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By Eric Frantz, MaxPreps.com

 

The Eagles are in the state tournament for the 13th time and first since 2022. St. Edward won Division I state titles in 2014 (beat Upper Arlington 62-58 OT) and 1998 (beat Cleveland St. Ignatius) and was runner-up in 2008 (lost 65-52 to Newark). The Eagles first trip to state was 1996. St. Edward is ranked No. 6 in the state (regardless of Division) in this week’s MaxPreps Computer Rankings and No. 4 in D-I. The Eagles opened a 12-point lead on Elyria in the regional final before outlasting the Panthers 53-50. Senior guard J.T. Kelsheimer and senior forward Zymir Knox had 12 points each against Elyria, while 6-7 junior forward Ian Murray (6.0 points, 3.8 rebounds) had 10, including the game-winning bucket. Senior Bryan Vlosich (19.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.7 steals) is the Northeast Lakes District Player of the Year, while Kelsheimer (11.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.9 steals) and Knox (12.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists) are first and second team selections, respectively. Vlosich, a three-year letterwinner, is the school’s all-time leader in made 3-pointers. Head coach Eric Flannery captured his 500th career win with the Eagles in a 65-52 district final victory over Medina. Flannery (576-172 overall in 30 years) is the second St. Edward coach to eclipse 500 wins (and the first in basketball) joining famed hockey mentor Bob Whidden. Flannery, who has coached the Eagles to 12 of their 13 state tournaments, took over at SEHS before the 1996-1997 season. St. Edward dropped its last two regular season games at Toledo St. John’s Jesuit (68-57) and versus SPIRE Academy (66-62 OT). The Eagles own wins over D-V semifinalist Lutheran East (62-58) and D-IV semifinalist Glenville (70-64). St. Edward averages 75.5 points and allows 57.7.

 

The Vikings, ranked No. 2 in Ohio (regardless of Division) and No. 2 in D-I in this week’s MaxPreps Computer Rankings, are looking for their first state title in their third trip to the state tournament. Princeton was D-I state runner-up in 2009 (lost 60-58 to Columbus Northland) and Class AAA state runner-up in 1972 (lost 78-67 to Cleveland East Tech). The Vikings have won eight straight since losing 52-49 at Oak Hills on Feb. 13. In the regional final, Princeton throttled that same Oak Hills squad 49-22. That’s part of a four-game postseason run in which the Vikings have outscored their opponents 254-136 (average of 64-34). Princeton forced 18 turnovers in the regional final. The Greater Miami Conference runner-up, behind nationally-ranked Lakota West, Princeton is led by junior guard Amire Gill (17.7 points, 4.8 rebounds) and senior guard Rognny Santiago (13.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists). Both have been named first team All-GMC and All-Southwest District. Santiago is committed to the University of Findlay. Sophomore guard Kam Mercer (14.4 points, 5.6 rebounds 3.2 assists) is second team All-GMC and Southwest District. Junior guard Amir Philips (9.7 points, 4.1 rebounds) and senior guard Jordan Johnson (8.5 points, 4.7 assists) are both second team All-GMC selections. Princeton capped the regular season with a 65-61 statement win at D-II semifinalist Lima Senior. The Vikings also own a February win (73-58) over D-III semifinalist Trotwood-Madison. Head coach Bryan Wyant (99-42 in six years) is one win away from No. 100. Princeton averages 62.6 points and allows 46.1.

 

The Jaguars have reached the state tournament for the first time since the school opened in 2009. They are just the second team from Hilliard to make the Final Four, joining Hilliard Davidson, which reached the 2000 D-I state semifinals. Bradley is ranked No. 4 in the state (regardless of Division) in this week’s MaxPreps Computer Rankings and No. 3 in D-I. The Jaguars have been close to a state berth before. Bradley was regional runner-up in 2018 and the 2020 team advanced to the regional final before the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the cancellation of the remainder of the tournament. The 2020 team was in the locker room for the regional final, which resulted in a 57-46 win over Newark. Sophomore guard Kypton Norris, the youngest of head coach Brett Norris’ four boys (the other three have played NCAA Division I basketball), had 25 points and six rebounds against Newark, while junior guard Ben Mirgon added 15 points as Bradley drained 22-of-26 free throws. Norris (17.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists), Mirgon (16 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists) and sophomore forward Jayden Reed-Davis (11.7 points, 4.8 rebounds) are All-Central District selections. Defense is a strength, as four players rank among the top five in program history for steals in a single season with 35 or more. Bradley survived a scare from Olentangy (won 50-48) in the regional semifinal after beating Grove City (52-47) in the district final. The Jaguars dropped the season opener 46-42 to Cincinnati LaSalle. Since then, they’ve won 24-of-25, including 15 in a row, with the lone loss a 66-47 setback at 2025 D-I state champion Olentangy Orange. Bradley averages 58 points and allows 43.9. Brett Norris is 236-61 in 12 years.

