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Basketball – Girls

2026 CENTRAL DISTRICT TOURNAMENT INFO - ALL DIVISIONS

Tournament Manager: Tom Stoughton, C: 614-313-5394; Email: [email protected].  Supervises all tournaments and conducts all drawing and seeding meetings.
CDAB Board Member Girls Basketball Liaison: Molly Feesler, Athletic Administrator, Thomas Worthington High School, 300 W. Dublin-Granville Road, Worthington 43085. B: 614-450-6225, Email: [email protected].
 
2026 CDAB Girls Basketball Tournament Forms
Girls Basketball Tournament Team Bench List (.docx) - to be used by ALL TEAMS for Sectional, District, Regional and State tournament games. 
Girls Basketball Tournament Cheerleader List (.docx) - to be used by ALL SCHOOLS with CHEERLEADERS for Sectional, District, Regional and State tournament games.
2025-26 CDAB Tournament Financial Documents
2026 Division I Tournament Information
DIVISION I - PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
Central District Schools: Central Crossing, Delaware Hayes, Dublin Coffman, Dublin Jerome, Gahanna Lincoln, Grove City, Groveport Madison, Hilliard Bradley, Hilliard Darby, Hilliard Davidson, Lancaster, Marysville, New Albany, Newark, Olentangy, Olentangy Berlin, Olentangy Liberty, Olentangy Orange, Pickerington Central, Pickerington North, Reynoldsburg, Thomas Worthington, Upper Arlington, Westerville North, Westerville South, Westland. (26)
 
DIVISION I - TOURNAMENT DATES and SITES
Division I schools will draw into one of six district tournaments (Central 1, Central 2, Central 3, Central 4, Central 5, Central 6). Please check the tournament brackets posted on this page for updates. 
Sectional Tournament Dates: February 21, 2026. Played at the better seeded team at 7:00 p.m.
District Semifinals: February 25, 2026. Played at the better seeded team at 7:00 p.m.
District Finals: February 28, 2026
Ohio Expo Center, 717 East 17th Avenue, Columbus 43211. Kirk Ballinger, Site Manager, P: 740-225-3140, Email: [email protected].
     Central 1 District Final - February 28 at TBA
     Central 2 District Final - February 28 at TBA
     Central 3 District Final - February 28 at TBA
     Central 4 District Final - February 28 at TBA
Ohio Dominican University, Alumni Hall, 1216 Sunbury Road, Columbus 43219. Chris Deibel, P: 614-251-4564, Email: [email protected].
     Central 5 District Final - February 28 at TBA
     Central 6 District Final - February 28 at TBA
Regional Tournament Qualifiers:  The winner of each district tournament will advance to the Regional Tournament.  Regional Tournament sites are subject to change.  Check the tournament brackets for updates.
Region 2 Tournament - March 3 - Ohio Expo Center, Columbus
  6:00 p.m. - Semifinal #1 - Southwest 5 winner (home) vs. Central 5 winner (visitor) 
  8:00 p.m. - Semifinal #2 - Northeast 5 winner (home) vs. Central 6 winner (visitor)
  Final: March 6, 2026 at TBA
Region 3 Tournament - March 4 - Ohio Expo Center, Columbus
  6:00 p.m. - Semifinal #1 - Central 2 winner (home) vs. Central 4 winner (visitor) 
  8:00 p.m. - Semifinal #2 - Central 3 winner (home) vs. Central 1 winner (visitor)
  Final: March 6, 2026 at TBA
2026 Division II Tournament Information
DIVISION II - PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
Central District Schools: Big Walnut, Bishop Watterson, Briggs, Canal Winchester, Dublin Scioto, Franklin Heights, Licking Heights, Mount Vernon, Northland, Teays Valley, Walnut Rudge, Watkins Memorial, Westerville Central, Whetstone, Worthington Kilbourne. (15)
Southeast District Schools: Logan. (1)
 
