Division 4 Regional Preview

We have reached Regional week in Ohio. Early this week will be the regional semis with the finals set for later in the week. Here is a look at the matchups in Division 4 throughout Ohio.   AT CANTON   Perry vs Shaker Heights Laurel   Canfield vs Streetsboro   Players to Watch: The opening game of the regional semis pits Perry against Laurel and I look for this one to be a very interesting matchup. Perry brings in a big three-point threat in Audrey Austin (5-9, 2025) a shooting guard who has the green light and ability to shoot your team right out of the game. She is active with the ball and can make plays for her team. Rosalyn Tharp (5-6, 2025) is a smaller player who is very strong around the rim. She is a Multisport athlete who can be a difference maker for her team.   Laurel is a different team from the last time I saw them. Gone is Saniyah Hall, who could have been the best overall basketball player in Ohio and she is at Montverde Academy in Florida. They do have back a player who I really like her overall game, [player_tooltip player_id='852934' first='Tristan' last='Williams'] (2026, 5-8) who is a Division One basketball kid and she has taken on the leadership role. Also watch for Olivia Schneider (2026, 5-9) who is a terrific shooter especially from long range.   Canfield brings in [player_tooltip player_id='1229427' first='Jenna' last='Triveri'] (2026, 5-6) and Marina Koenig (2025, 5-7) who make up a formidable duo while for Streetsboro, likely the best player at that regional site as [player_tooltip player_id='319291' first='Naomi' last='Benson'] (2025, 6-2), the new all-time leading scorer in school history. She is a major force around the rim, can dominate the game from anywhere and score on anyone.   AT NORWALK   Bellevue v Lutheran East   Wauseon v Warrensville Heights   Players to Watch: Bellevue senior [player_tooltip player_id='420073' first='Hailey' last='Rees'] (2025, 5-9) has put together such a memorable career, she can handle the ball and has good size to play the point guard spot. Also has a very proficient outside shot and can defend. [player_tooltip player_id='611608' first='Kaitlyn' last='Turinsky'] (2026, 6-3) is the one player who I honestly have missed, but she is a big factor for Bellvue. She has great size and length to defend the passing lanes. Lutheran East has a fantastic freshman [player_tooltip player_id='974098' first='Ja'Tayvea' last='Caldwell'] (2028, 5-10) who has proven her game this season. She is joined by [player_tooltip player_id='999592' first='Dakota' last='Porter'] (2026, 5-8) and Nae Ibekwe (2025, 6-1) to provide them firepower to make a run to Dayton.   Wauseon is led by Mackenzie Stasa (2025, 5-6) at the guard spot, along with Sophia Rupp (2026, 6-0) and Johanna Tester (2025, 5-9). Warrensville Heights brings in a lot of options including Demarionna Branch (2025, 5-9) as their main threat, along with Skyler Ballard (2028, 5-5) as a new face.   AT ZANESVILLE   Buckeye Valley v Carrollton   Fairfield Union v Indian Creek   Players to Watch: Buckeye Valley will bring in one of the top players in Ohio in D4, [player_tooltip player_id='659104' first='Ella' last='Hazelrigg'] (2025, 6-1) who is a power forward capable to big numbers. She has great size and length which makes her a factor in the paint. Nice soft touch around the rim, and can step out and drop the three. Lina Wagner (2027, 5-3) is a rising standout player who has been a big factor in their postseason success. Tegan McMillen is another youngster (2027, 5-6) who can handle the ball and contribute from the guard spot.   Fairfield Union brings in a double-double machine with [player_tooltip player_id='1213887' first='Christian' last='Thompson'] (2025, 6-1) who controls both ends of the floor. Her lengthy frame makes it tough for players to get the ball near the rim, and she is athletic enough to push tempo and create. Also Maycee Martindill (2026, 5-6) can create with the ball and plays multiple positions from the point guard to the wing. Indian Creek standout [player_tooltip player_id='407493' first='McKenna' last='Scott'] (2025, 5-9) who is a D1 softball commit, is their leader and isn't ready for her season to end. She is a scorer who can produce inside or out, an incredible athlete.   AT VANDALIA BUTLER   Kettering Alter v Indian Hill   Urbana v Cincinnati McNicholas   Players to Watch: This is a different year for Alter. They have their typical standout player in Maddie Moody (2025, 6-1) headed to Northern Kentucky who can score from behind the arc or with a great midrange shot. But this year, Alter has a lot of youth. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='833878' first='Izzie' last='Arcuri'] (2028, 5-7) is a mature player for her age, can lock you down and is a heady player. [player_tooltip player_id='1257610' first='Sarah' last='Brand'] (2028, 5-8) is another diaper dandy who plays above her years. She is very proficient from the three-point range and continues to grow her game every time I see her. Indian Hill doesn't have the bigtime scorer, they have good balance. Leading the way is Caroline Langworthy (2025, 5-6) who does have some three-point ability and has come on lately, scoring double figures in five of their last six games. Annie Rosfeld (2028, 5-11) is a newbie with good length, can knock down the three and is a player who is looking to add to her skillset. She is a talented younger player.   Urbana has the highest profile player in the D4 regionals as far as numbers. [player_tooltip player_id='319068' first='Peyton' last='Mounce'] (2025, 5-10) is the states second leading scorer at 26.3 and becomes one of only a handful of players from her area with 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds, which is very rare from a wing spot. [player_tooltip player_id='538750' first='Alex' last='Dixon'] (2026, 5-9) is back from injury and adds a lot to their offense, she can play the point or let fire from deep range. Olivia MacKendrick (2027, 5-10) continues to get better. She will drain the three, or score at the rim. McNicholas is the most deceiving 15-10 team in the regionals. They have to play Carroll, Badin, Chaminade Julienne and Alter twice a year in their league and they all advanced to regionals! They are led by [player_tooltip player_id='894597' first='Mia' last='Nienaber'] (2025, 5-7) who can shoot the three, and is very solid from the line. Grace McCafferty (2026, 6-0) is another player who does a good job in the paint. She is effective at the rim, nearly averages a double-double. Can score off an offensive rebound well also. Senior Jordan Wheatley (2025, 5-7) rounds out their biggest offensive threats.

We have reached Regional week in Ohio. Early this week will be the regional semis with the finals set for later in the week. Here is a look at the matchups in Division 4 throughout Ohio.