State Tournament 2026 Top Teams-Division 4/Region 16

Archbishop Alter (16-6)- The Knights are always one of the better teams in Dayton and had a tall task replacing a winning 2025 class. Wins over Badin, Northmont and Tippecanoe are impressive, and the Knights enter the postseason on a 5-game win streak. Freshman William Peagler Jr has had a breakout season and looks to lead the Knights to yet another Regional appearance.

Caledonia River Valley (18-5)- The Vikings started the season 3-3 with tough losses to Olentangy Berlin, Jonathan Alder and Bishop Watterson. Since then River Valley has found their footing and have dropped just two games. Wins over Ontario (twice) and Shelby (twice) were impressive as the Vikings sit as the 2-seed. A potential District Final with Johnstown will be intriguing as the Vikings won by 3 in OT just a few weeks ago.

Cincinnati Wyoming (20-2)- The Cowboys were arguably the best team in Division IV at one point with an 18-0 start. Wins over Centerville, Huber Heights Wayne, LaSalle and Ferndale (MI) prove how talented this group is. Back-to-back losses to Cincinnati St. Xavier and Elder ended the unbeaten campaign, but Wyoming still enters the tournament as Cincinnati’s top seed. Kellen Wiley and Carlyle Billingsley have been instrumental for the past 4 years and will try to get over the Regional hump.

Dayton Northridge (22-1)- The Polar Bears took a tough loss to Westerville North back in December. Since then Northridge has won 20-straight games with victories over Mason, Margaretta, Troy Christian (twice) and Lehman Catholic (twice). Sophomore Keonte Smith has proven he is the state’s most talented 2028 prospect and put the Polar Bears on his back. A potential District Semifinal with Dunbar poses a test, as does a District Final with Cincinnati Taft. If Northridge can come out victorious in both games, they have a real chance to win the Region.