Spring is upon us, which means the beginning of the end of seasonal depression (fingers crossed), spring breaks, and of course, brackets and betting with March Madness.
This is the annual tournament that determines which men’s and women’s Division I teams will win the NCAA Basketball championships. This year, the games begin on March 18 for men and March 19 for women. However, 2025 March Madness officially starts conveniently right before Saint Patrick’s Day, with the announcement on March 16 of the participating teams on Selection Sunday. So, you can get a head start on your drinking (and screaming).
You can watch the March Madness games live if you still subscribe to the old-school cable box, but who are we kidding—I know you’ve cut the cable and want to stream the games on the internet. Read on at WIRED...
Loveland, Ohio – Apex Sportswear & Promotional Specialties has some fun contests in store for March Madness! If you would like to have the chance to win some UNBELIEVABLE prizes answer the 6 questions on their FaceBook Page!
Contest Rules:
There are 6 rounds with 6 different questions. Post your answers in the comments before the posted deadline date. Winners with correct answers will be selected at random for prizes.
Question 1:
What 8 teams will be selected to play in the “First Four” Play In games in Dayton?
Answers need to be posted by 5 PM on Sunday the 13th. Good Luck!
Fortress Obetz, a 50-acre multi-purpose complex on the Southeast side of Columbus, committed to hosting the OHSAA Cross Country Championships for the next five years.
by Cassie Mattia
Columbus, Ohio – Over the past several weeks many Ohio High School athletes and coaches have been awaiting updates on when they can start up team instruction and competitions again. Last week OHSAA provided several updates on both future competitions and the no-contact ban for Ohio’s High Schools giving hope to many dedicated coaches and athletes across the state.
Loveland High School Athletic Director Brian Conaster said that he received the up-date from OHSAA but is proceeding cautiously before making decisions or announcements to his coaches and athletes. “I am waiting for more clarification and guidance from the OHSAA and other state and local bodies later this week. Once I have this, I can then make a more informed statement,” he said.
New venue for State CC Championships
Fortress Obetz is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment complex in Obetz, Ohio. Its bleacher system holds 6,500 people. Including standing room for events such as concerts, Fortress Obetz can hold nearly 20,000 people. It opened in 2017 on the site of the former Columbus Motor Speedway. Google image of Fortress Obetz
On April 29th, OHSAA announced that Fortress Obetz, a 50-acre multi-purpose complex on the Southeast side of Columbus, committed to hosting the OHSAA Cross Country Championships for the next five years. Last Wednesday, Director of Communications, Tim Stried sent out a press release describing the Fortress Obetz facility.
“The Ohio High School Athletic Association cross country state championships are moving to Fortress Obetz, a 50-acre multi-purpose sports complex with a 6,500-seat grandstand located in Obetz on the southeast side of Columbus, OHSAA Executive Director Jerry Snodgrass announced Wednesday.
Fortress Obetz opened in 2017 on the former site of the Columbus Motor Speedway. The racing that will now take place there in early November represents one of the largest high school cross country events in the country, with more than 11,000 fans.
Jerry Snodgrass gives the State Champion Div. I Women’s Soccer trophy to Loveland in this 2017 Loveland Magazine file photo
Of significance, much of the course will be visible from the 6,500-seat grandstands, which will lead to a greater experience for fans and participants.
‘We can’t wait for our student-athletes and Ohio’s entire cross country community to experience the state championships at Fortress Obetz,’ said Snodgrass. ‘This facility is so impressive, from the course layout for the competitors to be more spectator-friendly for the fans and we are thrilled to sign a five-year agreement. We would like to thank National Trail Raceway for hosting the state championships for the last nine years and doing an outstanding job as our host.’
Fortress Obetz was built to host sporting events, concerts, festivals, and more. It was the home of the Ohio Machine professional lacrosse team from 2017-19. The facility has five video boards, concessions, restrooms, and a huge parking lot.
‘The Village of Obetz is extremely proud and excited to partner with the OHSAA,’ said Steve Adams, National Director of Athletic Operations and Facilities Promotion. ‘We feel our Memorial Park and the Fortress is perfectly suited for the OHSAA Cross Country State Tournament. We have created a safe and challenging course for the runners and kept the spectator experience in mind as well.’
The grandstand includes 1,100 flip-down seats, 2,000 bench-back seats, and 3,400 bleacher seats.
