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Basketball – Boys

2026 CENTRAL DISTRICT TOURNAMENT INFO - ALL DIVISIONS

Tournament Manager: Tom Stoughton, C: 614-313-5394, Email: [email protected].  Supervises all tournaments, supervises the assigning of all officials, and conducts all drawing and seeding meetings.
CDAB Board Member Boys Basketball Liaison: Scott Reeves, Assistant Superintendent, Teaching & Learning, Westerville City Schools, 936 Eastwind Drive, Westerville 43081. P: 614-797-5728, Email: [email protected]
 
2026 CDAB Boys Basketball Tournament Forms
Boys Basketball Tournament Team Bench List (.docx) - to be used by ALL TEAMS for Sectional, District, Regional and State tournament games. 
Boys Basketball Tournament Cheerleader List (.docx) - to be used by ALL SCHOOLS with CHEERLEADERS for Sectional, District, Regional and State tournament games.    
2025-26 CDAB Tournament Financial Documents
2026 Division I Tournament Information
DIVISION I - PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
Central District Schools: Central Crossing, Delaware Hayes, Dublin Coffman, Dublin Jerome, Gahanna Lincoln, Grove City, Groveport Madison, Hilliard Bradley, Hilliard Darby, Hilliard Davidson, Lancaster, Marysville, Newark, Olentangy, Olentangy Berlin, Olentangy Liberty, Olentangy Orange, Pickerington Central, Pickerington North, Reynoldsburg, Thomas Worthington, Upper Arlington, Westland. (23)
 
DIVISION I - TOURNAMENT DATES and SITES
Division I schools will draw into one of six district tournaments (Central 1, Central 2, Central 3, Central 4, Central 5, Central 6). Please check the tournament brackets posted on this page for updates. 
District Semifinals: March 3, 2026. Played at the better seeded team at 7:00 p.m.
District Finals: March 7, 2026
Ohio Expo Center, 717 East 17th Avenue, Columbus 43211. Kirk Ballinger, Site Manager, P: 740-225-3140, Email: [email protected].
     Central 1 District Final - March 7 at TBA
     Central 2 District Final - March 7 at TBA
     Central 3 District Final - March 7 at TBA
     Central 4 District Final - March 7 at TBA
Ohio Dominican University, Alumni Hall, 1216 Sunbury Road, Columbus 43219. Chris Deibel, P: 614-251-4564, Email: [email protected].
     Central 5 District Final - March 7 at TBA
     Central 6 District Final - March 7 at TBA
Regional Tournament Qualifiers:  The winner of each district tournament will advance to the Regional Tournament.  Regional Tournament sites are subject to change.  Check the tournament brackets for updates.
Region 2 Tournament - March 11 - Ohio Expo Center, Columbus
  6:00 p.m. - Semifinal #1 - Central 2 winner (home) vs. Central 4 winner (visitor) 
  8:00 p.m. - Semifinal #2 - Central 3 winner (home) vs. Central 1 winner (visitor)
  Final: March 14, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
Region 3 Tournament - March 12 - Ohio Expo Center, Columbus
  6:00 p.m. - Semifinal #1 - Central 6 winner (home) vs. Southwest 5 winner (visitor) 
  8:00 p.m. - Semifinal #2 - Central 5 winner (home) vs. Southwest 6 winner (visitor)
  Final: March 14, 2026 - Site/Time - TBA
2026 Division II Tournament Information
DIVISION II - PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
Central District Schools: Big Walnut, Briggs, Canal Winchester, Dublin Scioto, Franklin Heights, Licking Heights, Mifflin, Mount Vernon, New Albany, Northland, St. Charles, Teays Valley, Watkins Memorial, Westerville Central, Westerville North, Westerville South, Whetstone, Worthington Kilbourne. (18)
Southeast District Schools: Logan. (1)
 
DIVISION II - TOURNAMENT DATES and SITES
Division II schools will draw into one of four district tournaments (Central 1, Central 2, Central 3, Central 4). Please check the tournament brackets posted on this page for updates. 
Sectional Tournament: February 26, 2026. Played at the better seeded team at 7:00 p.m.
District Semifinals: March 2, 2026. Played at the better seeded team at 7:00 p.m.
District Finals: March 5, 2026
Ohio Expo Center, 717 East 17th Avenue, Columbus 43211. Kirk Ballinger, Site Manager, P: 740-225-3140, Email: [email protected].
     Central 1 District Final - March 5 at TBA
     Central 4 District Final - March 5 at TBA
Mt. Vernon Nazarene University, 800 Martinsburg Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050.  Chip Wilson, Site Manager, P: 740-507-4539, Email:  [email protected].
     Central 2 District Final - March 5 at TBA
     Central 3 District Final - March 5 at TBA
Regional Tournament Qualifiers:  The winner of each district tournament will advance to the Regional Tournament.  Regional Tournament sites are subject to change.  Check the tournament brackets for updates.
Region 7 Tournament - March 10 - Ohio Expo Center, Taft Coliseum, Columbus
  6:00 p.m. - Semifinal #1 -Central 1 winner (home) vs. Central 4 winner (visitor) 
  6:00 p.m. - Semifinal #2 - Central 2 winner (home) vs. Central 3 winner (visitor)
  Final: March 6, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
2026 Division III Tournament Information
DIVISION III - PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
Central District Schools: Beechcroft, Bexley, Bishop Hartley, Bishop Watterson, Centennial, Granville, Hamilton Township, Independence (Columbus), Linden McKinley, Marion Harding, South (Columbus), St. Francis DeSales (Columbus), Walnut Ridge, West, Whitehall-Yearling. (15)
 
