OHSAA Division II Playoff Preview: Regions 7 + 8
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The OHSAA playoff brackets were released on Sunday and it’s time to preview each of the 16 regions. In this article we’ll break down regions 7 and 8. Region 7 (Southeast) The Favorite Bishop Hartley: With tough defense and a…
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Continue ReadingThe OHSAA playoff brackets were released on Sunday and it’s time to preview each of the 16 regions. In this article we’ll break down regions 7 and 8.
Region 7 (Southeast)
The Favorite
Bishop Hartley: With tough defense and a strong schedule Hartley is the favorite to emerge from this region with a core based around the Calloway brothers, Pharez Nicholas Pharez Nicholas 6'4" | PF Bishop Hartley | 2025 State OH and Jeffrey Reynolds Jeffrey Reynolds 6'5" | PF Olentangy Liberty | 2027 State OH . None of those players are seniors, so it’ll be interesting to see how they handle the bright lights of the playoffs.
Contenders
Zanesville Maysville: A team that won a district last year is once again the top seed in the east district, they were once again at the top of the MVL standings.
Tri Valley: The top two seeds in the East (Maysville and Indian Valley) let Tri Valley get their own district, that speaks volumes to me what area coaches think of the Scotties.
Marietta: Alex Kendall Alex Kendall 6'7" | PF Marietta | 2024 State OH is a unique advantage that the Tigers have on the interior over the rest of the southeast district.
Vincent Warren: A deep team that’s played a tough schedule to prepare them for this playoff run.
Sleepers
Linden McKinley: Unfortunately, they had to opt out of the Columbus City League Championship due to playing the max amount of regular season games, but they could make a playoff push with a team that is scrappy and tough.
St Clairsville: Recently winning an OVAC championship and with a star like Tyson Pastor Tyson Pastor 6'3" | SG St Clairsville | 2025 State OH on their team, St Clairsville could be a team to watch in a tough district.
New Lexington: With a guard like Isaiah Stephens Isaiah Stephens 5'11" | PG New Lexington | 2025 State OH who can get a bucket when needed and a schedule that included mostly east district teams from the MVL, New Lexington is the wildcard in the southeast district.
Region 8 (Southwest)
The favorite
Kettering Alter: While they’ve slipped a bit against some tough teams to wrap up the season, no team in this region can match the firepower that Rj Greer Rj Greer 6'4" | SG Kettering Alter | 2025 State #167 Nation OH , Brady Conner Brady Conner 6'6" | SF Kettering Alter | 2025 State OH , Charlie Uhl Charlie Uhl 6'7" | C Kettering Alter | 2025 State OH , Gavin Leen Gavin Leen 6'1" | SG Kettering Alter | 2024 State OH and company bring.
Contenders
Cincinnati Wyoming: A team that is led by a core group of Sophomores with Kellen Wiley Kellen Wiley 6'1" | PG Cincinnati Wyoming | 2026 State OH , Darren Gray Darren Gray 5'11" | PG Cincinnati Wyoming | 2026 OH and Carlyle Billingsley Carlyle Billingsley 6'6" | C Cincinnati Wyoming | 2026 OH leading the charge. They lost three in a row in early February but are back on track.
Trotwood Madison: A team that has played a tough schedule, recent wins over Lima Sr, Mansfield Sr and Wayne show the potential of their group.
Sleepers
Cincinnati Woodward: A potential district semifinal of Woodward and Wyoming is very intriguing, Ru Mills Ru Mills 6'2" | SF Cincinnati Woodward | 2024 State OH and company have the athleticism and scoring ability to win a district.
Cincinnati Taft: Jordyn Buchanan Jordyn Buchanan 6'5" | SF Cincinnati Taft | 2024 State OH has been a star in the CMAC and found his stride in the later part of the season, he has the scoring ability to take over a game and the Senators could meet Alter in a district title. Those two teams played a great game last season in the playoffs.
Bishop Watterson: A potential district title between Watterson and Bishop Ready would be very competitive and provide a strong environment. They’ll have to get through Bloom-Carroll and Jonathan Alder respectively to make it there. Dominic Theado Dominic Theado 6'5" | PF Bishop Watterson | 2025 State OH is a player to watch for Watterson, he helped them recently knock off Bishop Hartley.
Bishop Fenwick: A team that’s been playing better as of late, I plan on seeing this team in person on Saturday against McNicholas. Should give me a sense of if they look like a team that can win a district title. Bailey Temming Bailey Temming 6'10" | C Bishop Fenwick | 2024 State OH is a wildcard with his size and rim protection, can dominate a game from both ends in the paint.