COLUMBUS – The Ohio High School Athletic Association released the first MaxPreps Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) rankings on Wednesday for girls and boys basketball. Toward the end of the regular-season, RPI data will be used to determine seeding for the statewide district tournament draws, which are February 4 for girls and February 11 for boys.
In the Division II Southeast District for boys basketball, Washington (9-2) is currently the No. 1 seed in the district, and Miami Trace (10-3) is currently the No. 4 seed in the district. Jackson (9-4) is the No. 8 seed, Hillsboro (6-4) is the No. 10 seed, and McClain (1-10) is the No. 19 seed. There are a total of 20 teams in the district.
In the Division II Southeast District for girls basketball, Sheridan (10-0) is the No. 1 seed. Jackson (9-2) is currently the No. 8 seed, McClain (6-5) is the No. 11 seed, Washington 7-6) is the No. 14 seed, Hillsboro (5-7 is the No. 16 seed, and Miami Trace (4-8) is the No. 17 seed, out of 19 schools in the district.
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. Previously, coaches in each district voted to determine basketball tournament seeding.
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. The winning team is required to enter the score into MaxPreps, or for out-of-state opponents, the Ohio school must enter the score if it is not entered by the out-of-state school.
The school groupings are determined by how each of the OHSAA’s six District Athletic Boards set up the seeding for their specific district. The Central, East, Northeast and Southeast Districts put all the schools together in each division, while the Southwest District divides its schools into North and South groups, and the Northwest District divides its schools into smaller groups.
The final reporting dates for scores to be entered and utilized in the RPI are 11:59 PM on February 2 for girls and February 9 for boys. As was the case previously, regular-season games continue after the tournament draw.
The OHSAA has utilized a version of RPI data to determine football playoff qualifiers since 1972. The OHSAA will continue to explore using RPI data to determine seeding in additional sports.
