With the Ohio high school girls basketball regular season nearing its conclusion on Feb. 15, and the Michigan girls finishing a week later, it’s time to take a look at the league championship races involving leagues with teams from The Blade's coverage area.
Here is a league-by-league breakdown of what has happened, and what lies ahead.
CITY LEAGUE
The picture: All that needs to be settled is the the league's four-team playoffs Feb. 5-7 at Scott. Start (14-2 overall, 6-0 CL) has completed its league slate and earned the top seed. The difference for the Spartans was their 53-50 overtime win at No. 2 seed Bowsher (13-3, 4-1) on Jan. 6. The second-place Blue Racers have secured that spot based on their 43-37 win at No. 3 seed Lima Senior (12-4, 4-2) on Nov. 25.
Games to watch: The fourth seed will almost certainly go to defending City champion Rogers (6-9, 2-3). The Rams need only beat visiting Waite (1-10, 0-4) on Wednesday to clinch that spot, and keep alive their chance at winning their 12th CL playoff crown in 14 years under veteran coach Lamar Smith. The Feb. 5 CL semifinals will very likely have Start facing Rogers, and Bowsher taking on Lima Senior. The championship game at Scott is set for Feb. 7 at 7 p.m.
Making a difference: Leading Start have been Jade Latson (14.6 points, 8.0 rebounds) and Larena Dotson (10.4 points, 5.4 rebounds). Bowsher's fortunes have been in the hands of Kelaysia Harris (13.7 points, 5.5 rebounds) and Aliyah Osei (13.4 points, 9.0 rebounds). Lima Senior has counted on Khaliah Luster (12.6 points), and Rogers has been led by Rickayla Davis (13.5 points, 5.3 rebounds).
Analysis: Although Start ran the table during league play, the Spartans' narrow win at Bowsher would seem seem to indicate another tight battle in the title game, provided both teams take care of business in their semifinal contests. But the Blue Racers should expect a strong semifinal test from Lima Senior.
NORTHERN LAKES LEAGUE (Buckeye Division)
The picture: Barring a miracle, Anthony Wayne will almost certainly secure its second straight NLL Buckeye title and fourth consecutive league crown, having won under the NLL's former 8-team alignment in 2022 and 2023.
The Generals (13-2, 5-0 Buckeye) — who have division games remaining at Whitmer, versus Perrysburg, and at second-place Northview (13-2, 3-1) — have demolished their division foes by an average of 73.4 to 24.8 in five games thus far, including a 62-19 romp over Northview on Jan. 9.
Games to watch: Anthony Wayne can clinch at least a share of the Buckeye crown with two wins in its remaining division games — Jan. 30 at Whitmer (6-9, 0-5), Feb. 6 versus Perrysburg (9-6, 2-3), and Feb. 13 at Northview. A sweep gives coach Jami Carter's powerhouse AW squad a fourth straight outright title.
Making a difference: Anthony Wayne is led by the terrific trio of Villanova University-bound senior twin sisters Elise Bender (23.3 points, 6.3 rebounds), a D-I first team All-Ohioan last season, and Brooke Bender (16.3 points), and junior Leah Pike (10.8 points, 5.7 rebounds). Northview is paced by Grace Kahl (15.0 points), and Findlay has been led by Davinee Harris (17.1 points).
Analysis: Simply put, Anthony Wayne, with its deep roster, top-level starting five, relentless defense, and potent offense, has no peer in the Buckeye Division, or in northwest Ohio. The Generals should make another deep tournament run, this time in Division II of Ohio's new 7-division format, and has state-championship potential.
NORTHERN LAKES LEAGUE (Cardinal Division)
The picture: Although some division games remain to be played by leaders Fremont Ross (7-8, 6-1 Cardinal) and Napoleon (9-7, 5-1), this title may likely wind up in a tie between the two. Ross beat the visiting Wildcats 39-34 on Dec. 3, and host Napoleon won the rematch 56-44 on Thursday.
Games to watch: The defending Cardinal champions from Ross close with division games versus Springfield (0-14, 0-6) on Thursday, at Clay (5-10, 3-3) on Jan. 30, and versus Southview (4-12, 3-3) on Feb. 6, while Napoleon finishes Cardinal play with tests versus Bowling Green (4-11, 2-5) Thursday, at Southview Jan. 30, and versus Clay on Feb. 8.
Making a difference: Fremont Ross counts on the 1-2 punch of Lyndi Wolf (9.2 points, 5.1 rebounds) and Ava Jones (9.6 points), and Napoleon has relied on Ava Good (11.3 points).
Analysis: There seems to be a wide enough gap between the current co-leaders and the other four division foes to forecast a shared title in the Cardinal.
CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE
The picture: Recent perennial Ohio power Notre Dame, which reached the Division I state semifinals eight times in 10 years between 2012 and 2021, has slipped a bit from that level in the past three seasons. But, the Eagles of veteran coach Travis Galloway could have the potential for a solid tournament run in Division III under Ohio's new 7-division format.
Before then, the Eagles (10-4, 4-1 West Division) have a shot at winning a playoff title in the Michigan-based Catholic High School League. Notre Dame has three three division games remaining in a quest to earn one of the two West Division spots in the CHSL's four-team playoffs (Feb. 7-14). The Eagles' lone loss in division play came against powerhouse Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard (10-1, 4-0), a 49-38 home setback on Jan. 19. The Irish ended last season at 28-1 overall and Michigan Division 2 state runners-up. The top two teams from the West and the top two from the CHSL East Division qualify for the playoffs, with the No. 1 teams facing the No. 2 seeds from the opposite division in the semifinals, and the winners meeting in the Feb. 14 title game at University of Detroit-Mercy.
Games to watch: Notre Dame plays at Gabriel Richard on Jan. 28, hosts Jackson (Mich.) Lumen Christi, on Feb. 1, and plays at Central Catholic on Feb. 5 to close West Division play.
Making a difference: Notre Dame has been paced by Nina Sims (12.3 points) and Kallie Thames (9.0 points), and Central has relied on Nina Stevens (10.5 points) and Serenity Bolden (9.2 points).
Analysis: Expect Notre Dame to reach the playoffs, but winning in the playoffs may be a long shot for the Eagles.
NORTHERN BUCKEYE CONFERENCE
The picture: This title might well wind up in a tie between current co-leaders Genoa (12-3, 10-1 NBC) and Oak Harbor (13-3, 10-1), who have split their two conference meetings.
Genoa's Comets took a 56-51 overtime win at Oak Harbor on Dec. 7, and the visiting Rockets returned the favor on Saturday with a more decisive 49-36 victory at Genoa.
Third-place Maumee (9-5, 7-3) has a chance to play spoiler on the road at Oak Harbor on Thursday. The Panthers have lost twice to Genoa, and once previously to the Rockets.
Games to watch: Genoa finishes with NBC games at Lake (6-10, 5-6) on Thursday, versus Otsego (4-14, 0-11) on Jan. 30, and at Rossford (6-10, 2-8) on Feb. 6. After playing Maumee, Oak Harbor hosts Rossford on Jan. 30, and plays at Eastwood (6-9, 5-6) Feb. 6.
Making a difference: Leading Genoa's charge have been the trio of Makenna Moritz (16.6 points, 10.0 rebounds), Addisyn Moritz (12.0 points), and Lucy Schlageter (9.9 points). Heading up Oak Harbor's title push are Karder Haas (13.3 points) and Brookelyn Tabbert (12.7 points, 5.6 rebounds). Maumee is led by Lucy Porter (16.6 points, 9.5 rebounds), who recently surpassed 1,000 career points.
Analysis: Oak Harbor eked out a 52-50 win at Maumee on Dec. 10, so the Rockets will have to bring their A-game on Thursday to help secure a conference title share. Genoa is far less likely to stumble in nailing down its piece of the crown.
NORTHWEST OHIO ATHLETIC LEAGUE
The picture: Although two front-runners have emerged in preseason favorite Patrick Henry (14-1, 4-0 NWOAL) and the surprising Delta Panthers (15-0, 3-0), this league provides the most title intrigue in late January and early February. Also remaining in the championship chase is Wauseon (12-3, 2-1), which stumbled in league play last Thursday in a 43-36 loss to Evergreen (8-8, 2-2). Archbold (13-4, 2-2) has already fallen in league play to PH (47-36 on Dec. 13) and to Delta (57-48) last Thursday.
Games to watch: A true league-title showdown is potentially on the horizon when Patrick Henry's Patriots play at Delta in the NWOAL finale on Feb. 6. Before that championship matchup is put in place however, PH must take care of league business versus Wauseon on Thursday, and versus Liberty Center (8-7, 1-2) on Jan. 30, and Delta will need to hold up its end versus Swanton (3-13, 0-4) on Thursday, at Wauseon on Jan. 30, and versus Liberty Center on Feb. 4.
Making a difference: Patrick Henry's Patriots, as expected, have been paced by the experienced trio of Carys Crossland (18.0 points, 5.0 rebounds), Ada Christman (11.5 points, 7.6 rebounds), and Kasey Nelson (9.7 points). Delta's surprising unbeaten run has been highlighted by Anna Lohman (14.5 points), Kendall Sprow (11.4 points), and Abbey Todd (10.2 points). Wauseon has been led by Mackenzie Stasa (10.4 points, 5.4 rebounds) and Sophia Rupp (10.0 points).
