Tri-Village will launch its 2026-27 girls basketball schedule by hosting what the event announcement calls Darke County's largest girls basketball event. The Dabbelt Report Lady Patriots Tip-Off Classic is set for Nov. 28-29 at the Patriot Activity Center in New Madison, with 20 teams playing 10 games. Four Darke County programs are in the field. Jim Dabbelt, a longtime girls basketball media figure, worked with the Lady Patriots on the event, which follows the Bill Burkett Tournament that Tri-Village had hosted for several years, usually with four county schools.
Saturday's slate has six games, starting at 11 a.m. when New Bremen meets Newton, an 18-win team last season. Mississinawa Valley plays Valley View at 12:45 p.m., Ansonia takes on Franklin Furnace Green at 2:30 p.m., Oxford Talawanda meets Milton-Union at 4:15 p.m., and Brookville faces Minster at 6 p.m.
The nightcap at 7:45 p.m. matches Division III state champion Chaminade Julienne against Division VII state runner-up Russia. Sunday begins at 1 p.m. with Bethel against Northwestern, followed by Greenon-Greenville at 2:45 p.m. and Miami East-Middletown Fenwick at 4:30 p.m. Host Tri-Village closes the weekend against Vandalia Butler at 6:15 p.m.
Coach Brad Gray said hosting the multi-day event is a privilege for the program and that his young squad gets an early test against Butler. Dabbelt, entering his 42nd season covering Ohio girls basketball, said he hoped college coaches would attend to evaluate prospects. He also noted that Mississinawa Valley, Tri-Village and Ansonia reached district finals last season, while Greenville finished third in its MVL division. Daily tickets will be sold, though prices have not been announced.