NEO Top 25 rankings: Hoban, Brunswick crack top 10
Another week of the boys basketball season is in the books, and there’s plenty to discuss for the top 25 teams for the Cleveland/Akron area. See who rose and fell below.
Check back every Monday for the newest rankings (last week’s rankings in parentheticals).
1. Garfield Heights (1)
Record: 7-0
It was Frankie Hughes’ turn to lead the way this past week as he averaged 24.5 ppg in two wins. The Bulldogs have won by double-digits in five of their seven games.
Last week: Defeated Shaw and Memphis Ridgeway
This week: Dec. 23 vs. Shaker Heights
2. St. Vincent-St. Mary (2)
Record: 4-1
The Irish are rolling right now, as they picked up their fourth-straight win after dropping the season opener. Henry Baddley scored in double-figures in every game this past week.
Last week: Defeated Youngstown Ursuline, Uniontown Lake and Whitney Young (Ill.).
This week: Dec. 22 vs. Firestone
3. Medina (3)
Record: 5-0
Among the most underrated players in the are is Medina guard Luke Schaefer, who averaged 24 ppg this past week. He’ll try to stay hot against a pesky Olmsted Falls team.
Last week: Defeated Wadsworth and Euclid
This week: Dec. 22 vs. Olmsted Falls
4. Beachwood (4)
Record: 5-0
A win over Perry this past week leaves little doubt that Beachwood is yet again the best team in its conference. Now the Bisons face their biggest test of the season with a game against No. 7 St. Edward.
Last week: Defeated Perry
First game: Dec. 22 vs. No. 7 St. Edward, Dec. 23 at Harvey
5. St. Ignatius (5)
Record: 4-0
Ryan Berger helped lead a balanced St. Ignatius attack this past week and scored 16 points in each of his team’s wins. A lighter week lies ahead before the Wildcats move to the tougher part of their schedule.
Last week: Defeated Kenston and Canton McKinley
First game: Dec. 23 vs. Louisville
6. Lorain (7)
Record: 5-0
The Titans are getting off to another strong start this season and have really only been tested in the team’s win over Elyria Catholic. A showdown on Tuesday looms when Lorain faces undefeated No. 18 North Olmsted.
Last week: Defeated Maple Heights
This week: Dec. 22 vs. No. 18 North Olmsted
7. St. Edward (8)
Record: 3-0
A 28-point performance by Tommy Schmock kept St. Edward undefeated in a tough game against Dayton Dunbar on Friday. The loaded schedule continues this week with another tough trip away from Lakewood.
Last week: Defeated Dayton Dunbar
This week: Dec. 22 at No. 4 Beachwood
8. East Tech (6)
Record: 6-1
While Markell Johnson is now up to 38.3 ppg, his team lost their first game in a buzzer-beater loss to Columbus Northland. Another tough week lies ahead against two teams with one loss combined.
Last week: Defeated then-No. 20 Glenville, lost to Columbus Northland.
This week: Dec. 23 at Dublin Jerome, Dec. 27 vs. No. 13 Walsh Jesuit
9. Archbishop Hoban (15)
Record: 3-1
The Knights continue their meteoric rise up the rankings after an impressive road win against Walsh Jesuit. In that overtime win, senior Anthony Christian finished with 22 points.
Last week: Defeated then-No. 9 Walsh Jesuit.
This week: Dec. 22 vs. Coventry
10. Brunswick (11)
Record: 6-1
The Blue Devils dropped their first game, but behind the strong play of Kevin Simmons and Zach Cebula, they also picked up two quality wins. After playing three games in three days, Brunswick is now off until Dec. 29.
Last week: Defeated Solon and Kennedy Catholic (Pa.), lost to Lafayette (Ky.)
This week: None
11. Cleveland Central Catholic (10)
Record: 4-1
Senior Tervell Beck continued a monster season, as he averaged 25 ppg this past week. However, the Ironmen dropped their first contest, as they fell to then-No. 19 Cleveland Heights and former coach Jordan Duke.