 

Despite a third-place finish in the OCC Buckeye Division (behind Newark and Reynoldsburg), the Tigers have reached their third state tournament in five years, fifth in 10 and sixth overall. Pickerington Central was D-I state champion in 2022 (beat Centerville 55-48) and 2012 (beat Toledo Whitmer 45-40) and runner-up in 2023 (lost 53-47 to Akron Archbishop Hoban). The Tigers recorded a monumental victory in the regional final with a 69-60 win over Lakota West, which was ranked 14th nationally by MaxPreps.com. Lakota West’s only loss prior had been a 72-71 setback to LaLumiere (La Porte, Ind.) at February’s Flyin to the Hoop. Senior guard Aaven Snyder had 21 points in the regional final, while junior guards Landon Evans and Albee Moore added 13 and 11, respectively. All three are All-Central District selections. Evans, already a 1,000-point scorer, averages 19 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals. Head coach Eric Krueger (245-82 in 12 years) has led the program to five of its six state berths. Pick Central is ranked No. 19 in the state (regardless of Division) in this week’s MaxPreps Computer Rankings and No. 9 in D-I. The Tigers average 63 points and allows 47. Four of Pickerington Central’s losses came to Newark and Reynoldsburg. The other four were against Westerville North (D-II state semifinalist), Toledo Central Catholic (D-III state semifinalist), Youngstown Ursuline and Harvest Prep.

 

 

By Eric Frantz, MaxPreps.com

 

Despite graduating three starters (including two OPSMA All-Ohio players) and four of their top seven players from last year’s state championship team (beat Massillon Perry 78-46), head coach Shan Trusley (209-107 in 13 years) and the Warriors return to the state tournament riding a 20-game win streak and 49-1 record in their last 50 games. Westerville North, ranked 7th in Ohio (regardless of Division) in the MaxPreps Computer Rankings and No. 1 in Division II, hasn’t lost since before Christmas, when it dropped a 51-49 decision to three-time defending state champion Lutheran East on Dec. 21. The Warriors are looking for their third state title in six trips. Westerville Central’s first state title came in 1994 (beat Cincinnati Withrow 50-48 OT). That was part of a stretch of three straight state tournament appearances (1994-1996). The Warriors resume includes quality wins over Pickerington Central (D-I semifinalist), Lima Senior (D-II semifinalist), Dayton Northridge (D-III regional finalist), Cincinnati Aiken (defending D-II runner-up), Cleveland St. Ignatius and Olentangy Orange (defending D-I champion). The Warriors beat New Albany 58-50 in the regional final thanks in part toa 26-point performance from senior guard Elijah McCree. The Central District Player of the Year, McCree averages 20.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.7 steals while shooting 46% from the field and 41% from 3-point. Junior forward Tony Cornett (16.7 points, 5.5 rebounds), junior guard Tyson Perkins (11 points, 5.8 assists, 3.9 rebounds), junior Damion King (8.7 points, 5.8 rebounds) and senior wing Jacob Medhane (8.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists) round out the starting five. Westerville North averages 76.6 points and allows 52. The Warriors have scored 91 points twice in the tournament.

 

After earning the program’s first state tournament berth last season, the Bears earned a return ticket with a 40-38 win over Brecksville-Broadview Heights in the regional final. North Royalton limited Brecksville to four fourth quarter points en route to avenging two regular season losses to the Bees. Junior guard Lincoln Lee’s steal of an inbounds pass with five seconds left sealed the victory. All five of North Royalton’s starters – senior guard Sean Bunsey (honorable mention), senior guard Antonio Escano (second team, 16.4 points), Lee (third team, 13.2 points), junior forward Nolan Klingbeil (honorable mention) and senior guard Omar Klingbeil (honorable mention) – earned All-Northeast Inland District honors. Head coach Nick Lapsevich is 136-57 in eight years at the school. North Royalton, which finished runner-up in the Suburban League National Conference, averages 72 points and allows 57. The Bears are ranked 20th in Ohio (regardless of Division) by MaxPreps and No. 6 in Division II.

