COLUMBUS, Ohio -- It’s district title week in Central Ohio. Across all four divisions, 36 teams remain in Central Ohio. By the end of the week, that number will dwindle to just 10. 

Let’s take a look at what’s on tap in the area in Division III, in the second part of a four-part series this week.

No. 4 Bishop Ready (16-6) vs. No. 7 Johnstown (17-7) - Tues., March 3 at Westerville Central

In what could end up being the best game of the night, Bishop Ready and Johnstown will do battle in what should be a physical matchup. Johnstown comes in as winners of its last eight games, while Ready is 4-4 in that stretch. The key to this game is defense, as both teams like to hold teams under 50 and are generally very successful when they do so. For Ready, the Silver Knights are 15-0 when holding teams under 55 points and 1-6 when they don’t. Johnstown is 14-1 when holding teams under 50 points and 3-6 when they don’t. So it’s simple. The first team to 55 tonight likely wins. And if it stays under that number, it could go either way.

No. 3 North Union (23-0) vs. No. 5 Africentric (13-10) - Tues., March 3 at Olentangy Berlin

The total win streak of the teams in this matchup? 30 games. North Union hasn’t lost in a year and Africentric is winners of its last seven games. Something will have to give on Tuesday at Olentangy Berlin. North Union is the final undefeated team remaining statewide in Division III while Africentric has greatly bounced back from a once 6-10 record. Africentric thrives in transition and creates havoc for opponents, which means North Union will need to take care of the ball to control the tempo of the game. The Wildcats haven’t been sped up at all this season and have yet to face a team with the athleticism and speed of the Nubians. If North Union is able to handle pressure and get their bigs involved, we see the Wildcats being most comfortable and having their best shot to win. However, if Africentric gets off to a hot start and gets its transition game going, the Nubians will have a great shot to advance to the district finals and hand North Union its first and only loss of the season.

No. 1 Harvest Prep (20-3) vs. No. 12 Columbus Academy (11-12) - Tues., March 3 at Bloom-Carroll

A rematch of last year’s district final where Columbus Academy took the eventual state champion Harvest Prep to the wire. With revamped rosters on both sides, two constants remain in senior guards CJ Anthony and Carter Warstler. That’s the battle to watch in this one as Columbus Academy comes in as heavy underdogs. The Vikings are not to be slept on, however, as their MSL-Ohio conference has been the best in the area this tournament with an 11-1 record. Harvest Prep has lost just two games in the state of Ohio in the last three seasons, with its state semifinal loss to Africentric in 2018 and overtime road loss to Olentangy Liberty earlier this year being those only blemishes. If Anthony does what he does and Harvest Prep gets contributions from the rest of the roster, the Warriors should advance to its fourth-straight district final. 

No. 2 Worthington Christian (19-4) vs. No. 8 Northmor (16-7) - Tues., March 3 at Highland

Worthington Christian is one game away from the showdown the whole area has been waiting for since the Warriors jumped into the same bracket as Harvest Prep. In order to get there, Worthington Christian will have to get past KMAC champs Northmor. The Golden Knights are back atop their league for the second time in three years and will have the biggest challenge yet of their season. Northmor senior forward Blake Miller has been outstanding all season long and will present a tough challenge for the Warriors, however, we aren’t sure if Northmor has anyone on the perimeter to guard DJ Moore. If Moore is able to get whatever he wants off the bounce, look for Worthington Christian to get into a rhythm and cruise into the district finals.