RPI data taking shape for area tournament draws

The Ohio High School Athletic Association's boys basketball MaxPreps Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) rankings are now live on the OHSAA website. The RPI rankings update daily as final scores are entered into the MaxPreps database. The 2025-26 season is the third in which RPI data is being used to determine seeding for the statewide tournament draws. This year's tournament draws are Feb. 15 (Divisions III-VII) for area teams. The RPI formula was recommended by the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association, adopted by the OHSAA, and is calculated using scores entered into MaxPreps. The formula is comprised of 40 percent winning percentage, 40 percent opponent's winning percentage, and 20 percent opponent's opponent's winning percentage. The winning team is required to enter the score into MaxPreps, or for out-of-state opponents, the Ohio school must enter the score if it is not entered by the out-of-state school. The school groupings are determined by the Northwest District Athletic Board, which divides its schools into smaller groups. The deadline for reporting scores is 11:59 p.m. Feb. 13. Final RPI data for all divisions will be available on the day following the reporting deadline. New this season, similar to soccer and volleyball in the fall, teams put into groups will have their choice between two districts. In Div. III, Norwalk (0-11) is in Group B with the likes of Toledo Central Catholic (7-2), Oregon Clay (10-1), Mansfield Senior (8-4), Sandusky (6-6), Lexington (4-7), Columbian (4-8), Madison (4-7), Toledo Woodward (2-8), Fremont Ross (1-8), and Toledo Scott (1-9). The other group includes teams such as Bowling Green, Toledo Bowsher, Celina, Defiance, Maumee, Toledo Rogers, Lima Shawnee, Holland Springfield, Sylvania Southview, and Wapakoneta. The two district locations will be Findlay Liberty-Benton and Ontario. Sectional games will be held from Feb. 23-28, with the district games set for March 2-7 for all the divisions. In Div. V, Willard (11-2) is currently third behind Margareta (12-1) and Genoa (11-0). The rest of the group in current order includes Findlay Liberty-Benton (8-3), Eastwood (5-4), Huron (5-7), Western Reserve (6-5), Oak Harbor (2-7), and Edison (4-7). The opposite group features Archbold, Bluffton, Coldwater, Delta, Liberty Center, Northwood, Ottawa Hills, Paulding, and Swanton. The two district sites are Napoleon and Lakota high schools. In Div. VI, New London (7-4) currently sits third in its group behind Colonel Crawford (8-0) and Seneca East (10-3). The Wildcats just defeated the Tigers in overtime on Jan. 10 in Attica. Other teams in the group include Mansfield Christian (6-4), Crestview (4-7), Bucyrus Wynford (3-7), Mohawk (3-5), and Bucyrus (2-8). New London can choose district brackets at nearby Willard or Findlay Liberty-Benton. Two other groups are eligible to go to both sides. The first group includes Elmwood, Evergreen, Gibsonburg, Lakota, Maumee Valley Country Day, Patrick Henry, Toledo Christian, and Woodmore. The second group of teams NL could potentially see includes Ada, Allen East, Carey, Columbus Grove, Hopewell-Loudon, Riverdale, and Van Buren. The Division VII field is crowded for four area teams. St. Mary Central Catholic (9-0) and Old Fort (7-3) lead Group D ahead of Monroeville (6-4). Cardinal Stritch (5-7) is currently fourth, followed by St. Paul (6-7), Danbury (2-10), Fremont SJCC (0-10), and Toledo Horizon Science Academy. Plymouth (9-2) currently has the top RPI in Group E ahead of Tiffin Calvert (6-4), followed by Crestline (7-6) and South Central in fourth (6-5). Other teams include New Riegel (4-6), Mansfield St. Peter's (3-4), Buckeye Central (1-9), and Lucas (0-11). The group that includes the Eagles and Flyers will have the choice of district sites at Oregon Clay or Galion. The group that includes the Big Red and Trojans can choose between Galion or Lima Senior. The other group of teams that Monroeville and St. Paul could see includes Edgerton, Edon, Fayette, Hilltop, Montpelier, North Central, Pettisville, and Stryker. The other group of teams that Plymouth or South Central could possibly see includes Arcadia, Arlington, Cory-Rawson, Leipsic, McComb, North Baltimore, Pandora-Gilboa, and Vanlue.