Central Catholic girls basketball falls short in OHSAA state final

Team struggles with shooting in loss to St. Henry

Mar. 14, 2026 at 9:55am

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Central Catholic girls basketball team suffered a 53-34 defeat against St. Henry in the Division VI state final on Friday, March 13, at the University of Dayton. The team's coach, Tim Vandervaart, acknowledged that "Basketball is a funny sport" as the team's shooting performance was the complete opposite of their excellent showing in the state semifinal just a day earlier.

Why it matters

Central Catholic's loss in the state final is a disappointing end to their season, especially after their strong performance in the semifinal. The game highlights the unpredictable nature of basketball, where a team's shooting can dramatically change from one game to the next at the highest levels of competition.

The details

Central Catholic struggled mightily with their shooting in the state final, a stark contrast to their excellent performance in the semifinal just a day earlier. The team was unable to find their rhythm and rhythm, leading to the lopsided 53-34 defeat against St. Henry.

  • The state final took place on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the University of Dayton.
  • Central Catholic had an excellent shooting performance in the state semifinal, which was played the day prior on Thursday, March 12, 2026.

The players

Tim Vandervaart

The head coach of the Central Catholic girls basketball team.

St. Henry

The opponent that defeated Central Catholic in the Division VI state final.

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What they’re saying

“Basketball is a funny sport.”

— Tim Vandervaart, Head Coach, Central Catholic Girls Basketball

The takeaway

Central Catholic's loss in the state final is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of basketball, where a team's performance can drastically change from one game to the next. The team's inability to replicate their strong shooting from the semifinal led to a disappointing end to their season, but also highlights the fine margins that exist at the highest levels of competition.