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Princeton

2026 OHSAA Boys Basketball State Championships
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OHSAA Boys Basketball State Championships Preview

| By: OHSAA / Eric Frantz, MaxPreps

Final Four | Princeton vs. St. Edward | Saturday, March 21, 5:30PM @ Wright State #AAGV #GoVikes

2025-26 Boys Basketball OHSAA State Championship Cover

Division I Preview
By Eric Frantz, MaxPreps.com
 
St. Edward (22-4)
The Eagles are in the state tournament for the 13th time and first since 2022. St. Edward won Division I state titles in 2014 (beat Upper Arlington 62-58 OT) and 1998 (beat Cleveland St. Ignatius) and was runner-up in 2008 (lost 65-52 to Newark). The Eagles first trip to state was 1996. St. Edward is ranked No. 6 in the state (regardless of Division) in this week's MaxPreps Computer Rankings and No. 4 in D-I. The Eagles opened a 12-point lead on Elyria in the regional final before outlasting the Panthers 53-50. Senior guard J.T. Kelsheimer and senior forward Zymir Knox had 12 points each against Elyria, while 6-7 junior forward Ian Murray (6.0 points, 3.8 rebounds) had 10, including the game-winning bucket. Senior Bryan Vlosich (19.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.7 steals) is the Northeast Lakes District Player of the Year, while Kelsheimer (11.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.9 steals) and Knox (12.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists) are first and second team selections, respectively. Vlosich, a three-year letterwinner, is the school's all-time leader in made 3-pointers. Head coach Eric Flannery captured his 500th career win with the Eagles in a 65-52 district final victory over Medina. Flannery (576-172 overall in 30 years) is the second St. Edward coach to eclipse 500 wins (and the first in basketball) joining famed hockey mentor Bob Whidden. Flannery, who has coached the Eagles to 12 of their 13 state tournaments, took over at SEHS before the 1996-1997 season. St. Edward dropped its last two regular season games at Toledo St. John's Jesuit (68-57) and versus SPIRE Academy (66-62 OT). The Eagles own wins over D-V semifinalist Lutheran East (62-58) and D-IV semifinalist Glenville (70-64). St. Edward averages 75.5 points and allows 57.7.
 
Princeton (23-3)
The Vikings, ranked No. 2 in Ohio (regardless of Division) and No. 2 in D-I in this week's MaxPreps Computer Rankings, are looking for their first state title in their third trip to the state tournament. Princeton was D-I state runner-up in 2009 (lost 60-58 to Columbus Northland) and Class AAA state runner-up in 1972 (lost 78-67 to Cleveland East Tech). The Vikings have won eight straight since losing 52-49 at Oak Hills on Feb. 13. In the regional final, Princeton throttled that same Oak Hills squad 49-22. That's part of a four-game postseason run in which the Vikings have outscored their opponents 254-136 (average of 64-34). Princeton forced 18 turnovers in the regional final. The Greater Miami Conference runner-up, behind nationally-ranked Lakota West, Princeton is led by junior guard Amire Gill (17.7 points, 4.8 rebounds) and senior guard Rognny Santiago (13.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists). Both have been named first team All-GMC and All-Southwest District. Santiago is committed to the University of Findlay. Sophomore guard Kam Mercer (14.4 points, 5.6 rebounds 3.2 assists) is second team All-GMC and Southwest District. Junior guard Amir Philips (9.7 points, 4.1 rebounds) and senior guard Jordan Johnson (8.5 points, 4.7 assists) are both second team All-GMC selections. Princeton capped the regular season with a 65-61 statement win at D-II semifinalist Lima Senior. The Vikings also own a February win (73-58) over D-III semifinalist Trotwood-Madison. Head coach Bryan Wyant (99-42 in six years) is one win away from No. 100. Princeton averages 62.6 points and allows 46.1.
 
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