As the final dust settles on the regular season, two powerhouse programs from the Miami Valley are celebrating a perfect finish at the top of the state rankings. The last Ohio High School Softball Coaches poll of the season dropped Monday, and it's a banner day for local talent, with seven area teams securing spots in the top five of their respective divisions.
Leading the charge is Kenton Ridge, which capped an immaculate 25-0 season by falling just one first-place vote shy of a unanimous No. 1 ranking in Division IV. The Cougars' dominance has been a story of consistency and clutch play, with Licking Valley—the only other team to earn a first-place nod—also entering the postseason undefeated. That single dissenting vote? It came from a ballot that placed Kenton Ridge second, underscoring just how tight the race for supremacy is.
Not to be outdone, Tri-Village closed out a stellar 17-4 campaign as the top team in Division VI, collecting seven of 12 first-place votes. The Patriots have shown remarkable resilience, and their No. 1 ranking reflects a season of grit and growth.
The Miami Valley's depth shines through in every division. In Division I, Centerville (20-6) grabs the No. 3 spot, while Lakota East (20-5) rounds out the top five. Division III features a standout No. 2 ranking from Greenville (24-1), a team that has been nearly untouchable. Meanwhile, Division V boasts two local squads in the top five: Shawnee (24-3) at No. 3 and Miami East (19-4) at No. 4.
Beyond the top five, several other area teams made their mark in the final poll. Lebanon (17-8) cracks the top 10 in Division I, while Troy (23-2) lands at No. 10 in Division II. Division III sees Talawanda (20-4) at No. 6 and Badin (24-2) at No. 8, and Southeastern (Division VI) rounds out the rankings at No. 6.
With district tournament play kicking off Monday, May 11, these rankings set the stage for what promises to be an electrifying postseason. For fans and players alike, the message is clear: the Miami Valley is a softball powerhouse, and these teams are ready to make some noise on the road to the state championships.