win out and take that streak all the way to the state tournament.

 

D V

 

Little movement in D V as their top 5 teams hold onto their previous week’s position. Waynesville, with their win over Valley View, and Columbiana Crestview, with their win over Ravenna Southeast, created separation from the new tier of teams. Versailles finds their way into the top 10 after hanging with Convoy Crestview for four quarters in a 54-53 defeat. Now, everybody knows why I call them Convoy Crestview despite being originally from the area that just calls them Crestview.

 

D VI

 

Like one division above, the top 5 all stay the same in D VI. Patrick Henry climbed to just outside the top 5 thanks to a win over 13-win Wauseon on Thursday. Marion Local jumps into the top 10 as they get ready to face St. Henry on Thursday with a clear path to an outright MAC championship on the line. The Flyers host Minster, another team in the D VI top 10, on Saturday.

 

D VII

 

After some hiccups in mid-January, Fort Loramie has regained their footing with 4 straight wins including a 52-42 win over Bellbrook. Waterford will put their silver medal standing to the test tonight when they head to Fort Frye in the best contest in the state. Russia climbs into the top 10 following home wins over Waynesville and Houston.