Analysis: It is highly likely that the Patrick Henry-at-Delta collision on Feb. 6 will decide an outright NWOAL championship.
TOLEDO AREA ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
The picture: This two-horse race in a conference that has shrunk to just four teams will almost certainly come down to seven-time defending champion Toledo Christian (7-8, 3-0 TAAC) and Ottawa Hills (10-6, 3-1). The Eagles, who had won those seven crowns under prior coach Tim Wensink (10 seasons, 164-81 record), who guided the Eagles to four straight Division VI district titles (2020-23), including a D-IV state runner-up finish in 2023.
Although TC was hit hard by graduation, namely All-Ohio guard Kendall Braden (now at the University of Toledo), the Eagles got in the driver's seat for an eighth straight TAAC title, or at least a share of the crown, by winning at preseason favorite Ottawa Hills 64-55 back on Dec. 13.
Games to watch: Thursday's matchup which has the second-place Green Bears traveling to TC will decide whether the crown goes outright to the Eagles, or is split with Ottawa Hills.
Making a difference: Toledo Christian has been bolstered by the 1-2 combo of Reghan Markley (17.4 points, 7.5 rebounds) and Jenna Reed (15.5 points, 6.0 rebounds), and Ottawa Hills has counted heavily on Kendell Skiver (18.6 points, 6.2 rebounds) and Sophie VanSlooten (11.5 points, 5.1 rebounds).
Analysis: Thursday's game promises to be a toss-up, likely going to whichever team plays better defense and brings a more accurate shooting touch.
OTHER AREA
Here's is a brief breakdown of title chases in other area leagues in The Blade's coverage area.
The picture: In the Blanchard Valley Conference, four solid teams remain alive in the race — Riverdale (13-4, 6-0), Liberty-Benton (10-6, 7-1), McComb (12-3, 5-1), and Arcadia (11-4, 5-2).
In the Sandusky Bay Conference's River Division, the chase includes Danbury (13-2, 10-1), Gibsonburg (10-4, 10-1), Tiffin Calvert (12-2, 9-2) and, with slim chance, Woodmore (9-5, 7-4).
In the Buckeye Border Conference, three teams remain in contention — Hilltop (16-0, 3-0), Montpelier (10-4, 4-0), and Pettisville (5-10, 2-1).
North of the border, in the Southeastern Conference's Red Division, Bedford (8-1, 5-0) leads fellow contenders Dexter (7-5, 4-1), Monroe (7-3, 4-2), and Saline (9-2, 3-2).
In the Lenawee County Athletic Association, Blissfield (10-1, 6-0) is tied for first with Adrian Madison (10-1, 6-0), with those two having two head-to-head battles remaining.
And, in the Tri-County Conference, second-place Whiteford (7-4, 4-1) trails Morenci (11-0, 5-0), with Lenawee Christian (7-4, 3-2) and Summerfield (9-3, 4-3) also still in the mix.
Games to watch: (BVC) Liberty-Benton at McComb and Arcadia at Riverdale on Jan. 30, and Riverdale at Liberty-Benton on Feb. 6. (SBC River) Danbury at Gibsonburg on Jan. 28, Gibsonburg at Woodmore on Feb. 8. (BBC) Montpelier at Hilltop on Thursday, Pettisville at Montpelier on Jan. 30, and Pettisville at Hilltop on Feb. 8.
(SEC Red) Bedford at Monroe on Feb. 4, and Bedford at Dexter on Feb. 12. (LCAA) Blissfield at Adrian Madison on Jan. 29, and Adrian Madison at Blissfield on Feb. 21. (TCC) Lenawee Christian at Morenci on Thursday, Whiteford at Morenci on Jan. 28, Lenawee Christian at Whiteford on Feb. 18, and Morenci at Whiteford on Feb. 21.
Making a difference: One of northwest Ohio's top players has been Gibsonburg sophomore Elly Evarts, who leads the Golden Bears with 22.3 points per game and 7.4 rebounds. Other top producers include Bedford's Victoria Gray (20.4 points, 15.0 rebounds), Fremont St. Joseph's Emma Kelbley (15.0 points, 10.3 rebounds), McComb's Morgan Kern (17.6 points, 7.9 rebounds), Van Buren's Brooklyn Wilkin (14.4 points, 7.8 rebounds), and Liberty-Benton's Corra Dehart (12.5 points, 8.1 rebounds).
Analysis: The Blade's crystal ball has Liberty-Benton and Riverdale sharing the BVC title, Danbury, Calvert, and Gibsonburg all claiming title shares in the SBC River, Hilltop winning the outright BBC championship, Bedford winning an outright crown in the SEC Red, Blissfield sharing the LCAA championship with Adrian Madison, and Morenci taking the outright TCC title.
First Published January 19, 2025, 10:49 p.m.