DIVISION II - TOURNAMENT DATES and SITES
Division II schools will draw into one of three district tournaments (Central 1, Central 2, Central 3). Please check the tournament brackets posted on this page for updates. 
Sectional Tournament: February 19, 2026. Played at the better seeded team at 7:00 p.m.
District Semifinals: February 24, 2026. Played at the better seeded team at 7:00 p.m.
District Finals: February 27 or 28, 2026
Ohio Dominican University, Alumni Hall, 1216 Sunbury Road, Columbus 43219. Chris Deibel, P: 614-251-4564, Email: [email protected].
     Central 1 District Final - February 27 or 28 at TBA
Ohio Expo Center, 717 East 17th Avenue, Columbus 43211. Kirk Ballinger, Site Manager, P: 740-225-3140, Email: [email protected].
     Central 2 District Final - February 27 or 28 at TBA
     Central 3 District Final - February 27 or 28 at TBA
Regional Tournament Qualifiers:  The winner of each district tournament will advance to the Regional Tournament.  Regional Tournament sites are subject to change.  Check the tournament brackets for updates.
Region 7 Tournament - March 3 - Ridegdale High School, Morral
  8:00 p.m. - Semifinal #1 -Central 3 winner (home) vs. Central 2 winner (visitor) 
  6:00 p.m. - Semifinal #2 - Northwest 1 winner (home) vs. Central 1 winner (visitor)
  Final: March 6, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
2026 Division III Tournament Information
DIVISION III - PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
Central District Schools: Beechcroft, Bexley, Bishop Hartley, Bloom-Carroll, Centennial, Granville, Hamilton Township, Independence (Columbus), Jonathan Alder, Linden McKinley, Marion Harding, Mifflin, South (Columbus), St. Francis DeSales (Columbus), West, Whitehall-Yearling. (16)
 
DIVISION III - TOURNAMENT DATES and SITES
Division III schools will draw into one of two district tournaments (Central 1, Central 2). Please check the tournament brackets posted on this page for updates. 
Sectional Tournament: February 17 and 19, 2026. Played at the better seeded team at 7:00 p.m.
District Semifinals: February 23, 2026. Played at the better seeded team at 7:00 p.m.
District Finals: February 26, 2026.
Ohio Dominican University, Alumni Hall, 1216 Sunbury Road, Columbus 43219. Chris Deibel, P: 614-251-4564, Email: [email protected].
     Central 1 District Final - February 26 at TBA
     Central 2 District Final - February 26 at TBA
Regional Tournament Qualifiers:  The winner of each district tournament will advance to the Regional Tournament.  Regional Tournament sites are subject to change.  Check the tournament brackets for updates.
Region 11 Tournament - March 5 - Ohio Dominican University, Columbus
  6:00 p.m. - Semifinal #1 - Northwest 3 winner (home) vs. Southeast 1 winner (visitor) 
  8:00 p.m. - Semifinal #2 - Central 1 winner (home) vs. Central 2 winner (visitor)
  Final: March 7, 2026 at TBA
2026 Division IV Tournament Information
DIVISION IV - PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
Central District Schools: Bishop Ready, Buckeye Valley, Columbus International, East (Columbus), Eastmoor Academy, Highland (Marengo), Horizon Science Academy, KIPP Columbus, Licking Valley, London, Marion-Franklin, River Valley (Caledonia), Worthington Christian. (13)
 
