COLUMBUS — The road to Dayton and the state tournament begins this week for area high school girls’ basketball teams.

This season the Ohio High School Athletic Association used the MaxPreps Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) rankings to determine seedings, unlike years past when coaches voted.

According to the OHSAA, the concept of using RPI to determine seeding was proposed by the Ohio Basketball Coaches Association (OHSBCA) and approved by the OHSAA Board of Directors last fall.

The RPI formula was recommended by the OHSBCA, adopted by the OHSAA and is calculated using scores entered into MaxPreps. The formula is comprised of 40 percent winning percentage, 35 percent opponent’s winning percentage, and 25 percent opponent’s opponent’s winning percentage.

A full slate of games is on tap for Saturday, Feb. 17.

In Division I, No. 15 seed Northmont (6-13) will take on No. 8 Centerville (12-8) in the first round in the North 2 sectional on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 11:30 a.m. at Troy High School. The winner advances to the sectional final to play No. 5 Sidney (16-5) on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m.

In Division II, Eaton (1-21) is the No. 20 seed and will battle No. 3 Carroll (13-6) in the North 3 sectional first round at Trotwood Madison on Saturday, Feb. 17 at noon. The winner moves on to the sectional final against No. 19 Kenton Ridge (2-17) on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 5:30 p.m.

In Division III, Preble Shawnee (6-12) is the No. 17 seed and will play No. 5 Versailles (13-7) in the North 2 sectional at Covington High School on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 12:30 p.m. The winner advances to the sectional final to play either No. 13 Brookville (8-12) or No. 14 Dayton Christian (7-10) on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 7:30. Brookville and DC will play on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 3:30 p.m.

In Division IV, National Trail (6-13) is the No. 18 seed and will play No. 2 Tri-Village (16-3) in the first round of the North 1 sectional at Versailles High School on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 11 a.m. The winner will meet No. 20 Fairlawn (2-18) in the sectional final on Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 6 p.m.

In the North 4 sectional upper bracket at Sidney High School, No. 22 Twin Valley South (1-21) will take on top-seed Fort Loramie (18-2) at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17. The winner plays No. 21 Maimi Valley (2-7) in the sectional final on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m.

In the North 4 lower bracket, No. 13 Tri-County North (11-11) will play No. 12 Lehman Catholic in the sectional final Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m. with the winner advancing to the district semifinal on Monday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Reach Eddie Mowen Jr. at 937-683-4061 and follow on X @emowenjr.