OHSAA Division III Playoff Preview: Regions 9 + 10
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The OHSAA playoffs begin this month and with the brackets being posted on Sunday, it’s time to take a look at who the teams that fans could see in Dayton for the final four will be. In this article we’ll…
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Continue ReadingThe OHSAA playoffs begin this month and with the brackets being posted on Sunday, it’s time to take a look at who the teams that fans could see in Dayton for the final four will be. In this article we’ll preview regions 9 and 10 of Division III.
Region 9 (Northeast)
The Favorite
Lutheran East: A team that has made the final four it’s home year in and year out, the Falcons are once again the prohibitive favorite to represent northeast Ohio in Division III. A strong senior core led by potential Mr Basketball winner Jesse McCulloch Jesse McCulloch 6'9" | PF Lutheran East | 2024 State #136 Nation OH gives the Falcons a great chance to repeat as state champions.
Contenders
Youngstown Cardinal Mooney: With a balanced scoring attack featuring a handful of seniors, Mooney will be tough to stop. Ursuline is the only team to beat them since Christmas break started.
LaBrae: The second seed in the region, they already took down third seed Crestwood in late December and could meet again for a district title.
Fairview: The top seed in their district, the Warriors are led by Sophomore duo of Will Allen Will Allen 5'9" | CG Fairview | 2026 State OH and Burke Lowry Burke Lowry 6'3" | SF Fairview | 2026 OH . Their up-tempo style makes them one of the top scoring teams in the region and in position to compete for their first ever district title.
Sleepers
Wooster Triway: Sophomore Brayden Holt Brayden Holt 6'0" | PG Triway | 2026 State OH is a big time scorer and Triway would play the district semifinals and championship game in Wooster.
Canton Central Catholic: With lots of size and a tough schedule that prepared them for the playoffs, Canton Central Catholic could be the team that takes the district over two of the top three seeds in the whole region.
Region 10 (Northwest)
The Favorite
Ottawa Glandorf: The Titans have been to the final four in the first three years of Colin White Colin White 6'5" | SG Ottawa Glandorf | 2024 State #156 Nation OH ‘s career, he’s got once last chance to get back and finally hoist the state championship trophy. Can he succeed in his last dance?
Contenders
Toledo Emmanuel Christian: Nate Miles Nate Miles 6'5" | SF Toledo Emmanuel Christian | 2026 State OH and Jalen C Brown Jalen C Brown 6'2" | SG Emmanuel Christian | 2024 State OH have eyes on a TAAC title before a then setting their sights on a district championship. Both are attainable if they close the season strong.
Margaretta: The second seed in their district, they attacked top seeded Ashland Crestview and would play them in the district semis. Sophomore due of Julian Washington Julian Washington 6'4" | CG Margaretta | 2026 State OH and Judah Keller Judah Keller 6'0" | CG Margaretta | 2026 State OH are a top pair in northwest Ohio.
Columbus Academy: The top seed from Columbus, Academy has an experienced team with Junior duo of Theo Falkenhain Theo Falkenhain 5'10" | PG Columbus Academy | 2025 State OH and Anderson Davis Anderson Davis 6'4" | SF Columbus Academy | 2025 State OH leading the way. Their tough conference schedule with a majority of Division I and II schools helped prepare them for a playoff run.
Sleepers
Genoa Area: Ryan Plantz Ryan Plantz 6'6" | SF Genoa | 2026 State OH is a star Sophomore who can single handedly take over a game, he’ll likely meet Ethan Stokes Ethan Stokes 6'5" | SF Oak Harbor | 2025 State OH and Oak Harbor in a district quarterfinal.
Coldwater: This district is LOADED with OG, Spencerville, Wayne Trace and Bluffton. I went with Coldwater because they are unbeaten in MAC play and are near the border of NW and SW district teams, giving them an element of surprise against a group of teams that are very familiar with each other.