DIVISION IV - TOURNAMENT DATES and SITES
Division IV schools will draw into one of two district tournaments (Central 1, Central 2). Please check the tournament brackets posted on this page for updates. 
Sectional Tournament: February 19, 2026. Played at the better seeded team at 7:00 p.m.
District Semifinals: February 23, 2026. Played at the better seeded team at 7:00 p.m.
District Finals: February 26, 2026
Ohio Expo Center, 717 East 17th Avenue, Columbus 43211. Kirk Ballinger, Site Manager, P: 740-225-3140, Email: [email protected].
     Central 2 District Final - February 26 at TBA
     Central 3 District Final - February 26 at TBA
Regional Tournament Qualifiers:  The winner of each district tournament will advance to the Regional Tournament.  Regional Tournament sites are subject to change.  Check the tournament brackets for updates.
Region 14 Tournament - March 4 or 6 - Bluffton University
  March 4 - 6:00 p.m. - Semifinal #1 - Central 1 winner (home) vs. Northwest 1 winner (visitor) 
  March 6 - 8:00 p.m. - Semifinal #2 - Northwest 2 winner (home) vs. Northeast 5 winner (visitor)
  Final: March 7, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
Region 15 Tournament - March 3 - Zanesville High School
  6:00 p.m. - Semifinal #1 - East 1 winner (home) vs. Central 2 winner (visitor) 
  8:00 p.m. - Semifinal #2 - Southeast 1 winner (home) vs. East 2 winner (visitor)
  Final: March 6, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
2026 Division V Tournament Information
DIVISION V - PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
Central District Schools: Africentric Early College, Amanda-Clearcreek, Centerburg, Columbus Academy, Columbus School for Girls, Fairbanks, Fredericktown, Grove City Christian, Heath, Johnstown, Lakewood (Hebron), Liberty Union, Madison-Plains, North Union, Northmor, Pleasant, Tree of ife Christian, Utica. (18)
 
DIVISION V - TOURNAMENT DATES and SITES
Division V schools will draw into one of two district tournaments (Central 1, Central 2). Please check the tournament brackets posted on this page for updates. 
Sectional Tournament: February 18 and 21, 2026. Played at the better seeded team at 7:00 p.m.
District Semifinals: February 24, 2026. Played at the better seeded team at 7:00 p.m.
District Finals: February 27, 2026.
Mt. Vernon Nazarene University, 800 Martinsburg Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050.  Chip Wilson, Site Manager, P: 740-507-4539, Email:  [email protected].
     Central 1 District Final - February 27 at TBA
     Central 2 District Final - February 27 at TBA
Regional Tournament Qualifiers:  The winner of each district tournament will advance to the Regional Tournament.  Regional Tournament sites are subject to change.  Check the tournament brackets for updates.
Region 18 Tournament - March 4 - Mansfield Senior High School
 6:00 p.m. - Semifinal #1 - Central 2 winner (home) vs. Northwest 2 winner (visitor) 
 8:00 p.m. - Semifinal #2 - Central 1 winner (home) vs. Northwest 1 winner (visitor)
  Final: March 7, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
2026 Division VI Tournament Information
DIVISION VI - PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
Central District Schools: Berne Union, Cardington-Lincoln, East Knox, Elgin, Grandview Heights, Harvest Preparatory, Mechanicsburg, Mount Gilead, Northridge (Johnstown), Wellington School, West Jefferson. (11)
DIVISION VI - TOURNAMENT DATES and SITES
Division VI schools will draw into one district tournament (Central). Please check the tournament brackets posted on this page for updates. 
Sectional Tournament: February 18 and 21, 2026. Played at the better seeded team at 7:00 p.m.
District Semifinals: February 25, 2026.  Played at the better seeded team at 7:00 p.m.
District Finals: February 28, 2026 at TBA
Ohio Expo Center, 717 East 17th Avenue, Columbus 43211. Kirk Ballinger, Site Manager, P: 740-225-3140, Email: [email protected].
Regional Tournament Qualifiers:  The winner will advance to the Regional Tournament.  Regional Tournament sites are subject to change.  Check the tournament brackets for updates.
Region 23 Tournament - March 4 - Pickerington High School North
 8:00 p.m. - Semifinal #1 - Southeast 2 winner (home) vs. Central 1 winner (visitor) 
 6:00 p.m. - Semifinal #2 - East 1 winner (home) vs. Southeast 1 winner (visitor)
  Final: March 6, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
2026 Division VII Tournament Information
DIVISION VII - PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
Central District Schools: Danville, Delaware Christian, Fairfield Christian, Fisher Catholic, Genoa Christian, Granville Christian, Liberty Christian, Madison Christian, Millersport, Newark Catholic, Northside Christian, Patriot Preparatory, Ridgedale, Shekinah Christian. (14)
DIVISION VII - TOURNAMENT DATES and SITES
Division VII schools will draw into one of two district tournaments (Central 1, Central 2). Please check the tournament brackets posted on this page for updates. 
Sectional Tournament: February 21, 2026.  Played at the better seeded team at 7:00 p.m.
District Semifinals: February 25, 2026.  Played at the better seeded team at 7:00 p.m.
District Finals: February 28, 2026
Mt. Vernon Nazarene University, 800 Martinsburg Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050.  Chip Wilson, Site Manager, P: 740-507-4539, Email:  [email protected]. 
     Central 1 District Final - February 28 at TBA
     Central 2 District Final - February 28 at TBA
Regional Tournament Qualifiers:  The winner will advance to the Regional Tournament.  Regional Tournament sites are subject to change.  Check the tournament brackets for updates.
Region 27 Tournament - March 5 - Logan High School
 6:00 p.m. - Semifinal #1 - Southeast 1 winner (home) vs. Southeast 2 winner (visitor) 
 8:00 p.m. - Semifinal #2 - East 1 winner (home) vs. Central 1 winner (visitor)
  Final: March 7, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
Region 28 Tournament - March 4 - Butler High School
 Time TBA - Semifinal #1 - Southwest 3 winner (home) vs. Central 2 winner (visitor) 
 Time TBA - Semifinal #2 - Southwest 1 winner (home) vs. Southwest 2 winner (visitor)
  Final: March 7, 2026 at TBA
2026 CENTRAL DISTRICT GIRLS BASKETBALL
TOURNAMENT SEEDING
Seeding: MaxPrep RPI will be used to determine the seed of each participating school. Coaches are to complete the required information after each regular season game in MaxPreps.  Coaches will not seed other schools, therefore there will be no seed voting by coaches.  However, coaches will continue to select their line on the tournament bracket at the mandatory coaches meeting.
 