 

The Spartans avenged last year’s regional semifinal loss to Winton Woods with a 62-58 victory over the Warriors in a regional final at sold-out Springfield High School to earn their first state tournament berth since 2016. Lima Senior has been to the state tournament six times and finished D-I runner-up in 2016 (lost 57-55 to Westerville South) and 1992 (lost 88-86 in OT to West Chester Lakota). Junior guard Shawn Foster (offers from Ohio State, Cincinnati, Dayton and more) had 25 points in the regional final, while junior guard Noah Simpson (13.6 points) scored 12 and senior guard Amari Addy (10.5 points) added 10. Foster (21.1 points, 5.9 rebounds) teams with his brother – senior forward Willie Foster (Northwest District and Toledo City Athletic League Player of the Year) – to form an impressive tandem. Willie Foster (14.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists) has signed with Northern Kentucky. The Spartans, ranked 10th in Ohio (regardless of Division) by MaxPreps and No. 3 in Division II, average 81 points and allow 49. The resume is legit. Lima Senior owns wins over Cincinnati Aiken (2025 D-II runner-up), Toledo Central Catholic (D-III semifinalist), Mansfield Senior (D-III regional finalist) and Trotwood-Madison (D-III semifinalist). Their losses have come against then-nationally-ranked Lakota West (68-66), fellow D-II semifinalist Westerville North (69-66), D-I semifinalist Princeton (65-61) and Michigan regional finalist East Kentwood (60-56). Head coach Qunicy Simpson is 243-65 in 12 years.

 

The Tigers, searching for their first basketball state title, are in the state tournament for the seventh time overall and first since 1945. Massillon, led by then-head coach Paul Brown, finished Class A state runner-up in 1937 (lost 37-32 to Hamilton). This is the program's most single-season wins since the 1930s. Alum and head coach Josh Hose (233-131 overall) has the Tigers, ranked ninth in Ohio (regardless of Division) by MaxPreps and No. 2 in Division II, riding a 22-game win streak. Their last loss – a 74-71 defeat to North Canton Hoover – came the day before Christmas Eve. An offensive onslaught that averages 81 points per game is Massillon’s strength. Junior guard Xavier Williams (16 points, 4.4 rebounds) and junior guard Brandon Gamble (13.8 points, 6.3 assists, 5.8 rebounds) are first team All-Northeast Inland District performers, while junior forward Gio Jackson Jr. (15.9 points) and senior guard Jadyce Thigpen (15.7 points) were selected second team. Senior guard Isaiah Lamp (8.8 points) was named honorable mention. Gamble is a standout safety in football. Massillon is coming off its first district title in 23 years and has produced 44 wins over the last two seasons. The Tigers allow 64 points per game.

 

 

By Jarrod Ulrey, CbusSports.com

 

The Knights are 20-7 and back at state for the fourth time in program history, with the last time occurring in 2023 when they won their second state title. They were regional runners-up a year ago. TK Griffith, who is 546-228 in 33 seasons as coach, played for Hoban’s first state championship team in 1989 and coached the program to a state semifinal berth in 1998 as well. The Knights have been led this winter by 6-4 junior guard John Johnson, a first-team all-district honoree who averages 15.8 points, 48.8 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. Junior Owen Hamilton (11.4 ppg), and junior twin brothers Arri Caporaletti (10.4 ppg) and Nico Caporaletti (8.7 ppg) also are key players. Brady Lucey is the only senior.

 

The Big Red have gone 266-153 in 18 seasons under coach Mike Haney, but this is their first appearance at the state tournament since making their only appearance in 1952 when they were runners-up. Steubenville is 25-1 and has won 18 consecutive games. The breakthrough season by the Big Red has been led by junior Santino Haney, the coach’s son, who averages 22.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists and was the East District’s Player of the Year. Senior Cole Bowers, the team’s tallest starter at 6-3, averages 14 points and 4.3 rebounds and also was first-team all-district. Seniors Tre’Von Wiggins (12.5 ppg) and Jermaine Moore (11.3 ppg) and sophomore Landon Bowers (8.7 ppg), who is Cole Bowers’ brother, also are among the key players.

