COLUMBUS, Ohio—The 2013 Ohio State Tournament tips off Thursday and as always the Buckeye State promises to deliver some competitive and exciting basketball in all four divisions. Held once again on the campus of Ohio State University, the OHSAA’s 38th version of March Madness will offer up semifinal contests in Divisions II and III on Thursday while the final four of teams in Divisions I and IV will go at it on Friday. Saturday will see championship games in all four classes starting at 10:45 in the morning and finishing up with the Division I final at 8:00 that evening.
Division I
Kettering Fairmont, Toledo Notre Dame & and two time defending champs Twinsburg return from last year’s tournament and are joined by first time participant Olentangy Orange. The defending champs from Twinsburg (28 – 0) come into the State Tournament with an unblemished record and riding a 42 game win streak. The Tigers are led by dynamic guard and Purdue signee Ashley Morrissette. She lines up with George Mason bound post Char-Dell Dunnigan, talented junior guard Baleigh Reed and standout sophomore Aloneet Durden. They’ll face the senior laden Pioneers from Olentangy Orange (25 – 2) in the first semifinal on Thursday. Future Indiana Hoosier Taylor Agler paces Orange along with fellow seniors Mya Walker and Maddie Joseph. Junior post and Austrian exchange student Sarah Sagerer is evolving and drawing some interest at 6-3.
The second semi has two returning teams from last year. Kettering Fairmont (25 – 1) is making their fourth consecutive appearance in the state final four and has hopes of changing the outcome of their past two final losses to Twinsburg. The Firebirds enjoy one of the deeper rosters in any division state wide. Highlighted by national profile juniors Kathryn Westbeld and Makayla Waterman in the frontcourt and Duquesne signee Chelsea Welch at the point they’re a challenging match up for any opposition. Add in the long range touch of senior shooter Alona Skipper and even a zone becomes a less appealing option. Toledo Notre Dame (24 – 3) makes their second ever and second consecutive trip to Columbus. Resurgent forward/wing Tierra Floyd is back on track as a national prospect after a detour through the training room over the past year and leads the way along with sophomore power forward Kayla McIntyre. Adding to Notre Dame’s youth fest are junior Jayda Worthy and sophomore Christina Jefferson.
Division II
You can’t talk about D-II and not acknowledge the fact that Hathaway Brown (21 – 6) has won four straight titles and is looking to add a fifth. In addition HB is the first school in Ohio history to make seven consecutive appearances in the OHSAA State Tournament. The Blazers return their entire starting lineup from last season and are led by Princeton commit Vanessa Smith. Cornell bound Nia Marshall and Colgate signee Stephanie Poland add firepower along with junior point guard Beth Brzozwski. The path to that fifth straight title has a major speed bump in the semis with undefeated Clyde (28 – 0) that’s making a second straight final four appearance. Junior forward and early Indiana verbal Amanda Cahill leads the way for her father’s team (Coach John Cahill) while getting backcourt help from juniors Lexi Weber, Breanne Michaels plus sophomore Kelsey Michaels.
The other semifinal match up has two programs making their seventh appearances in Columbus. West Holmes is looking to get past last year’s championship loss and brings in a 27 and 1 record. Junior forward Laina Snyder is a force. She gets help from a deep backcourt featuring juniors Emily Molnar, Rachel Morrison and Paiten Strother. The Knights will be facing another program who’s logged plenty of time in the state tournament through the years, Chaminade Julienne. The Eagles have dropped 9 games this season (19 – 9) but are playing their best basketball down the stretch. Kent State signee Krista White stands out at guard getting help from fellow seniors JaCole Tabor, Brittaney Jefferson, Erin Bailey as well as sophomore Halieigh Shaw.
D-III
Columbus Africentric (20 – 5) faces Beverly Fort Frye (25 – 3)
Africentric is led by future Cincinnati Bearcat Marley Hill. Juniors Darianne Seward and Sierra Harley as well as Dayuna Johnson add to the lady Nubians attack.
Senior Fairmont State commitment Deidra Combs sets the pace for Fort Frye and is joined in the effort by fellow seniors Taylor Buchanan, Morgan Liedtke and junior Brooke Borich.
Anna (23 – 4) faces Orrville (26 – 2)
Senior Natalie Billing leads Anna with help from sophomore guard Cayla Bensman.
Orrville has Akron signee Hannah Plybon setting the pace. She gets help from senior Maggie Devault and Triniti Hall.
Division IV
Berlin Hiland (25 – 3, 13th appearance) takes on Reedsville Eastern (23 – 4)
Hiland’s junior Regina Hochstetler stands out along with fellow junior Emily Yoder and sophomore Megan Beechy.
Reedsville Eastern has the services of University of Dayton junior verbal commit Jenna Burdette. Help comes from fellow juniors Jordan Parker and Erin Swatzel.
Ottoville (27 – 0) Faces Fort Loramie (25 – 3)
Bowling Green bound post Abby Siefker leads Ottoville with help from Rachel Beining, Taylor Mangas and Rachel Turnwald.
Junior guard/forward Darian Rose is the go to for Fort Loramie along with Renae Meyer, Meg Westerhiede, Paige Ordean and freshman Jessica Boerger.
As always, a big thanks to Tom Jenkins and Ohio Girls Basketball Report for the information, insight and effort on behalf of the players, programs and coaches in Ohio