DIVISION III - TOURNAMENT DATES and SITES
Division III schools will draw into one of two district tournaments (Central 1, Central 2). Please check the tournament brackets posted on this page for updates. 
Sectional Tournament: February 27, 2026. Played at the better seeded team at 7:00 p.m.
District Semifinals: March 3, 2026. Played at the better seeded team at 7:00 p.m.
District Finals: March 6, 2026.
Ohio Dominican University, Alumni Hall, 1216 Sunbury Road, Columbus 43219. Chris Deibel, P: 614-251-4564, Email: [email protected].
     Central 1 District Final - March 6 at TBA
     Central 2 District Final - March 6 at TBA
Regional Tournament Qualifiers:  The winner of each district tournament will advance to the Regional Tournament.  Regional Tournament sites are subject to change.  Check the tournament brackets for updates.
Region 11 Tournament - March 10- Ohio University Convocation Center, Athens
  6:00 p.m. - Semifinal #1 - East/Southeast 1 winner (home) vs. Central 2 winner (visitor) 
  8:00 p.m. - Semifinal #2 - Central 1 winner (home) vs. East/Southeast 2 winner (visitor)
  Final: March 14, 2026 at TBA
2026 Division IV Tournament Information
DIVISION IV - PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
Central District Schools: Bloom-Carroll, Buckeye Valley, Columbus International, Cristo Rey Columbus, East (Columbus), Eastmoor Academy, Heath, Highland (Marengo), Horizon Science Academy, Johnstown, Jonathan Alder, KIPP Columbus, Lakewood (Hebron), Licking Valley, London, Marion-Franklin, River Valley (Caledonia), Worthington Christian. (18)
 
DIVISION IV - TOURNAMENT DATES and SITES
Division IV schools will draw into one of two district tournaments (Central 1, Central 2). Please check the tournament brackets posted on this page for updates. 
Sectional Tournament: February 24 and 27, 2026. Played at the better seeded team at 7:00 p.m.
District Semifinals: March 3, 2026. Played at the better seeded team at 7:00 p.m.
District Finals: March 6, 2026
Mt. Vernon Nazarene University, 800 Martinsburg Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050.  Chip Wilson, Site Manager, P: 740-507-4539, Email:  [email protected].
     Central 1 District Final - March 6 at TBA
     Central 2 District Final - March 6 at TBA
Regional Tournament Qualifiers:  The winner of each district tournament will advance to the Regional Tournament.  Regional Tournament sites are subject to change.  Check the tournament brackets for updates.
Region 14 Tournament - March 11 - Bowling Green State University
  March 11 - 6:00 p.m. - Semifinal #1 - Central 1 winner (home) vs. Northwest 3 winner (visitor) 
  March 11 - 8:30 p.m. - Semifinal #2 - Northwest 1 winner (home) vs. Northeast 2 winner (visitor)
  Final: March 14, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
Region 16 Tournament - March  12 - Xavier University
  Time TBA - Semifinal #1 - Southwest 2 winner (home) vs. Southwest 3 winner (visitor) 
  Time TBA - Semifinal #2 - Southwest 1 winner (home) vs. Central 2 winner (visitor)
  Final: March 14, 2026 at TBA
2026 Division V Tournament Information
DIVISION V - PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
Central District Schools: Africentric Early College, Amanda-Clearcreek, Bishop Ready, Columbus Academy, East Knox, Fairbanks, Fredericktown, Grove City Christian, Harvest Preparatory, Mount Gilead, North Union, Northridge (Johnstown), Pleasant, Utica. (14)
 