 

The Irish are seeking their first title in what will be their sixth state tournament appearance, with the most recent coming in 2011. They were runners-up in 1942 and 1949. In its eighth season under coach Mike Floyd, Central Catholic is 23-3 and on a nine-game winning streak. Manny Johnson, a 6-3 senior who averages 14.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, was the Northwest District co-Player of the Year. Junior Cayden Kynard, who averages 15.5 points, 4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists, was second-team all-district. Senior Draden Wardrop averages 11.1 ppg and senior Kaeden Carruthers, the team’s tallest key player at 6-7, averages 9.2 points and 7.9 rebounds. Junior Jason Lawson rounds out the starting lineup.

 

It’s the sixth state tournament appearance for the Rams, who are 21-4 and last made state in 2019 when they won their only championship. Carl Blanton Sr. is in his second season as coach for Trotwood-Madison, which was a regional runner-up in his first season. Je’Carious Reaves is a 6-foot senior who averages 18.8 points and 3.4 assists and was first-team all-Southwest District. Senior Daveon Arnold, who averages 13.2 points, was second-team all-district, and junior Darius Dennis also averages 13.2 points along with 5.4 rebounds. The Rams’ tallest starter is Justyce Taylor, a 6-5 senior who averages 9.1 points and 6.6 rebounds. Senior Chase Shumate is the other starter. 

 

By Jarrod Ulrey, CbusSports.com

 

After losing in a state semifinal a year ago in its first state tournament appearance, Glenville is looking for a longer run under second-year coach Bryon Ottrix. The Tarblooders lost their final three of the regular season but hit their stride during the postseason, winning their last five to take an 18-9 record into state. The Northeast Lakes District Player of the Year was Glenville senior Theo Castro, who averages 17.3 points, 5.1 assists and 2.1 steals. Senior Arvell Nelson Jr. averages 13.4 points and three rebounds. Junior Gio Ramos, the team’s tallest starter at 6-5, averages 9.4 points and 8.4 rebounds, while sophomores Davon Moore Jr. (6.6 ppg) and Lorenzo Smith (5.6 ppg, 4.8 rebounds) are other starters.

 

The Panthers were state runner-up in 2024 before winning it all and claiming the Division IV state championship in 2025. Dave Brown is 152-68 in nine seasons as coach for Maysville, which hasn’t lost since its opener and is 26-1. The Panthers are led by guard Gator Nichols, one of five senior starters who averages 24.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, and shoots 41 percent from 3-point range. Nichols was the East District Player of the Year for the second consecutive season and was joined on the all-district first team by Jordyn Watson (14.4 ppg, 7.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists). Kane Roehrig (13.3 ppg, 5.3 rebounds), Landon Iden (11.2 ppg), and Kade Rock (4.8 rebounds) are other starters. 

 

In its first season under coach Andy Hoying, the Pirates are heading to state for the first time. Perkins is 25-2 and has a balanced lineup led by senior forward Kellen Glass, who averages 13.5 points and 6.1 rebounds and was first-team all-Northwest District. Senior Sam Schweinfurth averages 10.6 points and 6.1 rebounds and senior Levi Groot averages 10.7 points and 4.7 rebounds. Other key players for the Pirates include senior guard Kash Koch and junior guard Bryce Davie, starters who each average six points, and junior guard Grant Kuhnle, who averages 7.5 points off the bench.

 

After having an 83-year drought of making the state tournament end a year ago, the Cowboys are back at state for the second consecutive season and fourth time overall. Wyoming has gone 181-46 in 13 seasons under coach Matt Rooks, whose team is 25-2 and has an all-senior starting lineup. Kellen Wiley averages 18 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists and was the Southwest District Player of the Year. Carlyle Billingsley, who stands 6-8, averages 13.4 points and 7.3 rebounds, and Darren Gray is a starting guard who averages 10.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists. The other starters are Devin Evans, who averages 15 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, and Nick Wilhelm.

 

 

By Kurt Stubbs, OhioHSHoops.com

 

The Vikings return to the Final Four for the second consecutive season despite losing four starters from last year’s state runner-up squad that finished 29–1. It certainly helps that the lone returning starter is senior Jason Singleton Jr., a leading candidate for Mr. Basketball. The Harvard signee and son of former Ohio State standout Jason Singleton Sr. has carried Columbus Academy to Dayton throughout the tournament run.

