By Jarrod Ulrey, CbusSports.com

After losing in a state semifinal a year ago in its first state tournament appearance, Glenville is looking for a longer run under second-year coach Bryon Ottrix. The Tarblooders lost their final three of the regular season but hit their stride during the postseason, winning their last five to take an 18-9 record into state. The Northeast Lakes District Player of the Year was Glenville senior Theo Castro, who averages 17.3 points, 5.1 assists and 2.1 steals. Senior Arvell Nelson Jr. averages 13.4 points and three rebounds. Junior Gio Ramos, the team’s tallest starter at 6-5, averages 9.4 points and 8.4 rebounds, while sophomores Davon Moore Jr. (6.6 ppg) and Lorenzo Smith (5.6 ppg, 4.8 rebounds) are other starters.

The Panthers were state runner-up in 2024 before winning it all and claiming the Division IV state championship in 2025. Dave Brown is 152-68 in nine seasons as coach for Maysville, which hasn’t lost since its opener and is 26-1. The Panthers are led by guard Gator Nichols, one of five senior starters who averages 24.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, and shoots 41 percent from 3-point range. Nichols was the East District Player of the Year for the second consecutive season and was joined on the all-district first team by Jordyn Watson (14.4 ppg, 7.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists). Kane Roehrig (13.3 ppg, 5.3 rebounds), Landon Iden (11.2 ppg), and Kade Rock (4.8 rebounds) are other starters.

In its first season under coach Andy Hoying, the Pirates are heading to state for the first time. Perkins is 25-2 and has a balanced lineup led by senior forward Kellen Glass, who averages 13.5 points and 6.1 rebounds and was first-team all-Northwest District. Senior Sam Schweinfurth averages 10.6 points and 6.1 rebounds and senior Levi Groot averages 10.7 points and 4.7 rebounds. Other key players for the Pirates include senior guard Kash Koch and junior guard Bryce Davie, starters who each average six points, and junior guard Grant Kuhnle, who averages 7.5 points off the bench.

After having an 83-year drought of making the state tournament end a year ago, the Cowboys are back at state for the second consecutive season and fourth time overall. Wyoming has gone 181-46 in 13 seasons under coach Matt Rooks, whose team is 25-2 and has an all-senior starting lineup. Kellen Wiley averages 18 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists and was the Southwest District Player of the Year. Carlyle Billingsley, who stands 6-8, averages 13.4 points and 7.3 rebounds, and Darren Gray is a starting guard who averages 10.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists. The other starters are Devin Evans, who averages 15 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, and Nick Wilhelm.