Division I Top 25 - Week 5
Division I Top 25 - Week 5
After a pre-Christmas shake up, we have a brand new No. 1 for the fourth time in five weeks
Twas the Friday before Christmas and all throughout Central Ohio, chaos ensued in high school basketball. No. 1 Reynoldsburg went down at Newark, Kruz McClure dropped 41 points and helped Westerville South dispatch No. 2 Delaware Hayes, Grove City scored 37 points and won at No. 6 Westerville Central and No. 23 Upper Arlington stormed into No. 8 Olentangy Liberty and came out with a win. All of that has resulted in a brand new No. 1 and a shaken up top five heading into the week. Let’s get into it.
1. Olentangy Orange (6-0)
Last Week: #4
Last Week Games: W vs. #21 Dublin Coffman
This Week Games: Thursday at #2 Westerville North, Saturday vs. #8 Westerville Central
Bottom line: Olentangy Orange is the lone unbeaten remaining in Division I and deserving of the No. 1 spot this week. We’ll see how deserving they truly are with two difficult top eight matchups, including an absolute banger on the road against No. 2 Westerville North on Thursday at 4 p.m. A year ago, Olentangy Orange was also the last undefeated team left in a season that resulted in a district title and regional final appearance.
2. Westerville North (6-1)
Last Week: #5
Last Week Games: W at #17 Westerville South, W vs. Canal Winchester
This Week Games: Thursday vs. #1 Olentangy Orange
Bottom line: Big North. After what I watched last Tuesday against Westerville South, I am confident in my thought that Westerville North might be the most well rounded team in the area. The play of their backcourt and the presence of Vari Adams in the front court makes this team very tough to deal with. Can the Warriors pick up a No. 1 win and demand the top spot in the area this week?
3. Newark (5-1)
Last Week: #3
Last Week Games: L vs. #8 Olentangy Liberty, W vs. #1 Reynoldsburg, W vs. Dayton Northridge
This Week Games: Friday vs. Riverside, Saturday vs. TBD
Bottom line: Had Newark not lost Tuesday against Olentangy Liberty, the Wildcats would be standing alone at No. 1 after a thrilling win over Reynoldsburg at home on Friday. Newark is a legitimate contender in Central Ohio basketball and showed that they can beat anyone when they bring their best. Look for the Wildcats, who stand alone in the OCC-Buckeye, to be 7-1 heading into 2024.
4. Reynoldsburg (5-2)
Last Week: #1
Last Week Games: L at #3 Newark
This Week Games: Saturday at Lima Senior
Bottom line: Reynoldsburg has lost two games in a row and has another very tough challenge on the road in Northwest Ohio against a talented Lima Senior team this week. The Raiders are facing a gauntlet of a schedule this year and cannot afford to play with less than elite energy in any game or they can be beaten, which was the case on Friday. We’ll be in Lima to watch their road show against the Spartans on Saturday.
5. Delaware Hayes (6-1)
Last Week: #2
Last Week Games: W vs. #24 Worthington Kilbourne, L at #17 Westerville South
This Week Games: Wednesday at Mount Vernon, Friday vs. Olentangy Berlin
Bottom line: Delaware Hayes was upset on Friday at Westerville South, as Kruz McClure nearly beat the Pacers by himself. Hayes has two games this week against teams with enough in the cupboard to make things interesting. Hayes is one second and two Jesse Burris free throws away from being 0-2 against Westerville teams in their division. Luckily for them, the return matches against both North and South will be at home.
6. Gahanna Lincoln (6-1)
Last Week: #7
Last Week Games: W at New Albany, W at #13 Licking Heights
This Week Games: Friday at DeSales
Bottom line: Gahanna Lincoln has flown under the radar all season long. The Lions are quietly putting together a strong resume with its only loss coming by two points against Westerville North. It’s just them and the team below them tied for first in the OCC-Ohio at this juncture.
7. Grove City (6-1)
Last Week: #16
Last Week Games: W vs. Hilliard Darby, W at #6 Westerville Central
This Week Games: Thursday at #4 (D2/D3) Bishop Watterson, Saturday at Franklin Heights
Bottom line: Grove City has been the biggest surprise of the early season, winning six games in a row, topped off with a road win at No. 6 Westerville Central last Friday. The Greyhounds will have to sustain that level of play when they take on a tough Bishop Watterson team on Thursday.
8. Westerville Central (5-2)
Last Week: #6
Last Week Games: W vs. #13 Licking Heights, L vs. #16 Grove City
This Week Games: Thursday vs. Dublin Jerome, Saturday at #1 Olentangy Orange
Bottom line: The Warhawks dropped a home game against Grove City last Friday but have the opportunity to really make a statement this week. First is a challenge at home against Dublin Jerome, but Saturday presents an opportunity against top-ranked Olentangy Orange where Westerville Central can get back in the top six.
9. Olentangy Liberty (5-2)
Last Week: #8
Last Week Games: W at #3 Newark, L vs. #23 Upper Arlington
This Week Games: Thursday vs. Battle Ground Academy, Friday vs. Tennessee Heat
Bottom line: Talk about being on both ends of the spectrum. Olentangy Liberty went on the road and handed Newark its only loss, but fell at home to an Upper Arlington team that had lost two of its last three. The Patriots will be out of state this week with games in Tennessee.
10. Pickerington North (4-2)
Last Week: #9
Last Week Games: W at Westland
This Week Games: Friday at Whitehall, Saturday vs. #24 Dublin Coffman
Bottom line: Much like Gahanna Lincoln, Pickerington North has flown under the radar a bit this season, but has consistently ranked among the top 10 teams in the area. The Panthers have the opportunity to notch two more wins this week without having to travel very far.