SW Ohio- Regional Storylines

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's regional week around Ohio, and here are 5 storylines to consider when focusing on the regionals in Southwest Ohio this week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Champ vs Champ?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When the new enrollment numbers came out last summer, the first thing people noticed was the possible matchup for a state title between the defending D2 champion Kettering Alter vs the reigning D3 state champ Purcell Marian. PM is now D2 which drew a lot of attention heading into this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But wait a second.... don't count out Hamilton Badin! The Rams are loaded with offensive threats including the GCL Coed Player of the Year in 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='538041' first='Braelyn' last='Even'] along with sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='451626' first='Gracie' last='Cosgrove'] and 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='319027' first='Ashley' last='Pate']. They split with Alter this season and they meet Tuesday for a shot potentially at Purcell in the finals, if PM can get past Bexley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alter brings in 2025 Maddie Moody and 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='217360' first='Riley' last='Smith'] along with playmaking guard 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='366785' first='Elena' last='Thompson'] and an improved 2024 Hannah Mayse. Purcell of course has the frontrunner for the Ohio Ms. Basketball in 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='360697' first='Darriana' last='Alexander'], with twins [player_tooltip player_id='451530' first='Cy'Aira' last='Miller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='451570' first='Ky'Aira' last='Miller'], along with sharpshooter 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='316711' first='Jayda' last='Mosley']. Bexley has [player_tooltip player_id='313121' first='Sydnie' last='Smith'], who is a D1 track star headed to the Big Ten to throw at Iowa.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>GMC on top</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They have proven they are the top girls basketball conference in Ohio. The Greater Miami Conference has three of the four teams still alive in the D1 regionals as Lakota East, Princeton and Mason join Kings in the quest for a trip to the final four.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lakota East was a sleeper to most this season, but not all of us. They are very deep with a good bench and a very solid starting five. Miami signee [player_tooltip player_id='216105' first='Madison' last='French'] is.a 2023 who came up big in the district 2OT win over Fairmont. 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='329533' first='Emma' last='Fohl'] along with 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='319056' first='Brooke' last='Asher'] and 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='329510' first='Payton' last='Woody'] and Savannah Smith round out a vert solid starting five that will be bringing everything they have. Mason is the defending state runner-up and they rely on 2023s [player_tooltip player_id='441896' first='Carly' last='Prows'], [player_tooltip player_id='521312' first='Gabby' last='Razzano'], 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='319293' first='Madison' last='Parrish'] and 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='481383' first='Anna' last='Habra'] to push them back to UD Arena. Princeton brings in states top 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='157707' first='Sole' last='Williams'] along with 2023s [player_tooltip player_id='360681' first='La'Sonja' last='Hill'] and Diana Carter-Hartley and top-five 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='319294' first='Mari' last='Gerton']. It will be a battle for whoever gets out of this regional. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Cinderella hoping the clock does not strike midnight</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I mentioned all of those GMC teams, but the talk of the D1 tourney has been Kings. They beat unbeaten West Clermont and favored Centerville to get here, and while they believed they could do it, now many others also believe. The player to watch is 2024 Kassidy Ingram a 5'11" guard who makes them go offensively. Also I love the game of their guard Anna Rawlings a 2023 along with 2023 Madi Barnett and Riley Wells. Coming off the bench to contribute is 2024 Elise Marchal, a bigtime volleyball player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>They meet again..and again...and again </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They split during the regular season in the Shelby County League, now these two D4 power meet in the regional semis on Thursday at Butler. Fort Loramie and Russia... Part 3!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fort Loramie is here every year, and many times have advanced further into the final four. Now it is a talented defensive-minded group that hopes to get the job done. 2023 Ava Turner was the conference Player of the Year and gets help from 2024 Skyler Albers and Jayden Rose, with 2025s [player_tooltip player_id='329476' first='Victoria' last='Mescher'] and [player_tooltip player_id='849223' first='Avery' last='Brandewie'] stepping up. Russia has three 2023s who lead the way with Cece Borchers, [player_tooltip player_id='270603' first='Kate' last='Sherman'] and Renee Goubeaux. Watch for 2024 Roni Poling in the middle and Jaela Shappie at the guard spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Reppin the 614</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Africentric is no stranger to deep tournament runs. They are coming to Springfield on Wednesday for the D3 regionals and even without their 2024 top 5 [player_tooltip player_id='217332' first='Kamryn' last='Grant'], who missed most of the season with an ACL injury, they look to make some noise for a trip to Dayton. They bring in 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='402619' first='Ariel' last='Grace'] <em>(featured photo above)</em>, 2024s [player_tooltip player_id='360842' first='Natiah' last='Nelson'] and Samirah Thompson and 2026 Jeniyah Bowers. All four of them are geared for a long run and they are focused. Grant is making progress in her recovery and is expected to be back in full stregth next season. Africentric is a relentless team with a rich tradition and will play high level defense and play with a fast pace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->