OHSAA Executive Director Jerry Snodgrass
Scioto Downs, located just south of Columbus, hosted the OHSAA cross country state championships from 1985 through 2010 before the facility added a casino. National Trail Raceway in Hebron, 20 miles east of Columbus, hosted the state championships from 2011 through 2019.”
#howicompete campaign
On May 5th, OHSAA released that they would be launching a campaign in collaboration with Allied Organizations called #howicompete. This campaign is meant to encourage student-athletes to train on their own at home while school facilities are closed. The #howicompete campaign will collect and promote messages and videos posted by OHSAA members, media, and allied organizations in hopes that both the messages and videos will inspire athletes to train as hard as they can during the remainder of the COVID-19 pandemic. The press release below from OHSAA goes more in-depth as to what the #howicompete campaign is and how it will benefit student-athletes.
“With school facilities shuttered, student-athletes are not permitted to gather together, therefore the #howicompete campaign encourages training on their own at home and with instructions sent electronically by their school coaches.
Student-athletes and teams are encouraged to set goals and compete against themselves and others while complying with social distancing guidelines. Content will be promoted through the OHSAA’s social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram) on its handle @OHSAASports.
‘The health and safety of all Ohioans is our top priority, but we also want student-athletes to stay focused and motivated to pick up where they left off when school sports return,’ said OHSAA Executive Director Jerry Snodgrass. ‘There are so many things that kids can do on their own or with their parents and siblings. Especially something like running and walking, which is a habit that can stay with them for a long time and keep them healthy as adults.’
Organizations such as the Ohio high school coaches associations, Ohio Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (OIAAA), and many more are asked to help encourage and promote content from student-athletes and tag the OHSAA using #howicompete. The OHSAA is also excited to share this campaign in support of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, which is encouraging stories from competitors whose resilience is helping them Live Forward during this unprecedented health crisis.”
UD to host OHSAA women’s basketball tournaments
The recently renovated University of Dayton Arena.
On May 12th, OHSAA made the announcement that the Ohio High School Women’s Basketball State Tournament would be hosted at the recently renovated University of Dayton for the next three years. In the past, UD has not only hosted 125 NCAA Basketball Tournament games but the state of the art facility has also been the home court for March Madness more than any other athletic facility in the country! The Arena itself can seat up to 13,000 fans. OHSAA’s Executive Director Jerry Snodgrass expressed his excitement for the UD venue in the press release below.
“We are very excited to sign a three-year agreement for our member schools to experience UD Arena,’ Snodgrass said. ‘Southwest Ohio loves and supports basketball and the people at the University of Dayton have made it clear that they really want this state tournament on their campus. We believe that we have found a great home for the Women’s basketball state tournament.’
Photo by the University of Dayton
UD Arena recently completed a transformation project that was the largest construction effort in the University’s history. It is regarded as one of the nation’s premier basketball facilities to go along with fan support that consistently ranks among the best in college basketball.
‘We’re very proud that the OHSAA has entrusted us to host the women’s basketball state tournament at the University of Dayton Arena for the next three years,’ said Scott DeBolt, Senior Associate Athletics Director at the University of Dayton and Executive Director of UD Arena. ‘The same ingredients that make UD Arena the ideal place for the NCAA First Four – community support and excitement for the game of basketball, our facilities, staff, and tournament hosting experience – will help create lifelong memories for the young women who come to Dayton to play in the state tournament and their school communities.’
In the 45 years of the OHSAA girls basketball state tournament, it has been hosted at The Ohio State University 44 times (all but 1986 when it was hosted at the University of Akron). However, there are now a limited number of dates available to use OSU’s Jerome Schottenstein Center or St. John Arena in March.
The 2021 girls basketball state tournament is scheduled for March 11-13. The 2021 OHSAA boys basketball state tournament will be played at St. John Arena March 18-20. There is currently no host site in place for the men’s basketball state tournament in 2022.”
Loveland Magazine readers stay tuned for more of the latest 411 for both Loveland and Ohio sports!
Matt Huether studies stats to predict the outcome of sporting contests
The First Round of the March Madness tournament saw Virginia, Arizona, Wichita State and other top teams lose. Virginia was the first number one seed and number one overall seed to ever lose to a sixteen seed in the first round.
