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OHSAA girls basketball brackets | Previewing the Akron-area sectional-district tournaments

michael leonard, akron beacon journal
·3 min read
Norton girls basketball coach Brian Miller reacts during the first half of a game last month.
Norton girls basketball coach Brian Miller reacts during the first half of a game last month.

The brackets are set for the OHSAA girls basketball postseason tournament.

Greater Akron has had good recent history in girls basketball. With numerous teams ranked in the Associated Press top 10, this year looks to be no different.

Thanks to the "super-district" draw Sunday, local team will play in 11 different districts. Here's a quick breakdown of each:

OHSAA Division I, Northeast 1

Walsh Jesuit's Cesily Sutton dribbles between Hoban's Niera Stevens, left, and Mayana Pooler last month.
Walsh Jesuit's Cesily Sutton dribbles between Hoban's Niera Stevens, left, and Mayana Pooler last month.

District location: Perry (Lake County)

Greater Akron teams, seeds: Walsh Jesuit (33), Revere (45), Twinsburg (49)

What to watch for: Brush has been a fixture in the district semifinals the last few years. The Arcs come in as the No. 5 seed overall in the district and don't look like they'll be significantly challenged until the district final.

OHSAA Division I, Northeast 2

Stow's Anna Hurst passes as Copley's Izzy Callaway defends earlier this season.
Stow's Anna Hurst passes as Copley's Izzy Callaway defends earlier this season.

District location: Massillon Perry

Greater Akron teams, seeds: Stow (4), Highland (19), Garfield (71)

What to watch for: All signs point to a potential district final between Suburban League champion Stow and Federal League champion Uniontown Lake. The Blue Streaks are the No. 2 seed and ranked fifth in the AP poll, but the Bulldogs are healthy and hungry after last year's early exit.

OHSAA Division I, Northeast 3

Hoban's Niera Stevens drives to the basket against Walsh Jesuit.
Hoban's Niera Stevens drives to the basket against Walsh Jesuit.

District location: Ravenna

Greater Akron teams, seeds: Archbishop Hoban (1), Medina (8), Ellet (20), Hudson (39) Barberton (70), Akron North (72)

What to watch for: Hoban looks to continue its string of district titles as the No. 1 overall seed. The Knights could face an east Akron throwdown with Caitlyn Holmes and Ellet in the district semifinal, followed by a tough Medina test in the final.

Green's Riley Chmielewski shoots as Hoban's Emma Rasmussen, MaKenzie Grant and MaKenzie Edinburgh defend during last year's district final.
Green's Riley Chmielewski shoots as Hoban's Emma Rasmussen, MaKenzie Grant and MaKenzie Edinburgh defend during last year's district final.

OHSAA Division I, Northeast 4

District location: Valley Forge

Greater Akron teams and seeds: Green (22), Nordonia (56), Firestone (60)

What to watch for: State power Magnificat looks to be the favorite, but the bottom half of the bracket is wide open. Don't be surprised if Green finds its way to another district final.

OHSAA Division I, Northeast 6

Wadsworth's Jessica Crookston makes a pass to a teammate earlier this season.
Wadsworth's Jessica Crookston makes a pass to a teammate earlier this season.

District location: Elyria Catholic

Greater Akron teams, seeds: Wadsworth (15), Cuyahoga Falls (59)

What to watch for: Olmsted Falls comes in as the No. 3 overall seed and favorite, but Wadsworth has a straightforward path to the district final. This district feeds into the Sandusky region.

OHSAA Division II, Northeast 2

District location: Nordonia

Greater Akron teams, seeds: Buchtel (33), Coventry (59)

What to watch for: Coventry earned itself a major challenge by drawing fourth-seeded and state-ranked West Branch in the first round. The Warriors look like a prohibitive favor to win the district.

OHSAA Division II, Northeast 3

STVM guard Erica King drives to the basket against Brush.
STVM guard Erica King drives to the basket against Brush.

District location: Uniontown Lake

Greater Akron teams, seeds: St. Vincent-St Mary (1)

What to watch for: Being the top seed has its perks. STVM should be an overwhelming favorite here and not likely to face a serious challenge until the district final.

OHSAA Division II, Northeast 4

Copley's Evelyn McKnight attempts a layup ahead of Revere's Lauren Tompkins last month.
Copley's Evelyn McKnight attempts a layup ahead of Revere's Lauren Tompkins last month.

District location: Elyria

Greater Akron teams, seeds: Copley (2), Tallmadge (19), Woodridge (29), Akron East (64)

What to watch for: This district feeds to the Mansfield Senior region, meaning a potential dream match between Copley and STVM couldn't take place until the state semifinals. Copley is favored here, but this district has some depth, including sixth-seeded Geneva on the other side.

CVCA’s Joi Williams surpassed 1,000 career points this season.
CVCA’s Joi Williams surpassed 1,000 career points this season.

OHSAA Division II, Northeast 5

District location: Normandy

Greater Akron teams, seeds: CVCA (7), Norton (17), Springfield (40), Northwest (51)

What to watch for: CVCA has the best seed, but its path to the district title is fascinating. The Royals could face rival Northwest in the sectional final and Norton in the district semifinal, before facing a possible district final rematch vs. Elyria Catholic.

OHSAA Division III, Northeast 4

District location: Wooster

Greater Akron teams, seeds: Manchester (36)

What to watch for: Manchester got hit with the tough draw. The Panthers face fourth-seeded Chippewa in their first-round match.

Our Lady of the Elms junior Palmer Hampton cheers on her teammates next to her mom KT Hampton Jan. 22.
Our Lady of the Elms junior Palmer Hampton cheers on her teammates next to her mom KT Hampton Jan. 22.

OHSAA Division IV, Northeast 2

District location: Mineral Ridge

Greater Akron teams, seeds: Our Lady of the Elms (26)

What to watch for: Elms received a bye in its return to the postseason, but likely will face fourth-seeded Warren JFK in a sectional final.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio high school girls basketball tournament brackets, draw released