Central Division 5 Sectional Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look at the opening round matchups in Division 5, including players to watch! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Opening Round Matchups:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Central 1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">2/18 @ 5:30PM , @ Columbus School For Girls</mark></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grove City Christian (16) vs. Columbus School For Girls (9) *Winner plays on 2/21 @ 1:00 , @ TBA vs. Gahanna Columbus Academy (1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">2/21 @ 4:00PM , @ Johnstown</mark></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Columbus Tree of Life Christian (17) vs. Johnstown (6) *Winner plays on 2/24 @ 7:00PM , @ TBA </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">2/21 @ 1:00PM , @ Utica</mark></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Centerburg (8) vs. Utica (4) *Winner plays on 2/24 @ 7:00PM , @ TBA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">2/21 @ 4:00PM, @ North Union</mark></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Amanda- Clearcreek (14) vs. Richwood North Union (3) *Winner plays on 2/24 @ 7:00PM, @ TBA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Central 2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">2/18 @ 7:00PM @ Columbus Africentric </mark></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baltimore Liberty Union (12) vs. Columbus Africentric (2) *Winner plays on 2/21 @ 1:00PM @ TBA vs. Heath (18)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">2/21 @ 4:00PM , @ Marion Pleasant</mark></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Galion Northmor (15) vs. Marion Pleasant (10) *Winner plays on 2/24 @ 7:00PM , @ TBA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">2/21 @ 1:00PM , @ Milford Center Fairbanks</mark></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fredericktown (11) vs. Milford Center Fairbanks (7) *Winner plays on 2/24 @ 7:00PM , @ TBA </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">2/21 @ 4:00PM , @ London Madison- Plains</mark></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hebron Lakewood (13) vs. London Madison-Plains (5) *Winner plays on 2/24 @ 7:00PM , @ TBA </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players To Watch:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1120706"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6994aba29f12f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Africentric knows a thing or two about finding their way to the Final 4, and Brown is a key factor in journey back to Dayton! This young lady is a fierce defender and rebounder, with great footwork in the paint! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1757255,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/CDD336D4-EBC4-4902-9BB8-2FC00D4CC936_1_201_a.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1757255" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["835244"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6994aba29f1e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stroup has put up some serious numbers this season, averaging just under 23 PPG, 7 Reb., and just as impressive- 6 steals and 4.8 assists per game. She has been a machine on both ends of the ball, and a nightmare to guard! <em>(Below in white jersey)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1757258,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/059479A6-D346-41E0-9D36-20B259ABEC58_1_201_a.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1757258" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["861178"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6994aba29f25c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Owens has such an explosive first step- her speed is a major asset to her game on both ends of the court. Terrific, under control handles, and her poise has certainly contributed to wins this season! Just as lethal offensively as she is picking pockets defensively! <em>(Below on defense, Featured Photo)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1757259,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/97BDFB60-6659-40EE-9034-D9823C44F38F_1_201_a.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1757259" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Tiara Sheppard","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12124","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Centerburg","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6994f629c939c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Keep your eyes on this one! I love how she comes out of nowhere and picks off passes and converts! There's never a time she's not hustling for loose balls, active rebounder, and the backboard is her friend- makes the buckets inside with ease!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Mara Vicari ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Fairbanks","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6994f629c9492"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Vicari has a never dying motor that makes her a major force on defense! She does a great job keeping her dribble alive, finding her teammates, and capitalizing on fast break opportunities! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["809015"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6994f629c94f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ritzer, who has verbally committed to play for Youngstown State, continues to raise her game- It doesn't matter where she is on the court: from shooting 3's to blocking shots in the paint, to kissing the ball off the backboard with up and under moves- she is a problem! <em>(Below, #25)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1757260,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/image_ac096d.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1757260" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1120747"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1757274,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6994f629c955c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Harrah is probably one of the most well rounded 3 sport athletes that I know! Just in the last week, she reached the 1000 point mark, and is more than ready to start her "new season" of Tourney Time this week! Great things happen when the ball is in her hands! <em>(Below on defense)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1757262,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/IMG_1030.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1757262" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->