Softball fans, get ready for an action-packed postseason! The Ohio High School Athletic Association has released the district tournament draws for Divisions I and II, and there's plenty of drama to unpack. With seeds finalized on May 8 using the MaxPreps RPI formula, teams now know their path to glory—and it's a whole new ballgame this year.
For the first time, the Southwest District is rolling out a "super draw" format, approved back in March. Instead of splitting Dayton and Cincinnati schools into separate North and South districts, all teams in Division I and Division II will compete in a single, unified draw. This shake-up promises more intense matchups and a true test of regional dominance.
The action tips off Monday, May 11, with district finals set for May 20-21. All games leading up to the finals will be hosted by the higher seed, while district final locations are still to be announced. Regional finals follow on May 29, and the ultimate prize—the state finals at Akron's Firestone Stadium—runs from June 3-7. (Note: Divisions III through VII had their draws last week.)
Here's a breakdown of the top storylines and seeds for Divisions I and II, based on records when rankings were locked in.
Division I: Centerville Leads the Pack
Centerville, the Greater Western Ohio Conference champions, snagged the top overall seed with a 20-6 record against the second-toughest schedule among 21 teams in the Southwest District. The Elks are poised for a deep run, but they'll need to watch out for a stacked field. Milford (21-3) earned the two-seed, followed by Lakota East (20-5), Oak Hills (18-5), and defending state champion Lebanon (17-9).
Rounding out the top 10: Hamilton (14-7) at seven, Springboro (16-10) at eight, Beavercreek (14-9) at nine, and Lakota West (12-10) at 10. Notably, Centerville's bracket lacks any seeds above 10, which could work in their favor. Meanwhile, the Milford-Mason (15-10, six-seed) matchup looms as a potential district final thriller.
In a regional twist, Oak Hills and Hamilton will head to Region 1, while the rest of the field lands in Region 4. Region 4 semifinals and finals will be played at Indian Hill High School, while Region 1 semifinals head to London High School, with the finals at Olentangy High School.
Division II: Kings and Troy Set the Pace
Kings, the Eastern Cincinnati Conference champions with a stellar 22-1 record, earned the top seed. Troy (23-2) is hot on their heels at two, with Harrison (14-7) taking the three-spot. Fairborn (17-5) and Little Miami (17-8) complete the top five, while Northmont (14-9) sits at six.
The top four seeds are strategically separated until regionals, setting up potential blockbuster clashes. Keep an eye on Fairborn and Little Miami, who could meet in a district final. All Region 5 semifinals and finals will be hosted at Mason High School.
For the complete brackets and full seed list, head to the Southwest District Athletic Board website. Whether you're a player, coach, or fan, this postseason is shaping up to be one for the books—grab your gear and get ready to cheer!