This week will begin the OHSAA tournament season for all the Northeast District Division 2 programs. There are three Sectional tournaments this week and the top four teams and top four individuals not on a qualifying team from each tournament will qualify for the District Tournament on October 1st at Good Park Golf Course in Akron.

The Pines Sectional (Monday, September 22)

Keystone has had a phenomenal year and will go into Orrville as the favorites to win the Sectional Championship. They are led by sophomore Sophia Clarico, who has lived up to all the hype surrounding her. She has a deep support cast and the Wildcats will look to continue their impressive run. A young Tuslaw team and a senior led Canton South will be looking to join Keystone on their way to Akron. The strength of the field at The Pines will not match the depth of the other two sites and will give many teams an opportunity to make a run. Our Lady of the Elms, Northwest, Wellington, and Canton Central Catholic are teams to keep an eye on.

Pine Lakes Sectional (Thursday, September 25)

The Pine Lakes Sectional will once again run through the Columbiana Clippers. Columbiana has proven to be a State contender year in and year out. Junior Maddie Jackson along with a strong group of talented upperclassmen provide the muscle for Columbiana to fight their way out of Hubbard. The 2 through 4 spots will be a bit of a toss up to get out of Pine Lakes. Lakeview has made a really good run this season. West Branch and Mineral Ridge will also have a say when it comes to the final advancing spots. Other teams with a good chance to claim a spot in Akron include Champion, LaBrae, Ursuline, Girard, United, and Poland.

Punderson Sectional (Thursday, September 25)

Pine Lakes will not get all the coverage on the 25th. Punderson will easily have the deepest of the three sectionals and there will be several teams that will be left out of the District Tournament who probably would normally be deserving of a spot. The top four contenders for the Sectional title are Southeast, Edgewood, Chagrin Falls, and Orange. Edgewood’s season has been hampered by injuries and if they are healthy, they are a team to be reckoned with. Southeast is always a favorite to move on, while Chagrin Falls and Orange will continue their rivalry in the postseason. Lake Catholic and Rootstown have both had all time seasons and have a good shot to grab one of the four qualifying positions. Pymatuning Valley, Bristol, Gilmour, Perry, and Springfield are all team that have the ability to advance. It’s unfortunate that only four teams will come out of this group, because there are quite a few deserving schools.

Best of luck to all Division 2 teams this week!