DIVISION V - TOURNAMENT DATES and SITES
Division V schools will draw into one of two district tournaments (Central 1, Central 2). Please check the tournament brackets posted on this page for updates. 
Sectional Tournament: February 28, 2026. Played at the better seeded team at 7:00 p.m.
District Semifinals: March 4, 2026. Played at the better seeded team at 7:00 p.m.
District Finals: March 7, 2026.
Mt. Vernon Nazarene University, 800 Martinsburg Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050.  Chip Wilson, Site Manager, P: 740-507-4539, Email:  [email protected].
     Central 1 District Final - March 7 at TBA
     Central 2 District Final - March 7 at TBA
Regional Tournament Qualifiers:  The winner of each district tournament will advance to the Regional Tournament.  Regional Tournament sites are subject to change.  Check the tournament brackets for updates.
Region 18 Tournament - March 11 - Ohio Dominican University, Columbus
 7:00 p.m. - Semifinal #1 - Central 1 winner (home) vs. Central 2 winner (visitor) 
Region 18 Tournament - March 11 - Elida Field House
 7:00 p.m. - Semifinal #1 - Northwest 2 winner (home) vs. Northwest 1 winner (visitor) 
  Final: March 14, 2026 at Ohio Dominican University - Time TBA
2026 Division VI Tournament Information
DIVISION VI - PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
Central District Schools: Berne Union, Cardington-Lincoln, Centerburg, Elgin, Grandview Heights, Granville Christian, Liberty Union, Madison-Plains, Mechanicsburg, Northmor (Johnstown), Tree of Life Christian, Wellington School, West Jefferson. (13)
DIVISION VI - TOURNAMENT DATES and SITES
Division VI schools will draw into one district tournament (Central). Please check the tournament brackets posted on this page for updates. 
Sectional Tournament: February 24 and 28, 2026. Played at the better seeded team at 7:00 p.m.
District Semifinals: March 4, 2026.  Played at the better seeded team at 7:00 p.m.
District Finals: March 7, 2026 at TBA
Ohio Expo Center, 717 East 17th Avenue, Columbus 43211. Kirk Ballinger, Site Manager, P: 740-225-3140, Email: [email protected].
Regional Tournament Qualifiers:  The winner will advance to the Regional Tournament.  Regional Tournament sites are subject to change.  Check the tournament brackets for updates.
Region 23 Tournament - March 12 - Ohio University Convocation Center, Athens
 8:00 p.m. - Semifinal #1 - Southeast 2 winner (home) vs. Southeast 1 winner (visitor) 
 6:00 p.m. - Semifinal #2 - Central 1 winner (home) vs. East 1 winner (visitor)
  Final: March 14, 2026 at TBA
2026 Division VII Tournament Information
DIVISION VII - PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
Central District Schools: Danville, Delaware Christian, Fairfield Christian, Fisher Catholic, Genoa Christian, Liberty Christian, Madison Christian, Millersport, Newark Catholic, Northside Christian, Patriot Preparatory, Ridgedale, Shekinah Christian. (13)
 
DIVISION VII - TOURNAMENT DATES and SITES
Division VII schools will draw into one district tournament (Central 1). Please check the tournament brackets posted on this page for updates. 
Sectional Tournament: February 24 and 27, 2026.  Played at the better seeded team at 7:00 p.m.
District Semifinals: March 3, 2026.  Played at the better seeded team at 7:00 p.m.
District Finals: March 7, 2026
Ohio Dominican University, Alumni Hall, 1216 Sunbury Road, Columbus 43219. Chris Deibel, P: 614-251-4564, Email: [email protected].
Regional Tournament Qualifiers:  The winner will advance to the Regional Tournament.  Regional Tournament sites are subject to change.  Check the tournament brackets for updates.
Region 27 Tournament - March 12 - Ohio Dominican University, Columbus
 5:30 p.m. - Semifinal #1 - Southeast 2 winner (home) vs. Central 1 winner (visitor) 
 8:00 p.m. - Semifinal #2 - Southeast 1 winner (home) vs. East 1 winner (visitor)
  Final: March 14, 2026 at TBA
2026 CENTRAL DISTRICT BOYS BASKETBALL
TOURNAMENT SEEDING
Seeding: MaxPrep RPI will be used to determine the seed of each participating school. Coaches are to complete the required information after each regular season game in MaxPreps.  Coaches will not seed other schools, therefore there will be no seed voting by coaches.  However, coaches will continue to select their line on the tournament bracket at the mandatory coaches meeting.
 
Coaches Draw Meeting: A mandatory meeting of coaches will be held virtually using Microsoft Teams. Bob Britton ([email protected]) will email each coach the links to their specific required coaches meetings prior to those meetings.  Coaches are encouraged to print any materials provided in those emails from Bob Britton to expedite the selection process. Coaches do not need a Microsoft Teams account to participate.
Divisions III thru VII - Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
Division I and II - Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
Please adhere to the seeding and meeting deadlines as there are penalties for each missed deadline.
 
2026 Central District Tournament Brackets
Division I Division II Division III
Division IV Division V Division VI
  Division VII  
2025 BBK D1 State Champion Olentangy Orange
Olentangy Orange High School
2025 Division I State Boys Basketball Champions
 
2025 BBK D2 State Champion Westerville North
Westerville North High School
2025 Division II State Boys Basketball Champions

2025 Sectional & District Tournament Brackets

2025 Sectional & District Tournament Evaluations

Coaches use the button above to access the evaluation form. 
Please submit evaluations prior to April 10, 2025.

2024-25 Boys Basketball Calendar

Aug. 1-31
Coaches No Contact Period
Nov. 1
First Day of Coaching
Nov. 27
Season Begins & Non-Interscholastic Date
Feb. 9
Tournament Draw
Feb. 17 - 22
Sectional Tournament
Feb. 24 - Mar. 1
District Tournament
March 3-9
Regional Tournament
March 10-16
State Semifinals
March 21-22
State Finals
Coaches' No Contact Period begins on the first day after the last interscholastic contest and ends 28 days later.

Regulations, Policies & Manuals

Tournament Information

Boys Basketball Sports Medicine

Boys Basketball