News Summary

The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) has announced major divisional changes for the 2025-26 season, impacting both boys and girls basketball teams. Local schools such as Ursuline, LaBrae, and Warren JFK will move up a division, while Jackson Milton’s girls team will drop a division. Other schools across Ohio are also shifting divisions, heightening competition as teams prepare for the upcoming season. Fans can expect a season filled with thrilling matchups and new challenges for all teams involved.

Big Changes Coming for Ohio High School Basketball in 2025-26 Season!

Get ready, basketball fans! The excitement for the upcoming high school basketball season is already heating up in Ohio, and the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) has just rolled out some significant divisional changes that will shake things up for the 2025-26 season.

Local Teams on the Move

This season, our local boys basketball teams are stepping up their game! Three notable teams—Ursuline, LaBrae, and Warren JFK—are making the leap by moving up one division. This is a huge step for these schools as they prepare to face new challenges on the court. Meanwhile, it’s not just the boys who are making a splash. On the girls’ side, we have five teams—Canfield, Ursuline, Columbiana, LaBrae, and Valley Christian—also climbing up a division. Change is in the air, and it’s going to be thrilling to see how these teams adapt!

Jackson Milton Takes a Step Back

On the other side of the coin, the girls’ team at Jackson Milton will be experiencing a drop in division this season. It’s always a bit of a bittersweet situation when teams have to move down; however, it might open the door for fresh opportunities.

How Divisions Are Determined

Ever wonder how the OHSAA decides which teams go where? Well, it’s based on enrollment data and what they call a competitive balance process. This means that teams are shuffled around to ensure competitive fairness across all divisions, leading to better matchups and more exciting games!

More Boys Teams Taking the Leap

In addition to our local teams, other boys teams across Ohio are also gearing up for an uptick in competition. Schools like Avon Lake and Olmsted Falls are shifting from Division III to Division II. Avon Lake has a lot to look forward to this season, especially with a new head coach, T.J. Kwasniak, stepping in after the retirement of Coach Eric Smith. Meanwhile, Elyria Catholic is set to move up to Division III, ready to take on new challenges after a year of rebuilding their roster.

The Little School That Could

And let’s not forget about Open Door! This school will be making headlines as it becomes the state’s smallest school in Division VI. Open Door pulled off a remarkable feat last year, claiming a district title with a record of 19-7, marking their first championship win since 2019. However, the team has recently lost several key players, so it’ll be interesting to see how they fare in the new division.

A Tough Road Ahead

Last season, Division III was considered one of the toughest divisions in the state, particularly in Northeast Ohio. The competition will surely be fierce, and teams will have to bring their A-game. Midview is currently the only school in the Southwestern Conference (SWC) not placed in the top two divisions, making for a unique situation as the new season rolls around.

In Conclusion

As all these changes unfold, excitement builds. Local basketball enthusiasts can expect plenty of thrilling matchups, surprising upsets, and perhaps a few nail-biters. With every team vying for glory in their respective divisions, fans can anticipate a season packed with action. Grab your popcorn, folks—high school basketball in Ohio is about to get kicked into high gear!

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