Ohio high school girls basketball playoffs: Breaking down all 16 regions as the state championships approach

Before the Ohio girls basketball playoffs started we went district by district breaking down Division 1, Division 2, Division 3 and Division 4.

Now we're down to the nitty-gritty. Here's a breakdown of the region battles to determine which teams punch their ticket to the state championships in Dayton.

Division 1

Region 1 – Medina

When: Semifinals on Tuesday, March 1 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Final on Saturday, March 5 at 2 p.m.

Where: Medina High School, 777 East Union St., Medina, Ohio, 44256

Semifinal matchups: Massillon Jackson vs. Green; Archbishop Hoban vs. St. Joseph Academy

Star power: Emma Dretke, Lauren Pallotta, Leena Patibandla (Jackson); Bri Hunt, Alyssa Ziehler (Green); Lanae Riley, Grace Schill, Adrena Gordon (Archbishop Hoban); Ava Haddad (St. Joseph Academy)

Predicted final matchup: Massillon Jackson vs. Archbishop Hoban

Predicted winner: Archbishop Hoban. Last year’s state semifinalists had no problems getting through sectionals and districts and have their sights set on a return trip to Dayton.

Region 2 – Sandusky

When: Semifinals on Tuesday, March 1 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Final on Saturday, March 5 at 1 p.m.

Where: Sandusky High School, 2130 Hayes Ave., Sandusky, Ohio, 44870

Semifinal matchups: Toledo Start vs. Medina Highland; Whitehouse Anthony Wayne vs. Olmsted Falls

Star power: Sinai Douglas (Toledo Start); Maddie Miller, Aleena VanKirk (Highland); Elise Bender, Brooke Bender (Anthony Wayne); Paige Kohler (Olmsted Falls)

Predicted final matchup: Medina Highland vs. Olmsted Falls

Predicted winner: Olmsted Falls. The Bulldogs have just two losses on the season (to Archbishop Hoban and Mount Notre Dame, No. 2 and 3 in the final SBLive pre-playoff rankings) and have been on cruise control over the last few weeks. Despite having just one loss, the Hornets might be hard-pressed to hold down this Olmsted Falls offense.

Region 3 – Westerville

When: Semifinals on Tuesday, March 1 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Final on Friday, March 4 at 7 p.m.

Where: Westerville South High School, 303 South Otterbein Ave., Westerville, Ohio, 43081

Semifinal matchups: Dublin Coffman vs. Pickerington Central; Gahanna Lincoln vs. Reynoldsburg

Star power: Cassidy Lafler, Jenna Kopyar, Tessa Grady (Dublin Coffman); Berry Wallace, Madison Greene, Olivia Cooper (Pickerington Central); Bella Ward (Gahanna Lincoln); Imarianah Russell, Mya Perry, Makiya Miller (Reynoldsburg)

Predicted final matchup: Dublin Coffman vs. Reynoldsburg

Predicted winner: Reynoldsburg. This could be one of the best matchups in the state between star trios. While Dublin Coffman has just one loss on the season (and would have to avenge that loss to Pickerington Central to advance to this game), Reynoldsburg has not lost to an in-state opponent all season and has had just one close game in the last month.

Region 4 – Cincinnati

When: Semifinals on Tuesday, March 1 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Final on Saturday, March 5 at 7 p.m.

Where: Lakota West High School, 8940 Union Centre Blvd., West Chester, Ohio, 45069

Semifinal matchups: Cincinnati Winton Woods vs. Mason; Cincinnati Princeton vs. Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame

Star power: Chance Gray, Daysia Thompson (Winton Woods); Kyla Oldacre (Mason); Sole Williams (Princeton); KK Bransford, Abby Wolterman (Mount Notre Dame)

Predicted final matchup: Mason vs. Mount Notre Dame

Predicted winner: Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame. Led by the returning Ms. Ohio Basketball KK Bransford, the defending state champions are officially undefeated and have not lost since January 14, 2019. Princeton beat Mount Notre Dame earlier this season but had to forfeit because a player exceeded the nightly limit on quarters between junior varsity and varsity.

Division 2

Region 5 – Barberton

When: Semifinals on Tuesday, March 1 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Final on Friday, March 4 at 7 p.m.

Where: Barberton High School, 555 Barber Road, Barberton, Ohio, 44203

Semifinal matchups: Norton vs. Beloit West Branch; Salem vs. Canal Fulton Northwest

Star power: Gabby Destefano, Addie Kropp (Norton); Sophia Gregory, Anna Lippiatt (West Branch); Lily Bottomly, Ashley Cudnik (Northwest)

Predicted final matchup: Norton vs. Northwest

Predicted winner: Canal Fulton Northwest. A matchup between Northwest and Norton could turn into one of the lowest-scoring games of the regionals, and both teams are comfortable with it. Northwest proved it can show up in the biggest games, upsetting St. Vincent-St. Mary 28-26 in the district final.

