In south central Ohio, where Friday night lights give way to winter hoops fever, the Ross County high school boys basketball scene has delivered one of the most dominant conference runs in recent memory. As of March 4, 2026, with the regular season wrapped and the OHSAA postseason heating up, the Unioto Shermans stand alone at the top of the Scioto Valley Conference (SVC) – undefeated and looking every bit like a team built for a deep tournament push.
According to MaxPreps, the official source for OHSAA seeding and stats, Unioto finished a flawless 14-0 in SVC play, posting an overall record of 19-3 (.864 winning percentage). That’s right – no conference losses, a rarity that speaks to their consistency, defense, and ability to close out games against familiar rivals. Zane Trace Pioneers sit in second at 12-2 in the league (.857) and 18-6 overall (.750), while Adena Warriors round out the top three Ross County squads in the standings with 8-6 conference (.571) and 14-9 overall (.609).
The SVC has been a battleground all season, but Unioto’s perfect mark sets them apart. They’ve handled business night in and night out, from blowout wins to gritty road victories, proving why they’re ranked among the stronger Division IV programs statewide. Zane Trace has been right there, splitting games with top foes but falling just short of matching Unioto’s perfection. Adena, meanwhile, has shown resilience with a winning overall record and solid conference play that keeps them in the postseason conversation.
Now the focus shifts to the OHSAA district tournaments, running March 2-7, 2026, following sectional action that wrapped in late February. Unioto, seeded highly in Division IV thanks to their RPI (Ratings Percentage Index), enters as a favorite in their bracket. Zane Trace competes in Division V, where their strong season positions them well for a run. Other Ross County teams like the Huntington Red Devils (8-6 in SVC per earlier reports, with a competitive 15-6 overall noted in some sources), Chillicothe Cavaliers, and Paint Valley Bears are also in the mix through their alignments, battling in district play for a shot at regionals (March 9-15) and beyond to the state finals (March 19-22).
Early district results can swing momentum fast – upsets happen, hot shooters emerge, and role players step up when it matters most. Unioto’s depth and experience make them dangerous, but Zane Trace’s balanced attack and Adena’s toughness mean Ross County could send multiple teams deep. Fans in Chillicothe and surrounding areas know this: when local squads get rolling in March, the community rallies like few others.