Coaches Draw Meeting: A mandatory meeting of coaches will be held virtually using Microsoft Teams. Bob Britton ([email protected]) will email each coach the links to their specific required coaches meetings prior to those meetings.  Coaches are encouraged to print any materials provided in those emails from Bob Britton to expedite the selection process. Coaches do not need a Microsoft Teams account to participate.
Divisions III thru VII - Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
Division I and II - Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
Please adhere to the seeding and meeting deadlines as there are penalties for each missed deadline.
 
 
2026 Central District Tournament Brackets
Division I Division II Division III
Division IV Division V Division VI
  Division VII  

2025 State Champions - Congratulations!

2025 State Champion Pickerington HS Central
Pickerington High School Central
2025 OHSAA Girls Basketball State Champion
Division I

2025 Sectional & District Tournament Brackets

2025 Sectional & District Tournament Evaluations

Coaches use the button above to access the evaluation form. 
Please submit evaluations prior to March 24, 2025.

2024-25 Girls Basketball Calendar

Aug. 1-31
Coaches No Contact Period
Oct. 25
First Day of Coaching
Nov. 22
Season Begins
Nov. 22
Non-Interscholastic Date
Feb. 2
Tournament Draw
Feb. 10-15
Sectional Tournament
Feb. 17-22
District Tournament
Feb. 24 - Mar. 2
Regional Tournament
March 3-9
State Semifinals
March 14-15
State Finals
Coaches' No Contact Period begins on the first day after the last interscholastic contest and ends 28 days later.

Regulations, Policies & Manuals

Tournament Information

Girls Basketball Sports Medicine

Girls Basketball History