As the dust settles on the regular season, two Miami Valley powerhouses have cemented their dominance in the final Ohio High School Softball Coaches poll, released Monday. Kenton Ridge and Tri-Village have earned the top spots in their respective divisions, capping off remarkable campaigns that have fans buzzing across the state.

Kenton Ridge (25-0) came within a whisker of a unanimous No. 1 ranking in Division IV, falling just one first-place vote short. The sole outlier? Fellow undefeated squad Licking Valley, which snagged that first-place nod while appearing second on the Cougars' ballot. It's a testament to the depth of talent in D-IV this season, with both teams entering the postseason without a blemish on their records.

In Division VI, Tri-Village (17-4) flexed their muscle by securing seven of the 12 first-place votes, a strong statement for a team that has battled through a tough schedule. Their resilience will be key as the playoffs heat up.

But the Miami Valley's presence doesn't stop there. Seven teams from the region cracked the top five of their divisions, showcasing the area's softball prowess. In Division I, Centerville (20-6) earned a No. 3 ranking, while Lakota East (20-5) rounded out the top five at No. 5. Division III saw Greenville (24-1) lock in at No. 2, and Division V featured a strong duo with Shawnee (24-3) at No. 3 and Miami East (19-4) at No. 4.

Beyond the top five, several other local squads made their mark in the final rankings. In D-I, Lebanon (17-8) grabbed the No. 10 spot, while Troy (23-2) did the same in D-II. Division III boasted Talawanda (20-4) at No. 6 and Badin (24-2) at No. 8, and Southeastern earned a No. 6 ranking in D-VI.

With district tournament play kicking off Monday, May 11, these rankings set the stage for what promises to be an electrifying postseason. Will Kenton Ridge and Tri-Village carry their momentum to state titles? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure—the Miami Valley is a softball hotbed this spring.