Ohio Final 4 Preview – Division 5 and 6

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The small school games should provide some excitement as the state tournament Final Four gets underway this weekend with the winners coming back next weekend for the chance at a state championship. Here are the matchups and preview of the Division 5 and 6 games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DIVISION 5 STATE SEMIS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":483261,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/08/Jeniya-Bowers8-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-483261" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2026 Ohio Girls PrepHoops Showcase</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Creston Norwayne vs Columbus Africentric, Saturday 2pm. @ Mansfield Senior</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This will be the first ever appearance in the Final Four for Norwayne, but Africentric,, it is a bit different. This will be their 14th state Final Four appearance which includes nine state championships. Let's see how their big-game experience helps them battle in the Final Four this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Players to Watch</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Norwayne</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='539710' first='Ava' last='Maibach'], 5-10 2026. Ranked #24 in the updated 2026 rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='539712' first='Allie' last='DeMassimo'], 5-6 2026. Ranked #34 in the updated 2026 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1257617' first='Hannah' last='Froelich'], 6-1 2028. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Africentric</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1120706' first='Jae'Veyonna' last='Brown'], 5-11 2026. Ranked on the WL in the updated 2026 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='537542' first='Jeniya' last='Bowers'], 5-8 2026. Ranked #6 in the updated 2026 rankings. <em>(Featured photo)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='319031' first='Shaunie' last='Little'], 5-3 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='539710' first='Ava' last='Maibach'] can make their offense go for Norwayne, who has never been to this big of a stage before. She is a player who is productive anywhere on the court, and is able to be effective both in the inside and out. Her length proves to be a problem for opponents. DeMassimo provides great leadership for her team, can score but most importantly is a guard with handles and sees the floor. Africentric has one of the top juniors in Ohio in Bowers, who is electric and can lead the spark they need to open up a game. Brown is underrated and looks to move up in the next update. She is long and athletic, can handle the paint and provides stability on the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":521571,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/10/Sienna-Allen-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-521571" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Girls Prep Hoops 250 Ohio</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Portsmouth v Proctorville Fairland; Saturday 4pm., @ Ohio University Convocation Center</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Portsmouth makes a return trip to the final four after getting to Dayton last season. Fairland also advanced to the state final four last year for the fifth time in their history. These two teams are from the same conference, and now meet in the state final four. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Players </em>to Watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fairland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='481365' first='Addison' last='Godby'], 6-0 2026. Ranked #13 in updated 2026 rankings</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='319037' first='Kamryn' last='Barnitz'], 5-8 2025. Ranked #28 in last 2025 update </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='481371' first='Bailey' last='Russell'], 5-8 2026. Ranked #23 in updated 2026 rankings</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Portsmouth</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='520305' first='Sienna' last='Allen'], 6-0 2026. Ranked #3 in the updated 2026 rankings <em>(Feature photo)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='319061' first='Daysha' last='Reid'], 5-7 2025. Ranked #42 in the last 2025 update</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayven Carter, 5-10 2027 Ranked #4 in the updated 2027 rankings</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keke Woods, 5-6 2027. Ranked #45 in the updated 2027 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the game that all of Southeast Ohio has been waiting for... round 3 between the two conference rivals. Portsmouth won both matchups this year, but you know what they say about beating a team for a third time. Only time will tell, and Saturday night around 5:30 we should have a winner! Both teams are loaded with next-level kids. Allen has several offers for Portsmouth, while Reid is a slasher at point guard who is headed to Georgetown (KY). Carter is also a post who controls the inside. Godby is a solid presence who can take over a game around the paint, and she has a very good basketball IQ. Barnitz is the ultimate floor general as a point guard who plays the game with a good swagger. Excellent perimeter shooter and distributes the ball well on the move. Russell is a guard who can score effectively from the perimeter. Love her motor and ability to play the game fast. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DIVISION 6</strong> <strong>STATE SEMIS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Rootstown v Beverly Fort Frye, Friday 7pm., @ Claymont HS</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rootstown is making their first appearance in school history to the state final four. Fort Frye has been to the final four twice with their last appearance happening in 2020, but that game was not played due to Covid. They were also in the Final Four in 2013.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Players to Watch</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rootstown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='319326' first='Nadia' last='Lough'], 5-10 2025 Ranked #70 in the last 2025 update in November. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='874991' first='Kelsey' last=''] Bittercuffer, 5-2 2025 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='895240' first='Colbie' last='Curall'], 5-9 2026. Ranked on the Watch List in the latest 2026 update</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Beverly Fort Frye</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='636711' first='Emmie' last='Duskey'], 5-4 2025. Ranked on the Watch List in the last 2025 update in November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ella Dowler, 5-5 2027 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lough has proven over the years to be one of the most versatile players in her area. She has good size to play on the outside, but also can control the paint. Defends well and with the ball in her hands, she is a natural floor leader. Duskey is a guard that will have to be contained as she loves to play downhill and has the knack to get to the rim and finish. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Columbus Grove v Minster, Friday 6pm. @ Elida Fieldhous</em>e</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Columbus Grove makes their first appearance at the state final four while Minster is no stranger to this level of play. The Wildcats won the state titles in 2019, 2018, 2004 and 1998. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Players to Watch</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Columbus Grove</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='319302' first='Lauryn' last='Auchmuty'], 5-7 2025 Ranked #45 in the last 2025 update in November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nicole Nesby, 6-0 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Minster</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reece Albers, 5-11 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Addi Inskeep, 5-11 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game will pit a very suffocating Minster defense against one of the top scorers in Northwest Ohio. The Wildcats have been holding teams below their average, led by Albers who is a long defender with active hands and an ability to turn mistakes into points. Auchmuty has dominated the area as the Findlay signee can score in bunches and will be a tough player to defend. She will likely move up in the final rankings for her class coming later this month. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->