Cincinnati got off to a rough start in their first game but then quickly realized the recipe for success as they won 68 to 53 over Georgia State. For Cincinnati, Sophomore Guard Jarron Cumberland had 27 points on 8 of 17 shooting (4 of 11 on 3’s). Jarron also contributed with 11 rebounds and 2 assists. Cincinnati also saw Senior Forward Kyle Washington put up 13 points on 6 of 17 shooting (1 of 4 on 3’s). Georgia State’s Sophomore Guard D’Marcus Simonds put up 24 points on 10 of 20 shooting (3 of 8 on 3’s).
Xavier won their First Round game by a score of 102 to 83 over Texas Southern. For Xavier, Senior Guard J.P. Macura had 29 points on 11 of 16 shooting (5 of 6 on 3’s). J.P. also had 6 rebounds in 5 steals in the game. Also for Xavier, Senior Guard Trevon Bluiett had 26 points on 7 of 17 shooting (3 of 10 on 3’s). Trevon also had 5 rebounds, 3 assists and a block in Xavier’s Win.
Next for No. 1 Xavier (29-5) is No. 9 Florida State(21-11), the game takes place on Sunday at 8:40 PM.
Next for No. 2 Cincinnati (31-4) is No. 7 Nevada (28-7), the game takes place on Sunday at 6:10 PM. Cincinnati matches up against a talented Nevada team who got their first tournament win since 2004.
U.C. For Cincinnati look for Sophomore Guard Jarron Cumberland who put up 27 points in the first game. Jarron averages 11.3 points per game on 41.6% shooting (33.9% from 3). Jarron also averages 3.9 rebounds a game, 2.9 assists per game and 1.0 steals a game. Also for Cincinnati, look for Senior Forward Gary Clark who averages 12.9 points per game on 52.0% shooting and (43.5% from 3). Gary also averages 8.7 rebounds a game and 2.1 assists per game.
For Nevada, look for Junior Forward Caleb Martin who averages 19.1 points per game on 45.8% shooting (40.4% from 3). Caleb also averages 5.4 rebounds a game, 2.6 assists per game and 1.2 steals a game. Also for Nevada, look for Junior Guard Jordan Caroline who averages 17.8 points per game on 47.3% shooting (32.4% from 3). Jordan also averages 8.7 rebounds a game and 2.2 assists per game. FULL MATCHUP ANALYSIS
Overall: Cincinnati by 11
Estimated Score: 73-62 Cincinnati
MAR 18 (SUN) 6:10 P.M. – NASHVILLE, TN –TV: TNT – RADIO: 700 WLW AM
X For Xavier look for Senior Guard J.P. Macura who averages 12.7 points per game on 47.1% shooting (37.0% from 3). J.P. had 29 points in their first game against Texas Southern. Also for Xavier look for Senior Guard Trevon Bluiett who averages 19.6points per game on 44.1% shooting (41.8% from 3). Trevon had 26 points in the first tournament game. A Notable performance was Kerem Kanter who had 24 points in Xavier’s Win over Texas Southern. Kerem averages 10.8 points per game on 58.3% shooting (34.0% from 3).
For Florida State look for Senior Forward Phil Cofer who averages 13.1 points per game on 49.2% shooting (39.7% from 3). Phil also averages 5.1 rebounds a game and had 9 points on 3 of 6 shooting (1 of 2 on 3’s) in their First Round game versus Missouri. Also for Florida State look for Junior Guard Terance Mann who averages 12.8 points per game on 55.9% shooting (24.5% from 3). A Notable performance was Mfiondu Kabengele who had 14 points on 4 of 10 shooting (1 of 2 from 3) and 12 rebounds in their First Round game versus Missouri. FULL MATCHUP ANALYSIS
Obama Presidential Bracket: President Obama has both Cincinnati and Xavier losing in the Elite 8. President Obama has Cincinnati losing to Virginia who took an early exit after losing to the UMBC Retrievers. President Obama has Xavier losing to North Carolina, who had an impressive First Round game winning 84 to 66 over Lipscomb.
Jarvis Global is an investment advisory firm in Symmes Township, Ohio which offers private portfolio management and retirement services to high net worth individuals.
by Cassie Mattia
“With school facilities shuttered, student-athletes are not permitted to gather together, therefore the #howicompete campaign encourages training on their own at home and with instructions sent electronically by their school coaches.
![[Matt Huether] In 2nd round prediction for Cincinnati & Xavier](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Matt-Huether-2.png)
UMBC Retrievers. President Obama has Xavier losing to North Carolina, who had an impressive First Round game winning 84 to 66 over Lipscomb.
