If you’ve spent any time in a freezing cold gymnasium in Lima, Zanesville, or Cincinnati lately, you know that January is when things get weird. We’re in that mid-winter grind. The holiday tournaments are a memory, and everyone is staring down the barrel of the tournament draw. Honestly, keeping up with ohio high school girls basketball scores this time of year feels like a full-time job because the landscape shifts every single Tuesday and Saturday night.
One night you’re looking at a blowout in the OCC, and the next, a Division VII underdog is taking a powerhouse to triple overtime. It’s chaotic. It’s noisy. It’s exactly why we love Ohio hoops.
The Powerhouses Holding the Line
Let’s talk about the teams that aren't just winning—they’re dismantling people. Mount Notre Dame is currently sitting at the top of the mountain with a 12-0 record. They aren't just "good"; they are playing a brand of disciplined basketball that makes you feel for their opponents.
Then you have Bellevue and Wadsworth, both 11-0 and 13-0 respectively. If you haven't seen Wadsworth play this year, you’re missing out on a masterclass in defensive pressure. They don't just beat you; they make you regret ever picking up a basketball.
Recent Standouts and Heavy Hitters
On January 14, we saw some telling scores roll in from across the state. Canfield put on a clinic against Howland, finishing 66-39. Meanwhile, Warren JFK took care of business against Cardinal Mooney with a 63-36 win. These aren't just numbers on a scoreboard; they’re statements as we head toward February.
In the MVL, Sheridan recently handled Maysville 55-37. If you follow the Muskingum Valley, you know Sheridan is basically the gold standard. They play with a chip on their shoulder that’s hard to ignore.
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Why Ohio High School Girls Basketball Scores Are Getting Closer
It’s not all blowouts, though. We’re seeing a ton of "squeakers." Newark just barely got past Reynoldsburg with a 53-52 win on January 13. One point. That’s a missed free throw or a lucky bounce. That’s the kind of game that keeps coaches up until 3:00 a.m. watching film.
Delaware Buckeye Valley also showed up big recently, crushing Worthington Christian 56-34. It seems like every time we think a conference is settled, someone like Buckeye Valley or Granville Christian—who just edged out Delaware Christian 50-45—goes and throws a wrench in the standings.
The New Seven-Division Reality
You’ve probably heard by now, but the OHSAA expanded to seven divisions. This changes the math for everyone. Last year was a bit of an experiment with the "football model" for the state semis, but the feedback was clear: coaches wanted the big stage.
So, for 2026, the Final Four is heading back to the Dayton area in a big way. We’re talking UD Arena, Wright State, and Vandalia Butler all hosting games. It’s going to be a logistical whirlwind, but for the kids, it means playing in a pro-level atmosphere.
Statistical Leaders You Should Know
It’s easy to get lost in the team scores, but some individual performances are just ridiculous right now.
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- Lacie Allison (North Baltimore): Averaging a wild 31.1 points per game. Basically, if she crosses half-court, you’re in trouble.
- Belle Sohar (Harvest Temple Christian): She’s vacuuming up 18.2 rebounds per game. That’s not a stat; that’s a lifestyle.
- Bailey Tabeling (Ohio): A junior guard who is essentially the Swiss Army knife of her team, leading in steals and hitting nearly 36% from the field.
Honestly, the depth of talent this year is better than I’ve seen in a long time. It’s not just one or two stars; it’s entire rosters of kids who have been playing together since the third grade.
The Road to Dayton: Important Dates
If you're trying to plan your life around the postseason (and let’s be real, many of us are), keep these dates on your radar. The tournament draws are right around the corner.
For Divisions III through VII, the seed and draw meeting is Sunday, February 8. If you’re in Division I or II, you get an extra week of regular-season stress before your meeting on February 15. The actual sectional tournaments kick off the week of February 16. It goes fast. One bad shooting night and the season is over.
Navigating the Scoreboard
Tracking ohio high school girls basketball scores isn't as simple as checking one site anymore. You sort of have to be a digital detective. MaxPreps is the big dog for rankings and RPI, but for the raw, minute-by-minute updates, ScoreStream and local radio sites like YourRadioPlace or WFMJ are usually faster.
The RPI is the big factor now. The OHSAA is using MaxPreps RPI for all tournament seeding. No more coaches sitting in a room voting for their friends or against their rivals. It’s all numbers now. Some people hate it, saying it lacks the "human element," but it definitely removes the bias that used to plague the draw meetings.
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What to Watch This Week
Keep an eye on the GMC and the Greater Catholic League. The Cincinnati schools are beating the living daylights out of each other right now. Seton and Mount Notre Dame are on a collision course, and those games are usually decided by whoever wants the floor burn more.
Down in the SBAAC, Williamsburg is currently perfect in the conference at 7-0. They’ve got a target on their back, and everyone from Georgetown to Clermont Northeastern is looking to be the one to knock them off.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Parents
If you're following the season closely, here is how you stay ahead of the curve:
- Bookmark the RPI Pages: Don't just look at the record. Look at the strength of schedule. A 10-4 team in a brutal conference is often more dangerous than a 14-0 team that’s played a "cupcake" schedule.
- Verify the Division: With seven divisions now, your traditional rivals might not even be in your bracket. Check the OHSAA divisional breakdown before you start trash-talking.
- Digital Ticketing: Most sectional and district games are still $10 for adults and $5 for students, but almost all of them require online purchase. Don't be the person stuck at the gate trying to find a QR code with no cell service.
- Watch the "Points Per 32": If you see a player like Erin Thomas from Princeton putting up massive numbers in limited minutes, that’s a sign of a team that is deep and resting their starters for the long haul.
The season is hitting its peak. Every bucket matters. Whether you're in the stands or refreshing a feed on your phone, the intensity of Ohio hoops is unmatched. Check the latest scores, watch the RPI moves, and get ready—February is going to be a gauntlet.