Teams having breakout seasons in 2025

A look at seven teams experiencing notable turnarounds in 2024-25

With the Central District Tournament Draw on the horizon this weekend, we wanted to take a look at some teams that have much brighter postseason dreams in 2025 compared to a year ago. Ohio’s expanded divisions have increased opportunity for teams to win district titles and add new banners in their gymnasiums. Here are some teams having drastic success.

Hilliard Darby

Record year over year: 4-19 in 2023-24 to 15-2 in 2024-25

Current seed: No. 7 in MaxPreps’ Division I RPI

Last year seed: No. 43 in Division I

Hilliard Darby has experienced an 11-win improvement from last season. The Panthers are 7-0 in the OCC-Cardinal and will have a chance this Friday to win the league outright when they travel to Olentangy. A win over the Braves locks up the OCC title for the first time since 2008, when Darby edged out eventual state champion Newark for the league title. Chris Maul has been at Darby through the highs and the lows, which makes this season extra special. If Darby is able to win a district title this season, it will be their first since 1999 - the only time the Panthers have been district champs in boys or girls basketball.