Ohio High School Division IV Boys Basketball 2026 Playoff Brackets, Schedule (OHSAA) - February 19, 2026

COLUMBUS — The road to the 2026 OHSAA Division IV boys basketball state title begins Sunday, Feb. 23, when 64 regional-round hopefuls trim their nets for the first time. Championship weekend is slated for March 14 at State Farm Center, but before anyone books a trip, a gauntlet of win-or-go-home matchups will decide which small-school powers survive.

Opening-round action tips off as early as Monday, Feb. 24. No. 8 Bloom-Carroll welcomes No. 9 KIPP Columbus, while No. 3 Fairfield Union draws No. 6 New Lexington in another 24 February clash. The following evening, No. 8 East faces Horizon Science Academy, and No. 8 Northwestern meets No. 9 Benjamin Logan, setting a brisk early pace.

Thursday, Feb. 27, delivers a quartet of compelling showdowns. No. 4 Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin squares off with No. 5 Firelands, No. 3 Lincoln West battles No. 6 Warrensville Heights, No. 4 Gallia Academy meets No. 5 Vinton County, and No. 3 Bishop Fenwick tests No. 6 Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy.

The first weekend of March intensifies the drama. Friday, Feb. 28, features No. 3 Columbus International versus No. 6 River Valley and No. 4 Licking Valley against No. 5 Johnstown-Monroe. No. 2 Gamble Montessori faces No. 7 Shroder Paideia Academy the same evening. The sectionals conclude Saturday, Mar. 1, when No. 2 Eastmoor Academy and No. 7 Buckeye Valley collide in one of the final tickets to the district level.

With brackets locked and seeds set, the next three weeks will determine which Division IV program cuts down the nets in Champaign.