 

The Vikings stumbled out of the gate, starting the season 0–2 and sitting at just 4–4 through eight games. But since a January 3rd loss to Columbus Bishop Ready, head coach Jeff Warstler’s team has rattled off 19 straight victories. There is little debate that Academy’s road to the state tournament has been the most challenging in Division V.

 

The Vikings opened the postseason with a hard-fought seven-point district final victory over perennial contender Harvest Prep, scoring the final seven points of the game while Singleton poured in 25. They followed that with a 54–50 overtime win against a strong Columbus Africentric squad in the regional semifinals, again powered by Singleton’s 28 points.

 

But Columbus Academy saved its most dramatic performance for the regional final. Behind 34 points from Singleton, the Vikings outlasted Castalia Margaretta in a double-overtime thriller despite a 32-point effort from Margaretta’s Julian Washington. Academy erased a 14-point second-half deficit to force overtime — and then a second extra session — to secure the victory. Singleton’s tournament performance has drawn comparisons to the memorable run by Jaaron Simmons for Kettering Alter in 2013. Emerging sophomore big man Mitch Zumberge has also provided valuable support alongside the Vikings’ star guard.

 

West Muskingum is the lone newcomer in Division V, as the Tornadoes are making their first state tournament appearance in school history. West Muskingum quietly pieced together a strong season in the Muskingum Valley League, competing alongside programs such as Maysville and Division IV regional semifinalist New Concord John Glenn.

 

The Tornadoes opened the year at 5–4 before catching fire and winning 18 of their final 19 games. Their lone loss during that stretch came in a narrow two-point defeat at Maysville. Under first-year head coach Cole Smith, West Muskingum navigated the early rounds of the tournament with relative ease, but the regional stage proved far more dramatic.

 

In the regional semifinal, sophomore Noah Morrison delivered a game-winning jumper as overtime expired to lift the Tornadoes past St. Clairsville, 59–57. Morrison finished with 21 points, while versatile junior Carter Smith recorded 12 points and 11 rebounds and added a crucial game-saving block at the end of regulation.

 

Morrison again played the hero in the regional final against Ironton. With the score tied at 42 late in the game, the sophomore came up with a steal and converted a layup to break the deadlock, helping West Muskingum escape Ohio University’s Convocation Center with a 45–42 victory. Morrison led the Tornadoes with 15 points, while 1,000-point scorer Kyle Porter added 10.

 

In the end, it was West Muskingum’s defense that sealed Ironton’s fate, holding every Tiger not named Ashton Layne to just 7-of-40 shooting from the field.

 

Lutheran East returns to the state tournament looking to become the first team in Ohio history to win four consecutive state championships. Overall, the Falcons are aiming to secure their seventh title and sixth decided on the court. Head coach Sam Liggins’ squad is making its ninth consecutive Final Four appearance — and it likely would have been 10 if the 2020 tournament had not been canceled when Lutheran East was one of the final 16 teams remaining in Division II.

 

Despite playing a demanding regular-season schedule, the Falcons suffered just two losses, and both opponents — Maysville and Lakewood St. Edward — are still playing deep into their respective tournaments. Make no mistake, this has often felt like the Lutheran East “Invitational,” but the Falcons possess the coaching, talent, and depth to contend in any of Ohio’s seven divisions, even after losing senior standout T.J. Crumble for a second time when he transferred to Long Island Lutheran High School.

 

It took a monumental shooting performance from Maysville and a narrow four-point setback against Division I state semifinalist St. Edward to hand the Falcons their only defeats. Since the postseason began, Lutheran East has dominated the tournament trail, averaging just over 80 points per game while allowing only 33.6 in five contests. The closest margin of victory came in a 23-point win over a strong Fairview squad, and none of the Falcons’ five tournament opponents have managed to score more than 47 points.

 

In the regional semifinal against Fairview, Lutheran East trailed 30–28 at halftime before erupting for a 41–16 advantage in the second half to secure a 69–46 victory. Junior guards Ty Harrison (20 points) and Chris Hill (18) combined for 38 points, while standout sophomore Dylan Zeigler and junior big man Devontey Perkins evenly split 24. The Falcons followed that performance with a 65–35 rout of Canton Central Catholic in the regional final. Zeigler led the way with 20 points, while 6-foot-6 freshman Bryce Irby added 18 and senior Ocho Davis contributed 12.

