SW/NW Ohio District Finals
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The district championships are here, and several teams have qualified for the finals this weekend around Ohio. Today, I will take a look at the matchups and Previews in Southwest and the updated district schedule for Northwest Ohio with games…
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Continue ReadingThe district championships are here, and several teams have qualified for the finals this weekend around Ohio. Today, I will take a look at the matchups and Previews in Southwest and the updated district schedule for Northwest Ohio with games this weekend, starting Friday night.
Southwest District
Division 1 @ Princeton High School
Saturday, Feb. 25 (gametimes subject to change)
11:00am- Kettering Fairmont vs Lakota East
Fairmont knocked off #1 seed Bellbrook to get here, and the Firebirds are peaking at the right time. Led by 2023 Serena Baker and 2024 Kenzie Roark Kenzie Roark 5'8" | CG Fairmont | 2024 OH , they have 3 2026 who are one of the best freshman trios in Ohio with Nico Cornett Nico Cornett 5'8" | CG Kettering Fairmont | 2026 State OH , Kaylah Thornton Kaylah Thornton 5'9" | SF Kettering Fairmont | 2026 State OH and Lena Buskard. They are no longer freshman with their experience. Lakota East has put together an amazing season with 2023 Madison French Madison French 5'11" | CG Lakota East | 2023 State OH , Payton Woody Payton Woody 5'10" Lakota East | 2023 OH and Savannah Smith along with 2024 Emma Fohl Emma Fohl 5'5" | SG Lakota East | 2024 State OH and Celina Blount Celina Blount 6'2" | C Lakota East | 2024 State OH , 2025 Katlyn Pham Katlyn Pham 5'7" | SG Lakota East | 2025 State OH , Addyson Johnson Addyson Johnson 5'9" | SF Lakota East | 2025 OH and Brooke Asher Brooke Asher 5'7" | SG Lakota East | 2025 State OH . Very deep and very talented.
1:30pm- Centerville vs Kings
Centerville withstood a late surge by Sidney to get the OT win in the sectional finals. Kendal George Kendal George 5'9" | CG Centerville | 2023 State OH is a 2023 who can light you up and the Grim sisters (Anna Grim 2023, Emily Grimm 2024) are a deadly sister combo! Kaitlyn Palomino Kaitlyn Palomino 5'5" | CG Centerville | 2024 OH is a threat as the 2024 can provide offense while 2026 Bella Keeton Bella Keeton 5'4" | PG Centerville | 2026 OH is improving every day. Kings knocked off the #1 team in the final poll and previously unbeaten West Clermont to get here. Kassie Ingram is a 2024 who is their offensive leader, but she gets plenty of help from 2023 Madi Barnett and 2023 Riley Wells. They have some depth and now some momentum from their big win.
4:00pm- Mason vs Springboro
Mason is the defending state runner-up and could be the favorite to get out of the regional. Time will tell, but they have the weapons with a phenomenal 2023 Carly Prows Carly Prows 6'1" | SF Mason | 2023 State OH , while Madison Parrish Madison Parrish 6'0" | SF Mason | 2025 State OH is one of the top 2025s in Ohio. Gabby Razzano Gabby Razzano 6'1" | PF Mason | 2023 State OH is a solid 6-2 2023 who can play inside and out while 2026 Anna Habra Anna Habra 5'8" | PG William Mason | 2026 State OH is one of the better freshman in Ohio. Springboro won the GWOC and brings in a very dangerous soph duo of 2025 Bryn Martin Bryn Martin 6'0" | SG Springboro | 2025 State OH and Aniya Trent Aniya Trent 6'1" | PF Springboro | 2025 State OH . The guard spots will be handled by 2024 Morgan Meek Morgan Meek 5'10" | SG Springboro | 2024 State OH and 2025 Ava Wade Ava Wade 5'11" | CG Springboro | 2025 OH , while 2024 Chloe Downing Chloe Downing 5'10" | SF Springboro | 2024 OH has been steady all season.
Division 1 @ Lakota West HS
Saturday, Feb. 25 (game moved from Princeton due to host team cannot play at home)
6:00pm- Princeton vs Mount Notre Dame
This game was moved from Princeton since they can not play districts at home and they are a team with a lot of talent. 2023 Sole Williams Sole Williams 5'7" | CG Cincinnati Princeton | 2023 State OH is #1 in the last PGH rankings in her class, while 2023s La’Sonja Hill La’Sonja Hill 5'7" | SG Cincinnati Princeton | 2023 State OH and Diwana Carter-Hartley both are talented and experienced to provide leadership. 2025 Kali Forston Kali Forston 6'2" | PF Cincinnati Princeton | 2025 State OH is a rising sophomore and 2025 Mari Gerton Mari Gerton 5'7" | PG Princeton | 2025 State OH is ranking among the best in her class. Love the 2026 Heaven Sneed Heaven Sneed 5'5" | PG Cincinnati Princeton | 2026 State OH …. she is rising quickly. MND is back again as they knocked off previously unbeaten Talawanda to get here. Taylor Stanley Taylor Stanley 5'7" | CG Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame | 2023 State OH is a natural leader and the 2023 is the consummate floor general from the PG spot. Kailee Bransford is a 2025 and hit the game winner to get to districts.
