Ohio high school girls basketball’s biggest weekend of the season is just days away.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association girls basketball state tournament begins Thursday, March 12 in the Dayton area at three sites — the University of Dayton’s UD Arena, Wright State’s Nutter Center and Vandalia Butler High School. All three arenas will be used for the state semifinals before all seven state championship games will be played at UD Arena.
Stark County’s lone team at the state tournament is Central Catholic, as the program makes its first state final four since 1981.
Here’s a look at the matchup featuring Central Catholic, as well what else to know about the Division VI final four.
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Canton Central Catholic vs. Castalia Margaretta | What to know
Canton Central Catholic’s OHSAA tournament history
This is Central’s second trip to state. The Crusaders also qualified in 1981, finishing as the state runner-up in Class AA. Claymont defeated Central 52-45 in the title game. The Crusaders were coached by Doug Miller, who would later win three state titles as the baseball coach at Central in addition to a successful run as the boys basketball coach.
Castalia Margaretta’s OHSAA tournament history
This will be Margaretta’s sixth trip to the state tournament. The Polar Bears last reached the state semifinals in 2023. Canal Winchester defeated Margaretta 60-50 in a Division III state semifinal that season. The Polar Bears have never advanced to a state championship game.
Central Catholic’s 2026 OHSAA tournament scores
Central advanced to state by defeating East Palestine 62-20 in sectionals, Kirtland 56-30 and Mapleton 54-38 in districts, and Waynedale 37-35 and Smithville 35-30 in regionals
Margaretta’s 2026 OHSAA tournament scores
Margaretta advanced to state by defeating Monroeville 80-17 in sectionals, Lakota 54-26 and Wynford 42-24 in districts, and Ottawa Hills 42-29 and Patrick Henry 37-31 in regionals
Canton Central Catholic’s starting five and key subs
Castalia Margaretta’s starting five and key subs
Breaking down Central Catholic vs. Castalia Margaretta
Central Catholic likes to slow the pace of the game and limit scoring. The Crusaders have held 13 opponents to 35 points or less this season. Central has a perfect record of 13-0 in those games. …The Central offense is led by Lily Belden (13.4 ppg), Grace Finefrock (13.3 ppg) and Sarah Belden (12.5 ppg). …. Freshman Aubrey Harris-Hall is a key player on the interior for the Crusaders. Harris-Hall averages 6.3 rebounds per game and alters the trajectory of shots with her length. …Margaretta’s only loss this season came to Bellevue on Dec. 27 (47-28). The Polar Bears also play exceptional defense. Margaretta has limited 19 opponents to 35 points or less in a game this season and is 19-0 in those games. … Margaretta has size inside with 6-foot senior Cassidy Lane. Lane averages a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds per game. … Senior Ellyse Schafer averages 10.3 points per game.
A look at the other Division VI state semifinal | St. Henry vs. Canal Winchester Harvest Prep
This is the first Division VI state semifinal at the Nutter Center, with tip scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday, March 12. St. Henry enters the game 25-1, while Harvest Prep is 22-3. … St. Henry is making its first appearance at the state tournament in program history. … St. Henry has two all-district players on the roster in Morgan Baumer (9.7 ppg) and Karlee Buscher (9.0 ppg). … Harvest Prep has qualified for the state tournament twice and won two state championships. … Harvest Prep sophomore guard Janay Carter has Division I college offers from Southern Indiana, Dayton and Bowling Green. … Harvest Prep’s Monae Gamble (5-foot-11) is committed to the University of Ashland and senior guard Israelle Smith has signed with Bluefield State. … Adjoa Achempong (6-1) provides size for Harvest Prep on the interior and has a Division I college offer from UT Martin.
When is the OHSAA Division VI state championship game?
The semifinal winners meet in the title game at 7 p.m. Friday, March 13 at UD Arena.
The Canton Repository sports department can be contacted via email at sports@cantonrep.com.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: OHSAA girls basketball state preview, Central Catholic vs Margaretta
Reporting by Cliff Hickman, Canton Repository / The Repository
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