 

Cincinnati Summit Country Day arrives in Dayton with a somewhat misleading 16–10 record. The Silver Knights — who fell to Columbus Academy in last year’s state semifinal — have gone 9–3 since the return of Rhode Island commit Tim Martin Jr. from injury. Summit Country Day dropped a pair of six-point games to Cincinnati St. Xavier and Youngstown Ursuline in Martin’s second and third games back, and its only other loss during that stretch was a one-point defeat to Walnut Hills.

 

Martin Jr. delivered 23 points in a hard-fought regional semifinal victory over North College Hill. In the regional final, however, it was sophomore standout Max Joiner who stole the spotlight, pouring in 29 points and grabbing 14 rebounds to lead the Silver Knights to a 73–51 win over a Waynesville team that entered the game riding a 20-game winning streak. Joiner had also contributed 22 points in the semifinal against North College Hill, while senior L.J. Stocks added 16.

 

Juniors Dawsen Tucker and Dallas Goins, along with senior Avery Jordan, have also been key contributors during Summit Country Day’s tournament surge. Ironically, the last time the Silver Knights captured a state championship was in 2012 — led by current head coach Kevin Johnson Jr., who later went on to play four seasons at the University of Cincinnati.

 

By Kurt Stubbs, OhioHSHoops.com

 

The Hawks, a 15-time state tournament participant, have been dominant all season, allowing just over 34 points per game while scoring nearly 62. Mark Schlabach’s squad arrives at Wright State riding a 19-game winning streak, highlighted by a signature 68–58 overtime victory over Western Reserve Academy, a team featuring five-star Ohio State signee Anthony Thompson.

 

Hiland has yet to allow an opponent to reach the 60-point mark in 27 games this season and has held teams under 30 points on 10 occasions. The Hawks, who own three state championships, suffered just three losses — to big-school power Cleveland St. Ignatius, Division IV regional semifinalist John Glenn, and Division V state semifinalist Lutheran East. Berlin Hiland has been even stingier during tournament play, allowing only 28 points per game. The Hawks were largely unchallenged until the regional final against Portsmouth West, where they had chances to pull away but ultimately secured a 48–35 victory. Sophomore Ryan Zerger, a transfer from Canton GlenOak, led the way with 18 points, while four-year mainstay Alex Miller added 10 in support of the 6-foot-7 standout.

 

Kirtland returns to the Final Four in consecutive seasons after going 34 years — since 1991 — without reaching the state’s biggest stage. Ironically, the Hornets fell last year to eventual state champion Monroe Central (58–54), the same team that ended Hiland’s season. Now, Kirtland will attempt a rare double: winning a state football championship in the fall and following it with a basketball title in the same school year. Marion Local was the last program to accomplish that feat in 2017–2018.

 

The Hornets’ three losses this season came by a combined 13 points against Chardon, Chagrin Falls, and Cardinal Mooney. Shawn McGregor’s team enters the state semifinal riding a six-game winning streak, highlighted by a signature regional final victory over Richmond Heights. In that game, Lucas Renfro erupted for a school-record 36 points, helping Kirtland overcome Richmond Heights’ talented sophomore Dereon Barber, who scored 27. Jake LaVerde — quarterback of Kirtland’s 15–0 state championship football team — added 10 points, senior Ben Difranco contributed nine points and eight rebounds, and Michael Dumstorff chipped in with eight.

 

The Flyers return to the Final Four in back-to-back seasons and make their seventh appearance overall, looking to capture the program’s fourth state championship. Marion Local — long known for its football dominance with 15 state titles since 2000 — now has a chance to add another basketball crown and join seven other schools with four state championships on the hardwood. Conference rival Delphos St. John’s, the only team to defeat the Flyers this season, will attempt to do the same in Division VII.

 

Marion Local enters the state semifinal riding a 15-game winning streak, though its tournament opener against conference foe New Bremen proved to be a tight test in a 43–41 victory. The close game was a stark contrast to the teams’ late-January meeting, when Coach Kurt Goettemoeller’s squad rolled to a 35-point win. The Flyers quickly regained their dominant form, dispatching Ada and Fort Recovery before a highly anticipated regional final against unbeaten Tri-Village.

 

Behind 17 points from Kale Ahrens, 15 from Grant Kremer, and 11 from Brayden Mescher, Marion Local delivered another statement performance in a 57–43 victory. Ahrens also drew the defensive assignment of guarding Tri-Village’s 2,000-point scorer Trey Sagester, who finished with 25 points but had to work tirelessly for every basket. The Flyers’ defense was particularly impressive, holding a Tri-Village team that averaged 68 points per game — and had played only one game decided by fewer than 10 points all season — to just 43 in handing the Patriots their first loss of the year. Marion Local, which fell to Monroe Central in last year’s state championship game, will look to secure its second state title under Goettemoeller.

