Shane's Divison 1 Final Four Previews and Predictions

The state semifinals for the first year of the 7 divisions are about to tip-off. This article is going to give you my preview and predictions for the Division 1 final four and championship games!   The state semifinal games both take place at <a href="https://officials.myohsaa.org/Admin/Bracket/PublicBracket?TournamentId=4130">noon on Sunday, March 16th</a> and then the State Championship game will be on Saturday, March 22nd at 8:30 pm at Dayton University – <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/University+of+Dayton+Arena,+1801+S+Edwin+C+Moses+Blvd,+Dayton,+OH+45417/@39.7357011,-84.2031548,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x884086bdb949a8a3:0x7af22c7d0ec36ef!8m2!3d39.7357011!4d-84.2005799!16zL20vMDYzNXk0?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDMwNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D">UD Arena</a>.   Sunday 12 pm - Reynoldsburg vs Lakota West – <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/cPfPFWWas9PxMFKS7">Wright State University</a>   This game will have a ton of talent on the floor. Combined these teams have 15 players ranked or waitlisted on the PrepHoops database. Both these teams are in the final four this year and can expect to be one of the best teams in the state again next year because they won't be losing much.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/Toby-Nwokolo-G48.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/Toby-Nwokolo-G48.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2802774" style="width:365px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Reynoldsburg comes into this game after a double OT win against Olentangy Liberty in the Regional Finals. They have had some scares so far in the tournament and in games you think they should win by a lot has been closer than expected. This team can score the ball a ton for a high school team because of their offensive weapons but also their ability to have their defense turn into offense quick. They were top 3 in <a href="https://x.com/MartinRPI/status/1894062230628659541/photo/1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">point differential</a> and <a href="https://x.com/MartinRPI/status/1894059471854297215/photo/1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">points scored</a> this regular season according to Martin RPI.   This Reynoldsburg team is best when they are running up and down the floor, shooting the ball quickly, turning you over, and meeting you at the rim to score over you. Players like [player_tooltip player_id='1432037' first='Toby' last='Nwokolo'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1705958' first='Jorden' last='Bowens'] are best in this position and have problems on the offensive boards. [player_tooltip player_id='1705956' first='Xavier' last='McKinney'] is having a big-time season and is a great defender and really putting his offensive game together. Then Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1432017' first='Jordan' last='Fisher'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1475111' first='Damon' last='Griffin'] both are good at creating shots for themselves in the halfcourt and will be relied on a bunch in this game.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/Bryce-Curry-RnS.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/Bryce-Curry-RnS.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2432069" style="width:346px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Lakota West has a 21-5 record and is in their first state semifinals in program history. Coming into this game with some revenged losses this tournament. They have beaten some good teams like St. Xavier, Oak Hills, and Fairfield to get to the state final four. They are a team just putting it together and playing their best ball in February and March. A dangerous team to play with because they are very talented.   This team is highlighted by Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2140178' first='Bryce' last='Curry'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2125748' first='Joshua' last='Tyson']. These players are similar in size and length. Both can do it all athletically but affect the games in different ways. Curry can score the ball at a high level as a smooth player and has great shooting. He is the guy for this squad.  Tyson has a big impact on the defensive end and is tough to stop from getting to the rim on offense. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2172061' first='Isaiah' last='Meade-Moss'] does a great job of being the senior leader. He is a tough defensive player who can get some buckets himself along with Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2445460' first='Tyson' last='Davis']. 6'5” Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2742972' first='Lj' last='Green'] is also a nice solid player for LW. [player_tooltip player_id='1950396' first='Alex' last='Dudukovich'] is a nice guard to stretch the floor when needed.   Prediction: Reynoldsburg gets it done. I think the Raiders are going to come into this game with a size advantage and will be able to speed this game up. They will be able to get going in transition and this is when they are the best. I think Reynoldsburg is a problem for anyone on the boards and that will be a big problem for Lakota West in this one. High scoring and talented game.   Sunday 12 pm – St. Ignatius vs Olentangy Orange – <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/1815+Harrison+Ave+NW,+Canton,+OH+44708/@40.818631,-81.3994951,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x8836d092cc1c7847:0xdcbfe5777fc8be1f!8m2!3d40.818631!4d-81.3969202!16s%2Fg%2F11f15flxjp?