Girls basketball state tournament: The road to Columbus begins

The Lima region loves basketball.

Today, Sports Editor Ross Bishoff provides a primer to the 2012 state tournament and looks back at some of the history of the tournament since it began in 1976.

THIS YEAR

7 or 8

The magic number of wins it will take to become a state champion

SEE THE TOURNAMENT BRACKETS HERE.

ABOUT THE DIVISIONS

Division I: 359 or more girls
Division II: 206 to 358 girls
Division III: 119 to 205 girls
Division IV: 118 and under

BEST SHOTS FOR TITLES…

1. OTTOVILLE: No. 1 rated team in Division IV with a 20-0 record. Read more about Ottoville.
2. BATH: No. 6 rated team in Division II with 18-2 record. Made it to regional finals a year ago. Read more about Bath.
3. DELPHOS JEFFERSON: 14-6 record. Made it to state semifinals a year ago. Read more about Jefferson.

THE SLEEPER…

Lima Senior has 13-7 record against tough competition. Read more about Lima Senior.

SEVEN PLAYERS TO WATCH:

1. Kaylee Patton, Waynesfield-Goshen. Read more about Kaylee Patton.
2. Abby Siefker, Ottoville. Read more about Abby Siefker.
3. Emily Ruhe, Bath. Read more about Emily Ruhe.
4. Kaitlin Singhaus, Bath. Read more about Kaitlin Singhaus.
5. Shantay Glenn, Shawnee. Read more about Shantay Glenn.
6. Kennedy Boggs, Delphos Jefferson. Read more about Kennedy Boggs.
7. Indiya Benjamin, Lima Senior. Read more about Indiya Benjamin.

ONE MORE CHANCE…

Shawnee hopes to meet Bath in the district finals in Paulding, so it can try to put an end to a 52-game losing streak to the Wildkittens.

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Waynesfield-Goshen star Kaylee Patton is the daughter of Tigers’ coach Ted Patton. This season Kaylee broke the career scoring record, which was held by her sister, Lisa (Patton) Bruggeman in 1997.

TOUGHEST DISTRICTS

• Paulding is being called “the WBL district.”
• Lima is filled with “rivalries”

CATCH UP WITH OUR GIRLS BASKETBALL COVERAGE

THE AREA RECORD BOOK

STATE CHAMPIONS (21)
5 – Delphos St. John’s: 2002, 1987, 1980, 1979, 1977:
3 – Kalida: 1997, 1989, 1988
2 – Minster, 2004, 1988
2 – Coldwater: 1992, 1990
2 – Jackson Center: 2001, 1995
2 – Upper Scioto Valley: 1994, 1993
1 – Marion Local: 2003
1 – Elida: 1997
1 – Celina: 1991
1 – Bath: 1987
1 – Ada: 1978

FINAL FOUR APPEARANCES (52)
10 – Delphos St. John’s: 2007, 2002, 2000, 1987, 1984, 1983, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977
5 – Bath: 2008, 2002, 1997, 1996, 1987
4 – Coldwater: 1992 1990, 1988, 1985
4 – Crestview: 2009, 2008, 1985, 1976
4 – Ottoville: 2007, 2005, 1996, 1993
3 – Minster: 2010, 2004, 1998
3 – Elida: 1997, 1995, 1990
3 – Kalida: 1997, 1989 and 1988.
2 – Bluffton: 2000, 1999
2 – Celina: 1991, 1988
2 – Jackson Center: 2001, 1995.
2 – Marion Local: 2003, 2000
2 – Upper Scioto Valley: 1994, 1993
1 - Delphos Jefferson: 2011
1 – Wapakoneta: 2009
1 – New Knoxville: 2007.
1 – Miller City: 2004
1 – Lima Senior: 1989
1 – Ada: 1978
1 – Allen East: 1995

AREA’S ALL-TIME LEADING SCORER
Caity Matter, Bluffton (1996-2000) – 2,274 points

MOST POINTS IN A TOURNAMENT GAME
LeaAnn Mullins, Upper Scioto Valley, 59 points

MOST WINS
Bath: 716

LONGEST WINNING STREAKS
Bath: 62 games (1972-76)
Kalida: 59 games (1988-1990)