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Region 5 – Stow-Munroe Falls
The Strongsville District semifinals should come down to Fairview vs. Copley and Rocky River vs. Keystone. Rocky River is a slight favorite to win the district based on their strong schedule and the number of seniors in their lineup. The Pirates have beaten Fairview and Elyria twice each, and Normandy. They have close losses to Amherst twice, Magnificat and Solon, and they were upset by Bay. Copley beat Hoover in three.
The Beachwood District could be interesting. Walsh Jesuit appears to be the strongest team, although Kenston is the #1 seed. Walsh handed Lake Catholic their only loss early in the season (Lake won a rematch), and also beat Holy Name, Madison, and Hoover. In their last match they beat #3 seed Villa Angela-St. Joseph 15-4, 15-7. Kenston has beaten Solon, and was third at Stow’s tournament, beating Wooster, losing to Tallmadge and beating Stow. VASJ recently took Lake Catholic to the wire in a three game loss, and could play the role of spoiler.
Lake Catholic and Hubbard look like heavy favorites in their districts. Lake has a lot of players back from last year’s Regional championship team, including star hitter and passer Jessica Sabath. Lake’s only loss was in a tournament final to Walsh Jesuit, and they avenged that in another tournament final. They have wins over Magnificat, Padua, VASJ and Holy Name.
Based on scores, Hubbard looks stronger than last year when they were Regional runner up to Lake Catholic. Their lineup includes an outstanding player who is an exchange student from the Czech Republic. They have clobbered most opponents, including # 2 seed Salem, #4 seed Ravenna Southeast and Strongsville. They also beat Girard.
Possible Regional Pairings: Rocky River vs. Walsh Jesuit Lake Catholic vs. Hubbard
Region 6 - Wooster
The Wooster Regional includes districts from the East District, plus one of the two Central District champions. Second seeded Big Walnut is the highest seed in the Central District bracket. They are favored but are on a losing streak, having lost a quad to Watterson, Centerburg and Westerville South. Their other losses are to Jonathan Alder, Lakota West, and Mount Vernon with whom they split. Granville or Watkins Memorial are possible spoilers.
Orrville is picked to win the Canton South District even though they are the #2 seed. Their wins include #4 seed Canton Central Catholic, plus Ashland and Wooster. They have lost to Mansfield Madison twice in two games, and West Holmes twice in three games. West Branch is the #1 seed. They beat Walsh Jesuit early in the year, and also have wins over Canal Fulton and Canfield. One of their losses was to Boardman.
Tallmadge is a strong favorite to win their District, after taking Mt. Notre Dame to the wire in a three game loss at Stow. Their other loss is to Green.
Undefeated West Holmes is the favorite in the West Lafayette District. They have wins over Kidron Central Christian, Orrville twice, Tuscarawas Valley, Boardman, River View in two and Massillon Jackson. Their biggest contender is likely to be Claymont, who lost to Tuscarawas Valley, and beat River View in three.
Possible Regional Pairings: Tallmadge vs. West Holmes Orrville vs. Sunbury Big Walnut
Region 7 – Liberty Benton
Three districts in this region are from Northwest District. Mansfield Madison looks like the top team in Northwest. Mansfield has beaten Orrville twice in two. That may be a telling sign considering that unbeaten West Holmes has gone to three twice with Orrville. Mansfield also beat Wooster. They have lost to Magnificat twice and Ursuline, and those losses don’t mean they can’t win this region. Fostoria was on a tear until last week when they were upended by both Norwalk and Bellevue. Bellevue, Norwalk and Galion could be spoilers in the Ontario bracket.
Norwalk has been very hot lately, finishing at 16-6, after a 7-6 start. They beat Fostoria 15-9, 15-12 and won the NOL with a 13-1 mark. They beat Mansfield Madison in their regular finale 15-10, 15-6.
Defiance looks to be a slight favorite in the Liberty-Benton bracket, but St. Marys, Celina and Ottawa-Glandorf are all close, and Elida is a possibility.
Clyde may be the top team at the Perrysburg bracket, with Fostoria losing their last three matches in a row. They will need to get past Fostoria in the semifinal and Wauseon or Maumee in the final.
The other entrant to this region is the Pickerington District winner from Central District. That should be #1 seeded Canal Winchester. Bexley is the highest seed besides Canal in this bracket, and they lost to Fairbanks, a team Canal dispatched 15-4, 15-8. Canal has also beaten #5 seed Licking Valley, as well as Dresden Tri-Valley.
Possible Regional Pairings Clyde vs. Canal Winchester Mansfield Madison vs. Defiance
Region 8 – Wilmington
This region has three teams from Southwest District and one from Southeast. Roger Bacon is a heavy favorite to win their district. They will probably play Indian Hill in the semifinal and either Kenton Ridge or Urbana in the final. The Spartans are the only team to beat Cin. St. Ursula this year. Their losses are to powerhouses Ursuline and Archbishop Alter. They have convincing wins over Oak Hills, McNicholas twice, Seton and Mt. Notre Dame.
Chaminade-Julienne is the favorite in the Dayton #3 District. They should meet Badin in the semifinal, and McNicholas or possibly Purcell Marian in the final. Chaminade made a strong showing at Mother of Mercy's Fall Classic in beating Newport Central Catholic, and Div. I powers Magnificat and McAuley. Their only loss was to Kentucky power Louisville Mercy Academy 8-15, 9-15. Their other wins include Kettering Fairmont, Sidney Lehman, Bellbrook, Lakota East, and Bishop Hartley. They have losses to Alter and Seton. McNicholas has a lot of losses, but to strong teams.
Dayton District #2 features Kettering Alter, fresh from a big win over league archrival Roger Bacon. They have also beaten Marion Local, Sidney Lehman, Chaminade-Julienne, Bellbrook and McNicholas (twice). Their losses are to volleyball powers Roger Bacon, Ursuline and Vandalia-Butler. Alter’s primary challenger will be either Benjamin Logan or Sprinfield Shawnee in the District Final. Ben Logan has the better record of the two, but Shawnee has been hot lately and recently handed the Raiders their only loss. Ben Logan won Elgin’s tournament after a close call with Fredericktown.
Undefeated Pomeroy Meigs is the favorite to win the Chillicothe District. They may be tested by in the semifinal by whoever wins at the Adena District, most likely Washington Court House or Miami Trace. The district final should be between Meigs and the winner of McDermott, Logan Elm, Fairfield Union, and Jackson.
Possible Regional Pairings: St. Bernard Roger Bacon vs. Dayton Chaminade-Julienne Kettering Archbishop Alter vs. Pomeroy Meigs
Possible State Final Four
Hubbard (Region 5) West Holmes (Region 6) Mansfield Madison (Region 7) St. Bernard Roger Bacon (Region 8)
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