Division 2 @ Mason Middle School Arena
Friday, Feb. 24 (gametimes subject to change)
5:00pm- Kettering Alter vs Summit Country Day
The defending D2 state champs from Alter are heating up and are ready for the district finals. They have some key experience back from last year with 2023 Mekhia Shipp, 2024 Riley Smith Riley Smith 6'2" | SF Kettering Alter | 2024 State OH and Elena Thompson Elena Thompson 5'11" | SG Kettering Alter | 2024 OH , both bigtime contributors. Also 2025 Maddie Moody has improved her game and is a threat both at the rim and behind the arc. Love the improvement of 2024 Hannah Mayse Hannah Mayse 5'9" | CG Kettering Alter | 2024 OH and rising freshman Da’Shai Shepard. Summit Country Day has a pair of 2023s who look to make a difference as Gabby Martin Gabby Martin 5'11" | SF Cincinnati Summit Country Day | 2023 State OH and Kyla Irby Kyla Irby 5'9" | SG Summit Country Day | 2023 State OH are both scoring in double figures while another 2023 Shamirah McBride is a talented guard.
7:00pm- Dayton Carroll vs Hamilton Badin
Look who’s back… Dayton Carroll started the season 2-6 and finished tied for last in the loaded GCL Coed Division. They are filled with freshman as the 2026 class at Carroll consists of Kiera Healy Kiera Healy 6'0" | SF Dayton Carroll | 2026 State OH , Eva Snyder Eva Snyder 5'7" | SF Dayton Carroll | 2026 OH , Maggie Bush Maggie Bush 5'7" | CG Dayton Chaminade Julienne | 2026 OH and Maura Petrovic Maura Petrovic 5'8" | SG Dayton Carroll | 2026 State OH as all players who are rising quickly. 2023 Ellie Meyer handles the paint while 2024 Meghan Parlette, Lyla Grady, Addie Ryan and 2025 Lyla Oliver Lyla Oliver 5'7" | CG Dayton Carroll | 2025 State OH and Ali Davis are players who make this team very deep. Badin may be the most underrated team in the districts. Their 2026 Braelyn Even Braelyn Even 5'10" | SF Hamilton Badin | 2026 State OH (featured photo above) could be the fastest rising freshman in Ohio after only being listed on the Watch List in the preseason. Gracie Cosgrove Gracie Cosgrove 5'9" | CG Stephen T. Badin | 2025 State OH is a 2025 who can score from anywhere she wants. Ashley Pate Ashley Pate 5'8" | CG Stephen T. Badin | 2025 OH is another scorer as the 2025 makes this very young team very dangerous in the next several years.
9:00pm- Tipp City Tippecanoe vs Purcell Marian
The Red Devils are back in a familiar spot at District Finals, and they have their hands full with the defending D3 state champs. Tipp brings in 2023 Makenzie Chinn Makenzie Chinn 5'4" | CG Tipp City Tippecanoe | 2023 OH who is a D1 college soccer signee, while Alexa Mader is a 2023 who can score inside or out. They also have 2024 Laney Cleckner who is a perimeter threat. Purcell Marian has the #1 2025 in Ohio Darriana Alexander Darriana Alexander 6'1" | CG Cincinnati Purcell Marian | 2025 State OH as Dee will get help from sisters Cy’Aira Miller Cy’Aira Miller 5'6" | CG Purcell Marian | 2025 State OH and Ky’Aira Miller Ky’Aira Miller 5'6" | CG Purcell Marian | 2025 State OH a pair of very talented 2025s. Sharpshooter Jayda Mosley Jayda Mosley 5'7" | SG Cincinnati Purcell Marian | 2024 State OH is a 2024 who can open a game when she gets on a roll.
Division 3 @ Springfield High School
Saturday, Feb. 25 (gametimes subject to change)
10:45am- Preble Shawnee v Cincinnati Country Day
The 2023 dynamic duo of Olivia Thompson Olivia Thompson 5'6" | CG Preble Shawnee | 2023 OH and Campbell Jewell Campbell Jewell 5'6" | PG Preble Shawnee | 2023 OH have led this team to the districts. Thompson was District 16 POY and a great shooter while also being able to penetrate. Jewell is a University of Michigan soccer signee who is extremely athletic, can defend and find the open player. 2023 Harlee Howard is another player who has been a big factor for the Arrows. CCD brings in 2023 Gracie Barnes along with 2024 Megan Zimmerman and Elizabeth Zimmerman.
1:00pm- East Clinton v Anna
The #1 seed in the Wilmington Sectionals are here as East Clinton has one of the most dominant players in the districts in double-double machine 2023 Libby Evanshine Libby Evanshine 5'10" | SF East Clinton | 2023 OH . Also 2024 PG Jordan Collom is a player who has put together a solid season for the Astros, as a good compliment to Evanshine. Another player to watch is 2023 Kami Whiteaker. Anna knocked off the #1 seed Bethel Bees to get here and they are a balanced team. They love defense and are led by 2024 Brenna Cobb, a solid and complete guard who is a good floor general for the Rockets. Also 2025 Makenna Pettus is a player who you should keep your eye on as she is improving.
