Four teams ranked third in latest RPI rankings

The Ohio High School Athletic Association's boys basketball MaxPreps Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) rankings continue to take shape with just over two weeks until the statewide tournament draw is held. 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 (0-14) is in Group B with Toledo Central Catholic (11-2), Oregon Clay (11-2), Mansfield Senior (11-6), Sandusky (9-7), Lexington (5-11), Columbian (7-9), Madison (6-8), Toledo Woodward (4-9), Fremont Ross (2-11), and Toledo Scott (2-10). 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 (13-2) is currently third behind Genoa (13-0) Margareta (14-2) to headline a deep group. The rest of the group in current order includes Eastwood (7-5), Findlay Liberty-Benton (8-6), Oak Harbor (6-8), Huron (5-10), Western Reserve (7-6), and Edison (6-8). The opposite group features Paulding (13-3), Archbold (10-4), Coldwater (7-7), Ottawa Hills (10-7), Liberty Center (8-6), Bluffton (5-9), Swanton (5-10), Delta (3-12), and Northwood (2-12). The two district sites are Napoleon and Lakota high schools. In Div. VI, New London (9-5) remains third in its group behind Colonel Crawford (12-0) and Seneca East (11-3). The Wildcats defeated the Tigers in overtime on Jan. 10 in Attica. Other teams in the group, in order of their current ranking, includes Crestview (6-8), Mansfield Christian (7-6), Mohawk (4-8), Bucyrus Wynford (3-10), and Bucyrus (2-11). 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 Maumee Valley Country Day (10-5), Gibsonburg (12-2), Patrick Henry (12-3), Evergreen (8-6), Lakota (8-6), Toledo Christian (6-8), Woodmore (6-8), and Elmwood (3-13). The second group of teams NL could potentially see includes Van Buren (13-1), Columbus Grove (9-5), Allen East (10-6), Ada (11-5), Riverdale (10-5), Hopewell-Loudon (7-7), and Carey (6-6). The Division VII field is crowded for four area teams. Old Fort (10-4) and St. Mary Central Catholic (12-2) lead Group D ahead of Monroeville (7-5). Cardinal Stritch (8-8) is currently fourth, followed by St. Paul (7-9), Danbury (3-11), Fremont SJCC (0-12), and Toledo Horizon Science Academy. Plymouth (12-2) currently has the top RPI in Group E ahead of Tiffin Calvert (8-5), followed by South Central (8-7) in third. Crestline (7-8), Mansfield St. Peter's (4-8), New Riegel (4-10), Buckeye Central (2-10), and Lucas (0-15) round out the group in order. 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 Montpelier (13-2), Edon (10-6), Pettisville (8-7), Stryker (9-7), Edgerton (8-9), Hilltip (8-8), North Central (8-9), and Fayette (4-12). The other group of teams that Plymouth or South Central could possibly see includes Arlington (13-3), Arcadia (10-4), Pandora-Gilboa (7-7), McComb (4-11), Cory-Rawson (3-11), Leipsic (2-12), North Baltimore (4-13), and Vanlue (0-14).