Region 6 – Mansfield Senior

When: Semifinals on Tuesday, March 1 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Final on Friday, March 4 at 7 p.m.

Where: Mansfield Senior High School, 124 North Linden Road, Mansfield, Ohio, 44906

Semifinal matchups: Columbus Bishop Hartley vs. Toledo Central Catholic; Copley vs. Shelby

Star power: Ella Brandewie (Bishop Hartley); Brinn Hunt, Brooklyn Vaughn (Central Catholic); Ashley Kerekes (Copley); Olivia Baker (Shelby)

Predicted final matchup: Toledo Central Catholic vs. Shelby

Predicted winner: Shelby. The Whippets are unbeaten on the season and have just two wins by less than 20 points since the beginning of January. While one of those was the 56-52 district semifinal win over Sandusky Perkins, Shelby bounced back with a 57-33 win over Bellville Clear Fork for the district crown.

Region 7 – Zanesville

When: Semifinals on Tuesday, March 1 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Final on Friday, March 4 at 7 p.m.

Where: Zanesville High School, 1701 Blue Ave., Zanesville, Ohio, 43701

Semifinal matchups: Thornville Sheridan vs. New Concord John Glenn; Vincent Warren vs. Dresden Tri-Valley

Star power: Bailey Beckstedt, Faith Stinson, Jamisyn Stinson (Sheridan); Mya Oliver (John Glenn); Abbie Smith (Vincent Warren); Lexi Howe (Tri-Valley)

Predicted final matchup: Sheridan vs. Tri-Valley

Predicted winner: Thornville Sheridan. The game would be a rubber match between the two schools, which faced each other in December (a 49-36 Tri-Valley win) and again just a few weeks ago (a 53-34 Sheridan win). In the third contest, Sheridan would seem to have the momentum, having not lost since Jan. 20.

Region 8 – Springfield

When: Semifinals on Tuesday, March 1 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Final on Friday, March 4 at 7 p.m.

Where: Springfield High School, 701 East Home Road, Springfield, Ohio, 45503

Semifinal matchups: Eaton vs. Hamilton Badin; Granville vs. Kettering Archbishop Alter

Star power: Olivia Baumann (Eaton); Jada Pohlen, Mahya Lindesmith (Badin); Ella Wigal, Cate Schieber (Granville); Caraline Kiernan, Riley Smith (Kettering Alter)

Predicted final matchup: Badin vs. Kettering Archbishop Alter

Predicted winner: Kettering Archbishop Alter. The winner of this region could very easily be the winner of the semifinal between Alter and Granville, as the two teams have been near the top of Division II all season and have just one loss each. If Alter plays Badin, it will be the third meeting this season, with Alter victorious twice already.

Division 3

Region 9 – Cuyahoga Falls

When: Semifinals on Wednesday, March 2 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Final on Saturday, March 5 at 1:30 p.m.

Where: Cuyahoga Falls High School, 2300 4th St., Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, 44221

Semifinal matchups: Applecreek Waynedale vs. Youngstown Liberty, Garrettsville Garfield vs. Warrensville Heights

Star power: Alyssa Geiser, McKenna Baney (Waynedale); Demi Watson, Aaliyah Foster, Cianna Smith (Liberty); Jenna Smith (Garfield); Zennia Thomas, Jada Ward (Warrensville Heights)

Predicted final matchup: Waynedale vs. Warrensville Heights

Predicted winner: Warrensville Heights. This would be a matchup of one team that is undefeated (Waynedale) and one team whose only loss came in the season opener (Warrensville Heights). This game could come down to which duo performs better between Geiser and Baney for Waynedale and Thomas and Ward for Warrensville Heights.

Region 10 – Lexington

When: Semifinals on Wednesday, March 2 at 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Final on Friday, March 4 at 1:30 p.m.

Where: Semifinals at Lexington High School, 103 Clever Lane, Lexington, Ohio, 44904 and Findlay High School, 1200 Broad Ave., Findlay, Ohio, 45840. Final at Lexington High School.

Semifinal matchups: Castalia Margaretta vs. Worthington Christian (7 p.m. at Lexington); Wauseon vs. Ottawa-Glandorf (7:30 p.m. at Findlay)

Star power: Kylie Leibacher (Margaretta); Blessing King, Meghan Mayotte (Worthington Christian); Hayley Meyer, Marisa Seiler (Wauseon); Erin Kaufman, Katie Kaufman (Ottawa-Glandorf)

Predicted final matchup: Worthington Christian vs. Wauseon

Predicted winner: Worthington Christian. Ranked in the top 5 in the AP poll all season, Worthington Christian has given up more than 40 points to an opponent just once since Christmas, a 46-35 loss to the Division II district champion.