3:15pm- Versailles v Madeira
Versailles is a team that improved as the season progressed. They don’t have that dominant scorer but they are balanced and effective. Jenna Dirksen Jenna Dirksen 5'9" | CG Versailles | 2024 State OH is a 2024 who has good talent from the guard spot while post 2025 Taylor Wagner Taylor Wagner 6'1" | PF Versailles | 2025 State OH is vastly improved in the paint with good footwork and hands. I like the game of 2026 Katey Litten Katey Litten 5'6" | CG Versailles | 2026 OH who has grown a lot as a freshman. Madeira has 2023 Sammy Welty who is a solid scorer and a good leader for the Amazons. Mary Hartung is another 2023 who can be a factor in this game.
Division 4 @ Troy High School
Saturday Feb 25 (gametimes subject to change)
11:00am- Fayetteville Perry v Tri Village
Tri Village wasn’t touched in the sectionals, and I look for their success to continue. Rylee Sagester Rylee Sagester 5'6" | CG Tri Village | 2023 State OH is a 2023 who recently broke the state 3-point record for career threes, 2023 Morgan Hunt Morgan Hunt 5'10" | PF Tri Village | 2023 State OH is a very complete wing who can defend and attack both inside and out. Torrie Richards is very underrated and is the glue for this team. They can score, defend, push tempo and win. Fayetteville Perry brings in 2023 Anne Murphy who is a good combo guard who can run the show with good handles and can score.
1:00pm- Fort Loramie v Covington
Fort Loramie makes their annual trip to the district finals as the Redskins have a very good defensive team with a balanced offensive attack. 2023 Ava Turner was named the Player of the Year in the conference, while 2025 Avery Brandewie Avery Brandewie 5'10" | SF Fort Loramie | 2025 OH had a great sophomore season. Another 2025 Victoria Mescher Victoria Mescher 5'11" | CG Fort Loramie | 2025 State OH is a player I have seen several times as she forward can score in a variety of ways, defend and moves well. Covington stunned the #2 seed Southeastern and the Buccs have a great sister combo of 2024 Gracie Anderson and 2025 Maggie Anderson Maggie Anderson 6'0" | SF Covington | 2025 OH . Maggie has good range and the 6′ forward can rebound and handle the paint. Gracie is a guard who plays with high energy and can score well from the perimeter. Carlie Besecker Carlie Besecker 5'10" | SF Covington | 2024 OH is a 5’10” 2024 forward with length and is a good athlete, can run the floor and finish.
3:00pm- Legacy Christian v Russia
Legacy Christian lands back in the district finals with a very balanced team and without a big scorer. 2025 Alli Graves Alli Graves 5'5" | PF Legacy Christian Academy | 2025 OH was the conference Player of the Year while three others are very similar in scoring. Russia has 2023 Cece Borchers who is an aggressive guard and can see the floor well and score. Kate Sherman Kate Sherman 6'0" | SF Russia | 2023 OH is a 2023 post who is tough at the rim with good footwork and can rebound.
Northwest District
Division 1 @ Lake
Saturday, Feb. 25 (gametimes subject to change)
6:00pm- Fremont Ross v Whitehouse Anthony Wayne
Division 1 @ Toledo Central Catholic
Saturday, Feb. 25 (gametimes subject to change)
6:00pm- Holland Springfield v Toledo Start
Division 2 @ Paulding
Saturday, Feb. 25 (gametimes subject to change)
6:00pm- Lima Bath v Bryan
Division 2 @ Ashland
Saturday, Feb. 25 (gametimes subject to change)
4:00pm- Sandusky Perkins v Norwalk
Division 2 @ Whitehouse
Saturday, Feb. 25 (gametimes subject to change)
6:00pm- Napoleon v Toledo Rogers
Division 3 @ Shelby
Saturday, Feb. 25 (gametimes subject to change)
6:00pm- Upper Sandusky v Castalia Margaretta
Division 3 @ Lake
Saturday, Feb. 25 (gametimes subject to change)
1:00pm- Van Buren v Liberty Center
Division 3 @ Elida
Saturday, Feb. 25 (gametimes subject to change)
2:00pm- Delphos Jefferson v Ottawa-Glandorf
Division 4 @ Willard
Saturday, Feb. 25 (gametimes subject to change)
6:00pm- Lakeside Danbury v New Washington Buckeye Central
Division 4 @ Fostoria
Saturday, Feb. 25 (gametimes subject to change)
6:00pm- Bascom Hopewell-Loudon v McComb
Division 4 @ Ostego
Saturday, Feb. 25 (gametimes subject to change)
6:00pm- Toledo Christian v Kansas Lakota
Division 4 @ Defiance
Saturday, Feb. 25 (gametimes subject to change)
7:30pm- Ayersville v Convoy Crestview
Division 4 @ Ottawa Glandorf
Saturday Feb. 25 (gametimes subject to change)
6:00pm- Columbus Grove v Kalida
Division 4 @ Wapakoneta
Saturday, Feb. 25 (gametimes subject to change)
6:00pm- Marion Local v Minster