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDMwNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D">Canton Field House</a>   This could be one of the best games in the state this weekend. St. Ignatius are the defending D1 Champions and find themselves ready to repeat. Olentangy Orange has not lost a game to an Ohio team this year, including a nine-point win over Ignatius this year. This will be a high-level high school basketball game.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImageWbdlmJ-crop-3226x2118-1741653505.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImageWbdlmJ-crop-3226x2118-1741653505.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2807664" style="width:334px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   St. Ignatius are the defending D1 State champions with a 22-4 record and with some revenge on their minds in this match-up. They are battle-tested as they are top 3 <a href="https://x.com/MartinRPI/status/1894056183666790492/photo/1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">in the toughest schedule</a> this year but top 5 in <a href="https://x.com/MartinRPI/status/1894059471854297215/photo/1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">most points scored</a> D1 according to Martin RPI. They have championship experience and will have the advantage of this game being in Canton.   The championship duo of Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1432034' first='Damon' last='Friery'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1491439' first='Quinn' last='Woidke'] is the bread and butter for this squad. Friery is a 6'9 Dayton Flyer commit and the <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio/rankings/2025-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2nd ranked player in the 2025 class</a> according to Mike Roth. He is a mismatch for most with his size, length, and inside and out skillset to match it. Then Woidke is a dog at the point guard position. He has a ton of confidence and competitive player. He makes shots from all over the floor and needs no space to get it off. Fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='2458385' first='Kalli' last='Johnson'] is a nice athlete for the Wildcats along with a shooter off the bench [player_tooltip player_id='2434200' first='Jimmy' last='Thomas']. [player_tooltip player_id='2458387' first='Rj' last='Jones'] is a nice versatile athlete for this squad that allows them some defensive flexibility. [player_tooltip player_id='2461888' first='Alex' last='Mack'] is a similar player and adds some nice shooting for this squad.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/Devin-Brown-G1-crop-3884x2550-1733767850.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/Devin-Brown-G1-crop-3884x2550-1733767850.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2686879" style="width:346px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Olentangy Orange has not lost to a team from Ohio this year and hopes to keep this trend continuing the rest of the way. They are uniquely top 3 in <a href="https://x.com/MartinRPI/status/1894056183666790492/photo/1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">toughest schedules</a> this year D1 but also top 5 in <a href="https://x.com/MartinRPI/status/1894062230628659541/photo/1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">point differential</a> according to Martin RPI. This shows you they have been one of the best teams in the state all year in D1. They have been good for multiple years but it seems like this year might be the one to get over the hump.   Orange is highlighted by possible Mr. Ohio winner Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1480848' first='Devin' last='Brown']. The Davidson commit is the leader of this squad and the player that makes this go. His size and playmaking ability are one of the best in the state. When Orange needs a bucket, Brown has the ball in his hands. He either scores it himself or dishes it to shooters like Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2621329' first='Treyton' last='Schroeder']. Then fellow Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1535701' first='Levi' last='Davis'] is a straight-up winner. He can score it well and does for this team but a smart player that has good strength for a guard. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2381886' first='Ellis' last='Appiah'] is one of the most underrated scoring slashers in the state. He gets to the rim and has some great acrobatic finishes. This team has great size and athletes. They have Eastern Michigan Baseball commit [player_tooltip player_id='2373419' first='Keegan' last='Knupp'] and Ohio Dominican football commit [player_tooltip player_id='2468565' first='Terryn' last='Thomas']. This is also for physicality and size. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2443748' first='Grant' last='Miller'] is a nice athlete who disrupts things off the bench and plays hard.   Prediction: Olentangy Orange goes 2-0 over Ignatius this year and makes it down to Dayton. I think the Pioneers' size, length, and depth will be too much in this one. I think this team is very close and focused and Coach Anthony Calo has this team ready to go. They have been on a roll and have not had a game within 14 points these playoffs so far.   Shane's State Championship Game: Reynoldsburg vs Olentangy Orange   This game will be played at Dayton University on Saturday at 8:30 pm. As someone who primarily covers Central Ohio basketball this is a homer matchup in the state championship game.   Shane's Division 1 State Champion Pick: Olentangy Orange Pioneers   Coach Anthony Calo has had a belief in this team all year. I think this program has a great culture and has all the characteristics of a championship team. They have a go-to guy, good guard play, size, and length. They are tough, play hard, play together, and play their best ball in March.

The state semifinals for the first year of the 7 divisions are about to tip-off. This article is going to give you my preview and predictions for the Division 1 final four and championship games!