Division I
Coming off a state-record seventh state title, Pickerington Central (27-1) has one goal in mind: To repeat. The Tigers feature a prolific senior duo in Penn State-bound Madison Greene, a 5-foot-7 point guard who averages 16 points and 5.8 assists per game, and muchimproved 6-footer Maliya Perry, an Auburn signee with averages of 14.4 points and 8.0 rebounds. The third option is junior sharpshooter Nicole Stephens, an Akron commitment. The Tigers allow just 37.3 points per game. Toledo Notre Dame (23-5) knocked off Canton Mckinley 40-38 in a regional final to reach the final four for the sixth time in eight years. The Eagles’ catalyst is senior point guard Jala Johnson, who averages 15.4 points per game. Six-two freshman forward Grace Vanslooten (12.1 points, 8.2 rebounds) has been a key contributor. Featuring a balanced lineup with seven players averaging between six and 12 points per game, Canton Glenoak (24-2) is riding a program record 19-game winning streak. Glenoak reached the final four three straight years from 1988 to ’90), but hadn’t returned since.
By avenging its most recent defeat by beating Centerville 70-63 in a regional final, Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame (25-2) returns to Columbus for the ninth time. The Cougars are six-time champions, the most recent coming in 2017. Mount Notre Dame has two majorcollege signees in senior guard Gabbie Marshall (Iowa) and forward Julia Hoefling (Loyolachicago) and a third commit in Makira Cook (Miami University). Its leading scorer is freshman KK Bransford (17 points.). Carolina, averages 21.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. Her sidekick is sophomore Madison Royal-davis (18.1 points). The up-tempo Rams score 71.2 points per game. In knocking off unbeaten New Philadelphia 48-46 in overtime in the regional final, Thornville Sheridan (25-2) makes its first state tournament since 2004 and third overall. The Generals set a program record for fewest points allowed per game (33.8) and most wins in a season. Sheridan features six players scoring between 5.3 and 12.8 points per game. rebounds). Coach Tim Gabbard, in his 39th season, has won 575 games in his career, but this is just the program’s second trip to the final four. Doylestown Chippewa (25-1) also is led by a veteran coach in Denny Shrock, who has 631 wins during his 31 years at the school. The Wayne County Athletic League champions allow just 33.9 points per game. Celina Kontz, a 5-11 junior, leads the Chipps with 16.9 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.