Peatross (NEO Spotlight) - Dating back to my preseason polls, I fully expected Cincinnati Elder to be on a crash course for the Regional Tournament. The Panthers went undefeated in the GCL South and were led by seniors Sean Keller and Andrew Harp. They also saw the emergence of junior Carson Browne. Turpin's Brady Hardewig had other plans though as he sank a pullup three in overtime to end Elder's run in the District Semifinals. 

Albertson (Triple Double Prospects) - My biggest surprise by far and away was that we saw ZERO teams from the GCL-South advance past sectionals. Unofficially, I'm told this happened one time in the early 90's, and no one seems to know the last time before that. Even more surprising is the fact that three of the four GCL-South teams were high seeds, including Elder, one of the favorites to make it to Regionals. Not too far behind the GCL in terms of shock value, the entire Cincinnati area had a poor showing in D1 District play, as Fairfield was the only team to advance to Regionals.

Stubbs (Around the State Podcast) - The biggest surprise to me has been the Hiland Hawks. Coach Mark Schlabach has to be in the conversation when discussing the state’s top coaches. The Hawks were able to survive two OT games and a double OT contest en route to Dayton. This team in no way resembles Hiland’s elite teams, but the winning culture built in Berlin has allowed this team to find ways to win when the outcome looked bleak.

Goul (cleveland.com) - The Division II field, outside of St. Vincent-St. Mary. My bracket had Cincinnati Woodward and Columbus Beechcroft making it. I also didn’t see Gilmour beating Buchtel in the district finals. That’s part of March’s secret recipe.

Roth (Prep Hoops Ohio) - Gilmour Academy making the Final 4 might be my biggest surprise. I thought the Lancers were a good team and playing well but I wouldn’t have expected them to beat Buchtel and Toledo Central Catholic in back to back games. I now think they’ll advance to the state title game.

Spegal (270 Hoops) - The biggest surprise of the entire tournament so far for me is not a game result, but rather the return of a player. Pickerington Central junior guard Rasheem Biles was supposedly out for the season with an injury before returning to play in the regional finals against Gahanna Lincoln last Saturday, making a noticeable impact on both ends of the floor. Biles is an energy guy off the bench who can guard multiple positions, hit timely shots and make an impact with his energy, making his return crucial for the Tigers as they approach the final four.

Fleer (270 Hoops) - I would say Hilliard Bradley losing to Grove City in the sectional finals. It was the first time since 2017 where Bradley did not advance to the district round. The Jags dominated the area from 2018-2021 and took a bit of a step back in the tournament this year, which allowed Gahanna to roll to the regional final before my second biggest surprise, when they were flat out bullied by Pickerington Central.