Region 11 – Logan

When: Semifinals on Wednesday, March 2 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Final on Saturday, March 7 at 7 p.m.

Where: Logan High School, 14470 State Route 328, Logan, Ohio, 43138

Semifinal matchups: Proctorville Fairland vs. Beverly Fort Frye; Belmont Union Local vs. Wheelersburg

Star power: Bree Allen, Tomi Hinkle (Fairland); Hannah Archer (Fort Frye); Reagan Vinskovich, Torre Kildow (Belmont Union Local); Makenna Walker (Wheelersburg)

Predicted final matchup: Fairland vs. Wheelersburg

Predicted winner: Fairland. Undefeated Wheelersburg has been the top team in the AP poll in Division III all season, but Fairland has also been on a run, having not lost since Dec. 11.

Region 12 – Springfield

When: Semifinals on Wednesday, March 2 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Final on Saturday, March 5 at 1 p.m.

Where: Springfield High School, 701 East Home Road, Springfield, Ohio, 45503

Semifinal matchups: Marion Pleasant vs. Sabina East Clinton; Waynesville vs. Cincinnati Purcell Marian

Star power: Kyla Columber, Whitney Waddell (Marian Pleasant); Isabella Cassoni (Waynesville); Dee Alexander (Purcell Marian)

Predicted final matchup: East Clinton vs. Purcell Marian

Predicted winner: Cincinnati Purcell Marian. A state semifinalist last season, all Purcell Marian has done this season has been staying near the top of the state rankings, while losing just one game.

Division 4

Region 13 – Perry

When: Semifinals on Thursday, March 3 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Final on Saturday, March 5 at 7 p.m.

Where: Massillon Perry High School, 3737 13th St. Southwest, Massillon, Ohio, 44646

Semifinal matchups: New Middletown Springfield vs. New Washington Buckeye Central; Bristolville Bristol vs. Dalton

Star power: Jacey Mullen (Springfield); Claudia Pifher and Emily Seisel (Buckeye Central); Bella Zirzow (Bristol); Ella Lunsford (Dalton)

Predicted final matchup: Buckeye Central vs. Dalton

Predicted winner: Buckeye Central. While Dalton toppled the top two seeds in its district en route to the title, Buckeye Central has been on cruise control, and its only loss of the season has been to Shelby, the top-ranked team in Division III.

Region 14 – Elida

When: Semifinals on Thursday, March 2 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Final on Saturday, March 5 at 7 p.m.

Where: Elida Fieldhouse, 101 East North St., Elida, Ohio 45807

Semifinal matchups: Columbus Grove vs. Toledo Christian; New Knoxville vs. Convoy Crestview

Star power: Kenzie King, Lauryn Auchmuty (Columbus Grove); Kendall Braden (Toledo Christian); Elle Gabel, Avery Henschen, Carsyn Henschen (New Knoxville); Cali Gregory (Crestview)

Predicted final matchup: Toledo Christian vs. New Knoxville

Predicted winner: New Knoxville. The Rangers rely on a balanced attack offensively and have held seven of their last nine opponents to 26 points or fewer.

Region 15 – Pickerington

When: Semifinals on Thursday, March 2 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Final on Saturday, March 5 at 7 p.m.

Where: Pickerington High School North, 7800 Refugee Road, Pickerington, Ohio, 43147

Semifinal matchups: Glouster Trimble vs. Woodsfield Monroe Central; Waterford vs. Sugar Grove Berne Union

Star power: Jayne Six, Briana Osborne, Laikyn Imler, Emily Young (Glouster Trimble); Kalista Friday (Monroe Central); Cara Taylor, Mackenzie Suprano (Waterford); Sophia Kline (Berne Union)

Predicted final matchup: Glouster Trimble vs. Waterford

Predicted winner: Waterford. This would be the third matchup of the season between the Tri-Valley Conference rivals, with each owning a win. Waterford and conference player of the year Cara Taylor have won 10 in a row, including a 59-37 win over Trimble.

Region 16 – Vandalia

When: Semifinals on Thursday, March 2 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Final on Saturday, March 5 at 1 p.m.

Where: Butler High School, 600 South Dixie Drive, Vandalia, Ohio, 45377

Semifinal matchups: New Madison Tri-Village vs. Danville; Cincinnati Country Day vs. Fort Loramie

Star power: Meghan Downing, Morgan Hunt, Rylee Sagester (Tri-Village); Brooklynn Hess (Danville); Sarah Zimmerman (Country Day); Ava Sholtis, Colleen Brandewie (Fort Loramie)

Predicted final matchup: Tri-Village vs. Fort Loramie

Predicted winner: Fort Loramie. In a battle of the top two teams in the final AP poll, the defending state champions look poised to punch their return ticket to Dayton.