(2-10-25)The regular season is in the books. Now, it’s time for the state playoffs. As with most years (and most sports), we can expect hundreds of one-sided contests in the early rounds. However, like mentioned in previous weeks, the parity at the top is at historic highs. There are some divisions where there is a clear favorite. But those are the exceptions. Most divisions will be competitive at UD Arena, plus several rounds before.

D I

Nothing changed. Absolutely no movement in the D I top ten. Two regions to keep an eye on will be at Fairborn and Fairfield. Springboro and Mason will feed into the former, while Mount Notre Dame and Fairmont will feed into the latter. I would expect the OHSAA will pair those regional champions against each other in the state semifinals as well.

D II

As much as Massillon and Green have looked strong in recent weeks, D II is a two-horse race. Anthony Wayne defeated an 11-win Perrysburg team, 72-33. Winton Woods defeated Little Miami, a team just outside the D II top ten, 70-34. There are no other contenders in D II, as much as we would like there to be.

D III

Marietta continues to dominate good competition, following a double-digit win over Fairland on Saturday. The depth of D III does not stop there. Hoban wrapped up their regular season with a pair of 20-plus point victories over two teams with 15-plus wins, Avon Lake and Wadsworth. Down south, Dayton Carroll earned marquee wins over Tippecanoe and Detroit Country Day (Michigan.)

D IV

Minimal movement in D IV heading into the postseason. Bellevue continues to be the team to beat, though as mentioned last week, the Norwalk regional is loaded and will provide better competition than the D IV state championship game. Fairfield Union, Laurel, and Kettering Alter have a chance to make some noise in the postseason.

D V

In the final week before the postseason, Portsmouth leaps into the top spot, edging out a battle-tested Fairland team. As mentioned many times, between these two squads and undefeated Ottawa-Glandorf, it’s a three-team race for the D V state championship this year. 

D VI

Patrick Henry earned a 62-44 win over 18-win Delta on Thursday. The win lifted the Patriots to the top four in D VI heading into the postseason. Another team moving up the rankings is Marion Local, who have posted wins over Minster, Russia, and Fort Loramie in the month of February. Despite how great the competition is in western Ohio, Fort Frye, Rootstown, and Federal Hocking are all threats coming from the eastern half of the state.

D VII

Despite a loss to Marion Local, Fort Loramie holds onto the top spot in D VII with Ottoville breathing down their neck. The Big Green wrapped up the regular season with wins over 16-win Paulding and Blanchard Valley champions Liberty-Benton. Strasburg-Franklin threw their hats into the ring with a 48-38 win over Hiland to end the season.