December Power Rankings: Division II
After one month, let’s try to answer the most important question in high school basketball: Who’s the best team in Ohio? Here’s our top ten based on wins and losses in December, margins of victory, and talent level.
1. Beechcroft (7-0)
Quality wins: Northland, Newark
Point differential: +29
Top prospects: Jelani Simmons (2018), Datrey Long (2018), Elijah Bishop (2018), Teon Jennings (2018), Therron Jennings (2018), Na’elle Simmons (2019)
2. Wauseon (8-0)
Quality wins: Archbold, Genoa
Point differential: +28.8
Top prospects: Austin Rotroff (2018), Brooks Gype (2018)
3. Eastmoor Academy (7-2)
Quality wins: De La Salle (MI), Columbus South, Purcell Marian, Dayton Dunbar, Africentric
Losses: Archbishop Moeller, Detroit MLK (MI)
Point differential: +7.9
Top prospects: Taevion Kinsey (2018), Stanley Williams (2018), Tariq Brown (2018), Randy Olverson (2018)
4. Holy Name (7-0)
Quality wins: Elyria Catholic, Bay
Point differential: +33.6
Top prospects: Dwayne Cohill (2018), Quentin Richardson (2020), Brandon Styers (2018)
5. Lake Catholic (6-0)
Quality win: Archbishop Hoban
Point differential: +25.7
Top prospects: Luka Eller (2020), Luke Frazier (2020)
6. Proctorville Fairland (7-2)
Losses: Cox Mill (NC), Lanett (AL)
Top prospects: Kollin Van Horn (2018), Isaiah Howell (2018), Gunner Short (2018), Ty Staten (2018), Keedrick Cunningham (2018)
7. St. Vincent-St. Mary (3-3)
Quality wins: Trotwood-Madison, Villa Angela-St. Joseph
Losses: Garfield Heights, Pickerington Central, Stow
Point differential: +8.7
Top prospects: Seth Wilson (2021), Jalen Ross (2020), Lunden McDay (2019), Malaki Branham (2021), Scott Walter (2018), Chris Painter (2019)
8. Trotwood-Madison (5-2)
Losses: Dayton Wayne, St. Vincent-St. Mary
Point differential: +31.7
Top prospects: Amari Davis (2019), Myles Belyeu (2018), Carl Blanton (2020), Sammy Anderson (2020), Justin Stephens (2019)
9. Cincinnati Woodward (7-1)
Quality win: Hughes
Loss: Little Miami
Point differential: +11.3
Top prospects: Terry Durham (2018), Dionte McBride (2019), Demontez Cooper (2018)
10. Hughes (7-1)
Quality win: Gulliver Prep (FL), St. Xavier
Loss: Cincinnati Woodward
Point differential: +11
Top prospects: Giovanni Santiago (2018), Dominic “DJ” Brewton (2018), Shawn Hawkins (2018), Dwayne Rosado (2018), Arian “AJ” Smith (2018)
Notes: Senior transfer DJ Brewton is yet to play for Hughes because of transferring regulations.
Honorable mention (alphabetical): Archbishop McNicholas, Bishop Fenwick, Chillicothe Unioto, Columbus East, Columbus South, Elida, Gilmour Academy, Indian Hill