OHSAA high school girls basketball brackets | 4 Stark-area teams poised for tournament run
The OHSAA girls basketball tournament field is set and the teams are ready to take to the court to settle who are the best teams in Ohio this season. There are plenty of good teams in the area who are capable of making a tournament run.
Four, though, separated themselves from the pack during the regular season and seem to have the best chance of playing deep into March and perhaps earning a spot in the state final four. Here's a breakdown of the four:
Lake Blue Streaks in OHSAA Division I
First tournament game: Opens at home against Akron Garfield, 1 p.m., Saturday
District site, dates: Perry High School, Feb. 27, March 1
Regional site, dates: Medina High School, March 5, March 9
The Federal League co-champions have suffered only two losses this season. Both came against quality programs in Jackson and Wadsworth. Lake has a versatile offense with three players averaging double figures — Serenitee Johnson (15.6 points per game), Emma Anderson (11.9) and Hayden Croyle (10.7). Lake can light it up from the perimeter and high-seeded teams seemed to avoid the Blue Streaks in the district draw. The exception to that is No. 4 Stow (16-5), which Lake could see in a district final.
Jackson Polar Bears in OHSAA Division I
First tournament game: Opens at home against Cleveland JFK/Berea-Midpark winner, 7 p.m., Thursday
District site, dates: Medina High School, Feb. 27, March 1
Regional site, dates: Sandusky High School, March 5, March 9
Some thought it might be a rebuilding year for Jackson. The Polar Bears had other ideas. Jackson shared the Federal League title in the regular season with Lake despite having just two key senior players in the rotation. Megan Campbell (13.5) and Ashley Lahmers (10.6) average double figures for Jackson. The Polar Bears shoot the ball well on the perimeter and play solid defense. No. 9 seeded-Jackson could face its biggest test in the district in No. 6 seeded Avon Lake in the district semifinals.
West Branch in OHSAA Division II
First tournament game: Opens at home against Coventry, 7 p.m., Wednesday
District site, dates: Nordonia High School, Feb. 28, March 2
Regional site, dates: Barberton High School, March 5, March 8
West Branch went a perfect 10-0 in the Eastern Buckeye Conference and had some notable recent nonleague wins vs. Fitch and Norton. It enters the tournament with a record of 19-2. The team has not lost a game since the calendar flipped to 2024, a streak that includes 11 straight victories. West Branch has a ton of size on the interior and has held nine opponents below 25 points in a game this season. Sophie Gregory, a 6-foot-2 senior, is a force for West Branch. Senior guard Chloe Dennison is also another player to watch. No. 4 West Branch doesn't have a lot of highly-seeded teams in its district. The notable exception is No. 10 Laurel, which West Branch could see in the district finals.
Tuslaw Mustangs in OHSAA Division III
First tournament game: Opens at home against Mentor Lake Catholic, 7 p.m., Wednesday
District site, dates: Lakeview High School, Feb. 28, March 2
Regional site, dates: Stow High School, March 6, March 9
The PAC-7 co-champions are a dangerous team with two big inside presences who can batter teams inside. Juniors Destiny Dulkoski (6-1) and Breanna McCabe (5-10) have caused teams problems in the paint all year. Tuslaw also has shooting on the outside in senior Emma Rowbotham and junior Malia Mizeres. To make a run, the Mustangs will be tested by a difficult tournament draw. No. 13-seeded Tuslaw will encounter No. 7 Columbia Station on the road in a sectional final if the Mustangs win their first-round game. No. 3 Columbiana Crestview awaits in a possible district semifinal. No. 2 Keystone and No. 4 Rootstown could be opponents in a district final. If the Mustangs can survive this loaded district, there is no telling how far they can go.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: 4 Canton-area girls basketball teams who can make OHSAA tournament run
