Circleville girls basketball state tournament run ends in semifinal

Circleville falls to undefeated Bellevue 46-43 in OHSAA Division IV state semifinal

Mar. 12, 2026 at 10:20pm

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The Circleville girls basketball team's historic season came to an end in the OHSAA Division IV state semifinal, as they fell to undefeated Bellevue 46-43. Circleville led for most of the game, but Bellevue rallied late to secure the victory and advance to the state final.

Why it matters

Circleville was making its first-ever state tournament appearance, capping off a remarkable season that saw the team win 23 games and reach the state semifinals. While the loss ends their tournament run, the Tigers' performance this season has put the program on the map and established them as a force to be reckoned with in Ohio high school basketball.

The details

Circleville led for most of the game, including a seven-point advantage at one point, but Bellevue mounted a late comeback. A running bank shot by Ava Jakubcin-Theis with 35 seconds left gave Bellevue the lead for good. Circleville senior Maddie Blakeman led the Tigers with 16 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists, while junior Addison Edgington added 13 points and 5 rebounds. Bellevue was led by senior Kaitlyn Turinsky's 16 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

  • Circleville led for most of the first three quarters and into the fourth quarter.
  • Maddie Blakeman's layup put Circleville ahead 40-39 with 3:50 left in the game.
  • Bellevue took the lead for good on Ava Jakubcin-Theis' shot with 35 seconds remaining.

The players

Maddie Blakeman

A senior guard for Circleville who led the team with 16 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists.

Addison Edgington

A junior forward for Circleville who scored 13 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.

Kaitlyn Turinsky

A senior forward for Bellevue who scored 16 points, had 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

Ava Jakubcin-Theis

A Bellevue player who hit the go-ahead shot in the final minute to give her team the lead for good.

Josh Blakeman

The head coach of the Circleville girls basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“We have had quite a few close games with teams that maybe we shouldn't have had close games with, but I thought [that] came in handy down the stretch. They just don't quit. They kept fighting.”

— Josh Blakeman, Circleville Head Coach

“My shot was feeling pretty good today. I did miss a couple early on, but they went in and out so I knew I was right there. I struggled to get downhill a little bit, so I pulled out and starting making my 3s.”

— Maddie Blakeman, Circleville Senior Guard

“We talked about being tough down the stretch. We weren't very tough early. We asked them to get two stops at the end and we got three. That was the difference.”

— Kory Santoro, Bellevue Head Coach

What’s next

Bellevue will face Shaker Heights Laurel in the Division IV state final on March 14 at 12:30 p.m. at the University of Dayton Arena.

The takeaway

Circleville's historic season came to an end, but their impressive tournament run has established the program as a rising power in Ohio high school basketball. The Tigers' young core and gutsy performance against undefeated Bellevue suggests they will be a team to watch in the coming years.