Fort Loramie (29-1) defeated McDonald (24-3) in the championship game of the Division IV OHSAA girls basketball state tournament. The win gave Fort Loramie its third Division IV state championship in program history, having previously won championships in both 2013 and 2015. McDonald was on a 15-game win streak and advanced to the program’s second appearance in the state finals since 1991.
Fort Loramie got off to a fast start, leading McDonald 17-2 after the first quarter. McDonald committed nine turnovers in the first quarter and 25 overall.
Fort Loramie was led by Senior Dana Rose with 13 points and 5 rebounds, and Senior Kenzie Hoelscher with 10 points and 5 rebounds. Junior Ava Sholtis led the Redskins on the defensive end with 6 rebounds and 2 blocks.
For McDonald, Senior Molly Howard led the team with 10 points, while Senior Taylor Tuchek added 9.
Fort Loramie led McDonald in bench points 23-0 and 25-9 off of turnovers.
Division III
Berlin Hiland (28-1) 45
Ottawa-Glandorf (26-3) 25
Berlin Hiland (28-1) defeated Ottawa-Glandorf (26-3) in the championship game of the Division III OHSAA girls basketball state tournament.
Ottawa-Glandorf took an early lead, but Hiland quickly answered back, taking the advantage 10-7 after the first quarter.
Hiland held Ottawa-Glandorf to just four points in both the second and third quarters, gaining a 27-15 edge heading into the final quarter.
Ottawa-Glandorf led in rebounds, points in the paint and second chance points, but ultimately fell short against Hiland 24-45.
Senior Brynn Mullett lead Hiland with 14 points, while Senior Zoe Miller put up a double double with 12 points and team high 11 rebounds. Senior Kyli Horn lead the team with three assists, and Senior Morgan Yoder led the team in steals with five.
For Ottawa-Glandorf, Sophomore Chloee Glenn lead the team with 8 points and 8 rebounds, followed closely by Junior Erin Kaufman with 7 points and 6 rebounds.
This was Ottawa-Glandorf’s fifth girls basketball state tournament appearance in the last seven years and the third time it has been state runner-up. They also were state runners-up in 2015 and 2016 and was a state semifinalist in 2017 and 2018.
Berlin Hiland’s win on Saturday was the program's sixth. They previously won state championships in 2000, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2017. Berlin Hiland has made it to the final four 18 times, the most in OHSAA girls basketball history.
Division II
Napoleon (26-1) 76
McArthur Vinton County (26-2) 44
Napoleon (26-1) defeated McArthur Vinton County (26-2) in the championship game of the Division II OHSAA girls basketball state tournament.
Napoleon stayed in the lead for 31 out of the 32 minutes of play. Senior Taylor Strock led Napoleon with 23 points and 7 rebounds. Senior Caely Ressler finished with 18 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists.
For Vinton County, Senior Morgan Bentley led the way with 21 points, while Junior Cameron Zinn had 13 points and led the team with 11 rebounds.
Last year, Napoleon won 51 out of 52 games and never made it to the state championship because of COVID-19. The win was the programs first state championship.
This year was Vinton County’s first trip to the state semifinals and first year as state runner up.
Division I
Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame (28-0) 57
Newark (27-2) 55
Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame (28-0) defeated Newark (27-2) in the Division I OHSAA girls basketball state championship game.
It took double overtime, but Mount Notre Dame claimed its second state title in the past three seasons. It was MND's eighth state girls basketball championship overall, the most in Ohio High School Athletic Association history. MND has won 72 consecutive games.
Newark’s last time in the state tournament was 2020, which was cancelled due to COVID-19. They were looking to win its first state championship. Newark has been to the state tournament three other times, in 2015, 2017 and 2020.
Junior KK Bransford led Mount Notre dame with 21 points, while Senior Laila Phelia had 11. Bransford Sophomore Taylor Stanley and Junior Abby Wolterman all led the team with 8 rebounds a piece.
Junior Gwen Stare led Newark’s offense with 19 points, alongside Junior Maddy Vejicky with 18. Senior Emma Shumate led on the defensive end with 13 blocks and 4 rebounds.
Mount Notre Dame took the advantage in turnovers 16-4 and fast breaks 16-7.