1. The girls D-II regional semifinals are today at Springfield High School. No surprise in this field, which features Carroll (22-4) vs. Independence (19-6) at 6:15 p.m. and Alter (24-2) vs. Tippecanoe (23-3) at 8 p.m. Carroll, Alter and Tipp are regulars this deep into the playoffs. The winners return at 7:30 p.m. for Friday’s regional final.
A two-time defending D-II state champ, Alter has a firm grip on this portion of the Sweet 16. The Knights feature the 1-2, go-to punch of seniors Libby Bazelak (Duquesne University signee) and Braxtin Miller (Oklahoma State) and a formidable supporting cast. Alter beat Carroll twice in the regular season, including a 32-31 squeaker. Carroll beat Tipp.
The D-II regional final is Friday.
GIRLS SCHEDULE: Regional basketball pairings
2. This is the debut season of Carroll coach Cecilia Grosselin. A veteran assistant, she succeeded Rob Berry, who died from complications from cancer last summer. It also is Tippecanoe’s first season in the Greater Western Ohio Conference after jumping with Stebbins from the Central Buckeye Conference. Red Devils girls coach Andy Holderman has been a stabilizing fixture after Tipp replaced both its boys and girls basketball coaches in midseason two years ago.
BOYS SCHEDULE: District final pairings
3. This has been an unprecedented basketball season at Versailles, and that’s saying a lot considering the Tigers’ boys and girls program histories. The Versailles girls (23-3) are up first, playing Badin (19-7) in a D-III regional semi at Springfield on Wednesday.
4. The Tri-Village girls (24-1) have lost only at Versailles in the regular season. The Patriots and All-Ohio candidate senior Allie Downing are paired against Jackson Center (21-4) in a D-IV regional semi at 6:15 p.m. Thursday at Vandalia-Butler. JC was a state final four team last season. The other semi is Russia (21-5) vs. Minster (23-2) at 8 p.m.
Minster defeated Midwest Athletic League rival Versailles, and Shelby County League rivals Jackson Center and Russia during the regular season.
5. The Division I, III and IV regional finals are Saturday. D-I at Fairmont is the only division that won’t include an area team. All the regional winners advance to next week’s state final fours at Ohio State University’s Schottenstein Center in Columbus.
About the Author