State Tournament 2026 Top Teams-Division 5/Region 17

Canton Central Catholic (12-11)- The Crusaders have struggled this year playing an independent schedule. Playing multiple big schools have given CCC different looks during the season. A win over Colonel Crawford is an example the Crusaders can beat said big teams. With Will Minor in the paint, the Crusaders will look to pull two straight upsets against LaBrae and Akron Manchester to get a District title.

Fairview (16-7)- The Warriors enter the tournament as the 6-seed in the Northeast District. Fairview is a team that is capable of scoring in the high 70s and has been able to score against some tougher teams during the year. The Warriors have already defeated Mentor Lake Catholic to start the tournament and had put together two straight double-digit wins entering tournament play.

Keystone (18-5)- The Wildcats started the season with 8 straight wins before seeing some of their losses trickle in throughout the season. The one positive? Keystone’s losses have all been by 6 or less points. This is a team capable of creating problems for 32 minutes and has a heck of a matchup potentially with Chagrin Falls if the two advance to the District Finals.

Lutheran East (18-2)- The defending Division V state champions are again the top seed in Northeast Ohio and are the favorites to cut down the nets at UD Arena. The Falcons have beaten Reynoldsburg, Westerville North, Cleveland St. Ignatius and Garfield Heights while playing an extremely competitive schedule. Their lone losses came to Maysville and St. Ed’s. Chris Hill and Dylan Zeigler lead the Lue.