Bellevue, Margaretta scheduled for 2026 CITC

Bellevue and Margaretta are headed back to Classic in the Country this upcoming season. CITC, a girls basketball showcase now in its 23rd season, runs January 17-19, 2026. Teams familiar with the trip to Berlin, Ohio in the heart of Amish Country, the Lady Red and Polar Bears found out earlier this week who they will officially face. Bellevue, the defending Division IV state champions, will take on the hosts, Hiland in the primetime 7:30 p.m. slot Saturday. "We are honored to be selected to play," Bellevue coach Kory Santoro said. "I like the time slot on Saturday night because it feels more like a normal game. We're excited." The Lady Red pounded Strasburg-Franklin last year at CITC, but it came late Monday night where most fans in the state were preparing to watch Ohio State face Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff national championship game. "I am excited for our girls basketball program being selected to play in Classic in the Country again," Bellevue athletic director Cory Cramer said. "It is a credit to our past and present teams and coaches. They look forward to this exciting weekend and the challenge of playing another top tier team in the state of Ohio. "Having the opportunity to play in back-to-back years and in one of the prime time slots is a true testament to the respect our program has among the other programs in Ohio." Hiland was 22-5 last year, falling in the Division VII regional finals to eventual state champion Waterford. The Hawks are coached by Brady Schlabach. His father, Dave Schlabach, coached Hiland to almost 700 wins while winning six state titles in 30 seasons. "I am very familiar with their head coach," Santoro said. "He's been over to our house many times as he was Carly's (Kory's oldest daughter) manager at Ohio State. We know him well and he does an excellent job with his team. We've scrimmaged in the past, so we're familiar." Margaretta will make its eighth-straight trip to CITC and the Polar Bears will find themselves in a familiar timeslot. The Polar Bears take on Granville to open Sunday's slate at 12 p.m. "Every year is a honor and great experience for our basketball program in many, many ways," Margaretta coach Ray Neill said. "From the venue to the competition to the exposure to the food, all of that." Granville was 24-3 last year, losing to Toledo Notre Dame in a Division III regional final. "We're honored to be someone that they have chosen to play for eight consecutive years," Neill said. "That's a testament to the program. You're playing someone different every year. It's a different style every year and teams with different levels of talent. "It never gets old." Bellevue and Margaretta will get the chance to play in front of dozens of college coaches ranging from high-level Division I to Division III and NAIA. Both schools have college basketball commits already. "We are super excited to have both Bellevue and Margaretta back at the CITC this year," CITC director Bryce McKey said. "They are two of the most consistent, winning programs in their area and both bring incredible fan bases which help create the atmosphere that makes CITC special." CITC to utilize shot clock One switch to CITC this season is the use of a shot clock. The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association announced earlier this week that CITC, along with two boys showcases on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, will be played with a shot clock. "We are incredibly honored and excited to be selected by the OHSBCA as one of the first events in Ohio to use the shot clock," McKey said. "We know college coaches will appreciate seeing a style of play that mirrors the collegiate game as they evaluate future recruits. We look forward to receiving feedback from players, coaches and scouts, as we continually strive to enhance the Classic in the Country." Santoro has mixed emotions about it, as it's the only game this season Bellevue will play with a shot clock. The shot clock has not been approved as a whole in Ohio. "It's a nice challenge to prepare for," Santoro said. "I don't know if I like it because it's not how we will play all year or in the tournament trail. I think a shot clock is going to be here eventually, so it's good to get some experience with it. There's good and bad to it, but it's another challenge for our girls." Neill echoed Santoro's thoughts about the shot clock becoming a state-wide mandate soon. "When we found that out a few days ago, we thought it was exciting," Neill said. "I think it's something that the state is looking to implement soon. We're excited to be part of the process."