Ohio High School Basketball Tournament: When Does It Tip Off?

when is ohio high school basketball tournament

The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) basketball tournament is an annual event featuring boys' and girls' basketball teams from across the state. The tournament typically takes place in March, with the 2025 tournament seeing an expansion from four to seven divisions. The boys' state finals are a highly anticipated event, with teams vying for the Division I state championship title. In 2025, the Olentangy Orange and Reynoldsburg faced off in a historic match-up, with both teams reaching new heights and marking the first time Columbus-area teams competed in the state final. The OHSAA tournament is a showcase of Ohio's top high school basketball talent, with players committing to prestigious college basketball programs.

Characteristics Values
Date 22 March 2025
Divisions I, III, IV, VI, VII
Teams Olentangy Orange, Reynoldsburg, Cincinnati Aiken, Louisville, Cleveland Glenville, Zanesville Maysville, Maria Stein Marion Local, Woodsfield Monroe Central, Russia, Willoughby Cornerstone Christian
Venue University of Dayton Arena
Time 8:30 p.m.
Ticket Price $10 for students, $16 for adults

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The 2025 OHSAA boys basketball state finals

The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Boys Basketball Tournament is an eagerly anticipated annual event, with schools and teams progressing through the playoff brackets to reach the state finals. The tournament is structured with divisions, ranging from Division I to Division VII, ensuring a wide range of teams have the opportunity to compete.

The road to the state finals is a challenging and exhilarating journey for the participating teams. Schools across Ohio field their best boys' basketball teams, with each team aiming to demonstrate their skills, strategy, and teamwork to advance through the playoffs. The intensity of the competition increases as the tournament progresses, with each round eliminating the losing teams and bringing the winning teams one step closer to the state championship.

The tournament is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the young athletes, as well as the coaches and school staff who have guided them. It is a platform for these talented individuals to display their abilities on a grand stage, leaving everything on the court in pursuit of basketball glory. The 2025 OHSAA boys basketball state finals will undoubtedly add another memorable chapter to Ohio's high school basketball history.

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Division I championship game

The Division I championship game is the pinnacle of the Ohio high school basketball tournament, and the 2025 edition promises to be a thrilling contest. The game will be held at the University of Dayton Arena, which has been the venue for the boys' and girls' tournaments since 2021 and will continue to be through the 2025-26 season. The Division I state championship game will tip off at 8:30 p.m., with Olentangy Orange and Reynoldsburg facing off in a historic matchup. This is the first time these two teams have reached the final, and it marks the first state final to feature two Columbus-area teams.

Olentangy Orange, led by their strong and determined squad, will be aiming to clinch their first Division I title. On the other hand, Reynoldsburg boasts a talented roster, including senior forward Jordan Fisher, averaging 19.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, and junior guard Xavier McKinney, contributing 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. Another key player for Reynoldsburg is junior forward Jorden Bowens, who adds 13.5 points and 5.8 rebounds to the team's arsenal. These three players have committed to continuing their careers at Ohio University, showcasing their potential impact in this final.

The road to the final for both teams involved navigating challenging regional matchups. Orange, as the first seed in their district, strategically chose a path to Wittenberg, while the second-seeded Reynoldsburg opted to stay close to home. In the state semifinals, Orange faced Cleveland St. Ignatius in Canton, while Reynoldsburg took on West Chester Lakota West at Wright State. Both teams emerged victorious from these encounters, setting the stage for the highly anticipated championship showdown.

The Division I championship game is more than just a sporting event; it embodies the passion, talent, and dedication of Ohio's high school basketball players and their communities. With the arena divided into sections for each fanbase, the atmosphere will undoubtedly be electric. Tickets for the game are available exclusively online at ohsaa.org/tickets, with single-game tickets priced at $10 for students and $16 for adults, including parking. For those unable to attend, Spectrum News 1 will broadcast the game live for Spectrum customers, with non-Spectrum customers having the option to purchase a live stream for $9.99 per game at OHSAA.tv.

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Division III championship game

The Division III championship game of the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) basketball tournament is an eagerly anticipated annual event. In 2025, the Division III final featured a matchup between Cincinnati Aiken (27-1) and Louisville (23-5). This game took place on a Friday at 1 pm, showcasing the hard work and talent of Ohio's high school basketball players.