 

Van Wert Lincolnview returns to the state tournament for the first time in a decade, marking its first appearance since finishing as state runner-up to Cornerstone Christian in 2016. Head coach Brett Hammons — who also led the Lancers during that run — has guided a team that has flown under the radar for much of the season despite winning 22 of its 27 games while competing in one of Ohio’s top small-school leagues, the Northwest Conference.

 

Lincolnview dropped its regular-season finale at home to a strong Arlington team, and few likely predicted the Lancers would be making the trip to Dayton out of a loaded district that included Spencerville, St. Henry, Convoy Crestview, Gibsonburg, and Maumee Valley Country Day. But games are not played on paper.

 

The Lancers’ tournament run has been impressive, beginning with a win over a feisty Tinora squad, followed by victories over 21-win Gibsonburg and conference rival Convoy Crestview before a matchup with heavily favored 23-win Colonel Crawford in the regional final. Hammons’ team set the tone early, holding Colonel Crawford to just 8-of-25 shooting in the first half before pulling away for a 58–45 victory.

 

Lincolnview’s defense also limited the Eagles’ talented duo of Brayden Holt and Payne DeGray — both 1,000-point scorers — to a combined 29 points. Offensively, the Lancers were paced by Gavin Evans with 19 points, junior Max Hammons with 15, Zaner Coil with 10, and freshman Marshall Hammons with eight. The Hammons brothers are the sons of head coach Brett Hammons.

 

Unfortunately, Lincolnview suffered a tough blow during the regional final when Coil left the game following a collision in the paint. The injury was later confirmed to be a broken collarbone.

 

By Jarrod Ulrey, CbusSports.com

 

The Falcons head into their first state tournament with a 20-7 record under third-year coach Ben Ferguson. Sophomore point guard Lowen Ferguson, who was first-team all-Northeast Inland District, averages 18 points, four rebounds, 5.5 assists, and three steals and holds the program records for steals in a season (76), 3-pointers made in a season (55) and career (105), and free throws made in one game (16). Junior Kael Lewis averages 16.5 points and 9.5 rebounds, and his brother, junior Knox Lewis, averages 11 points and 8.5 rebounds. Seniors Troy Bennett (eight ppg) and Hayden McFadden (8.5 ppg) are other starters.

 

The Wildcats are back at state for the sixth time, with their most recent coming in 2009 when they were state runners-up. The only state title for Kalida came in 1981 under former coach Dick Kortokrax, who headed the program for 41 seasons and is Ohio’s all-time winningest coach, and are in its 10th season under his successor, Ryan Stechschulte. Kalida, which is 16-11, has used a balanced offense to find success as sophomore Owen Grime is the leading scorer at 10.6 per game. Seniors Jaxon Hoffman (6.8 ppg, 5.2 rebounds), Logan Kerner (6.1 ppg), Parker Vorst (5.3 ppg), and Nate Kahle (4.8 ppg) are the other starters. 

 

In 31 seasons under coach Dennis Tucci, Malvern has gone 524-221, but it will be making its first appearance at the state tournament. The Hornets are 19-9 and had two players earn first-team all-East District honors in junior guards Grady Barkley (13.6 ppg) and Delonte Simmons (10.3 ppg, 4.6 assists). The only senior starter is Tripp Tucci (7.2 ppg). Juniors Luke Thomas (7.0 ppg, 4.6 rebounds), who was second-team all-district, and Jaxon Jones (5.5 ppg, 6.7 rebounds) are the other starters.  Sophomore Brennan Mitchell (4.7 ppg) also is a key player for the Hornets.

 

The Blue Jays are making their 13th appearance at state, including their first since 2017. They have won three state titles, with the last coming in 2002, and have gone 296-154 in 18 seasons under coach Aaron Elwer. Senior Cameron Elwer, who is the coach’s son, averages 28.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, and is a Furman University commit and Mr. Basketball finalist with more than 2,600 career points. Junior Andrew Elwer (15.6 ppg, 3.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists) and sophomore Easton Elwer (9.3 ppg) are two other sons of the head coach who start. Senior Brayden Klaus and junior Jackson Wiechart round out the starting lineup.