Wrapping up district final weekend with a look to regionals
Nets were cut down and a time was had. Now it's win-or-go home season once again
Albeit a different feel to the most anticipated weekend of the year, district final weekend still brought back some nostalgic vibes. Let’s do a quick recap of this past weekend and where each time will play in the regional tournament.
Division I
#3 Olentangy 50, #5 Olentangy Orange 47 (OT)
Olentangy wins its first district title since 1991 and dethroned district rival and defending state champion Olentangy Orange in the process. The Braves’ 21 wins are the most in program history, as they’ll look to keep its historic season alive in the regional semifinals against top-ranked Hilliard Bradley (22-2) on Wednesday at 8 p.m. at the Fairgrounds Coliseum.
#1 Hilliard Bradley 52, #12 Grove City 48
Hilliard Bradley survived a tough test from a young, but scrappy Grove City team in the district finals. The Jags are district champs for the fifth time since 2018 with its best chance since an inconic 2020 class to get to the state tournament. The first step in that process will be a red-hot Olentangy (21-2) team before a potential rematch with Newark (who Bradley defeated on a buzzer beater earlier this season) or Reynoldsburg (who Bradley near upset in the district finals last season).
#2 Newark 54, #8 Gahanna Lincoln 37
Newark locked in on the defensive end of the floor in an impressive victory over former OCC-Ohio foe Gahanna Lincoln. The district championship for the Wildcats is the 27th in school history - tops in the area - and eighth under legendary coach Jeff Quackenbush. One place where the Wildcats haven’t been so successful is the regional tournament where Newark has lost its last four games in the semifinal round. Standing in their way for a first regional final appearance since its 2008 state championship team is a rising Reynoldsburg (18-6) squad that split the season series with the Wildcats. That rubber match will take place on Wednesday at 8 p.m. at the Fairgrounds Coliseum.
#4 Reynoldsburg 71, #15 Pickerington North 52
Reynoldsburg was a heavy favorite in the district finals for the second-straight year, but unlike 2025, the Raiders did not suffer a near stunning upset. The Raiders were all business and continued what has been a red-hot nine-game winning streak in impressive fashion. The ‘Burg was treated like a No. 1 seed during the tournament draw, but will now have to face a top contender in familiar rival Newark (23-2). The win over Pickerington North was the first time in program history that Reynoldsburg has won back-to-back district titles. The Raiders are hopeful for back-to-back regional titles with stout competition ahead.