The OHSAA tournament is a highly competitive event, with teams battling it out across different divisions. The expansion of the tournament in recent years has added to the excitement, with basketball being one of four sports to expand from four to seven divisions. This change was implemented to address enrollment disparities within Division I.

In the 2025 Division III final, Cincinnati Aiken entered the game with an impressive 27-1 record, indicating a dominant season leading up to the championship. Louisville, with a record of 23-5, also demonstrated a strong performance throughout the year. Both teams would have showcased their skills, strategies, and determination in front of a passionate crowd, with fans eagerly cheering on their respective schools.

The Division III championship game is more than just a sporting event; it embodies the dedication, teamwork, and athletic excellence cultivated within Ohio's high school basketball community. The road to the final is a testament to the hard work and sacrifice of the players, coaches, and support staff. The game itself becomes a platform for these young athletes to display their talent on a grand stage, with the outcome of the game determining who lifts the coveted championship trophy.

For fans and spectators, the Division III championship game offers an opportunity to witness high-level basketball and celebrate the achievements of these young players. The atmosphere is electric, with passionate supporters filling the arena, creating a memorable experience for all involved. The outcome of the game decides the fate of the competing teams, with the winning school earning the title and the accompanying glory, while the losing team walks away with the resolve to come back stronger the following year.

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Division IV championship game

The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) boys basketball state championship games are held across a new seven-division format. The Division IV championship game is scheduled to take place at 4:15 pm on Saturday, following the Division III game at 1 pm and preceding the Division II game at 7:30 pm. All seven divisions will play their title games at the University of Dayton Arena.

In 2025, the OHSAA state finals are scheduled for March 21-22. The Division IV championship game will be one of the last games played on Saturday, March 22, with only the Division VII game played after, at 5:15 pm.

The OHSAA boys basketball tournament is a highly anticipated event in Ohio's high school sports calendar, with teams vying for the state championship title. The tournament features some of the best high school basketball players in the state, with divisions organised to ensure competitive and exciting matchups.

The Division IV championship game is expected to showcase the skills and talents of the top players in this division. The teams that make it to the final will have navigated a challenging bracket, with each game presenting an opportunity to advance closer to the state championship title. The intensity and competitiveness of the Division IV championship game are sure to create an electric atmosphere at the University of Dayton Arena.

The outcome of the Division IV championship game will be determined by the hard work, dedication, and skill of the players and coaching staff. The winning team will be crowned the Division IV state champions, etching their names into the history books of Ohio high school basketball.

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Tournament expansion

The Ohio High School Boys Basketball Tournament underwent an expansion in 2025, marking a departure from the format of previous years. This expansion was not limited to basketball but extended to various sports overseen by the OHSAA.

Under the new format, the boys' basketball tournament featured seven divisions. This change affected the Summit County-area teams, with specific schools allocated across the divisions. Division III encompassed schools such as Firestone, Barberton, Highland, Twinsburg, and Nordonia, among others. Meanwhile, Division IV included schools like East, Norton, Buchtel, Springfield, Coventry, and Woodridge.

The expansion brought about changes to the tournament schedule. The draw for the boys' basketball tournament was set for Sunday, followed by the commencement of sectional games for Greater Akron teams on Tuesday, February 18. The district tournament for boys' basketball was scheduled to begin the following week, on Tuesday, February 25. Most district finals were anticipated to take place on Saturday, March 1.

The expansion of the Ohio High School Boys Basketball Tournament in 2025 introduced a new structure with seven divisions, impacting the Summit County-area teams specifically. This reorganisation of the tournament format brought about adjustments to the timing of various stages, from the initial draw to the district finals.

Frequently asked questions

The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) basketball tournament takes place in March.

The tournament is held at the University of Dayton (UD) Arena, which has hosted the boys' and girls' tournaments since 2021.

Single-game tickets are $10 for students and $16 for adults, including parking. All-session tickets start at $100.

Some of the players in the tournament include Jordan Fisher, Xavier McKinney, Jorden Bowens, and Toby Nwokolo.

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