Last week: Defeated Warren JFK, lost to then-No. 19 Cleveland Heights
This week: None
12. Walsh Jesuit (9)
Record: 4-1
Senior Mitch Peterson averaged 19 ppg this past week in a strong senior season. The Warriors have a showdown on Sunday against No. 8 East Tech and Markell Johnson.
Last week: Defeated John Hay, lost to then-No. 15 Archbishop Hoban
This week: Dec. 27 vs. No. 8 East Tech
13. Bedford (12)
Record: 4-2
Guard Tre Granger averaged 17 ppg this past week as the Bearcats won their fourth game in a row. This team is flying under the radar after a slow start.
Last week: Defeated Brush and Warrensville Heights
First game: Dec. 22 vs. Euclid
14. Mentor (13)
Record: 3-1
It took a game-winner from Matt Craven to keep Mentor out of the loss column against Strongsville. The team has rattled off three-straight wins after losing to Brunswick to start the season.
Last week: Defeated Strongsville
This week: Dec. 22 vs. University School, Dec. 26 vs. David Crockett (Tenn.)
15. Cleveland Heights (19)
Record: 2-4
After a treacherous schedule to start the season, the Tigers picked up their first two wins over the weekend. The latter for coach Jeremy Holmes came against his old team, Cleveland Central Catholic.
Last week: Defeated Shaw and then-No. 11 Cleveland Central Catholic
This week: None
16. Elyria Catholic (16)
Record: 6-1
Senior Jake Kuchta averaged 18 ppg this past week, as his team added two more victories. The two wins were by a combined five points.
Last week: Defeated Parma and Clearview
This week: None
17. Benedictine (17)
Record: 2-1
Senior Justin Layne chipped in another 18 points as Benedictine earned a 2-1 start to the season. It was a nice way to bounce back after a disappointing road loss to Archbishop Hoban.
Last week: Defeated Padua
This week: Dec. 22 at Cardinal Mooney
18. North Olmsted (18)
Record: 7-0
It’s hard to overlook was senior Paris Villanueva is doing right now, as he’s averaging over 25 ppg in his last three contests. On an undefeated start, North Olmsted now has its toughest game of the early season.
Last week: Defeated North Ridgeville and Amherst
First game: Dec. 22 at No. 6 Lorain
19. Glenville (20)
Record: 3-2
The Tarblooders showed more positive qualities than negative qualities in a narrow road loss to East Tech. Glenville looks to snap a two-game losing streak with its next game.
Last week: Lost to then-No. 6 East Tech
This week: Dec. 22 vs. Warren G. Harding
20. Villa Angela-St. Joseph (23)
Record: 4-1
The Vikings allowed just 49 points total in two wins this past week. Now they have just one game this week before the holidays hit.
Last week: Defeated Richmond Heights and Youngstown Valley Christian
This week: Dec. 23 vs. John Hay
21. Elyria (14)
Record: 4-2
A home loss to Shaker Heights on Friday sends Elyria tumbling down the rankings. The Pioneers bounced back on Saturday and now have another tough game on Tuesday.
Last week: Defeated Keystone, lost to Shaker Heights
First game: Dec. 18 vs. Shaker Heights, Dec. 19 vs. Keystone
22. Brecksville (25)
Record: 5-1
The Bees have won four games in a row after a one-point road loss to Strongsville. Senior Dan Auble had a nice week for Brecksville, averaging 18 ppg in two wins.
Last week: Defeated Highland and Nordonia
This week: Dec. 22 vs. North Royalton
23. Copley (NR)
Record: 5-0
The highest debut this week is Copley, which is undefeated due to a balanced offense and terrific defense. Three-straight road games will now test the mettle of the Indians.
Last week: Defeated Tallmadge
This week: Dec. 22 at Highland
24. Ellet (22)
Record: 5-1
Junior A.J. Gareri had a night to remember on Friday, as he scored 45 points and had 18 rebounds in a win over Firestone. Gareri and Ellet have two games this week to build on that performance.
Last week: Defeated Firestone, lost to Kenmore
This week: Dec. 22 vs. Cleveland MLK, Dec. 27 vs. Euclid
25. Stow (NR)
Record: 3-1
The Bulldogs bounced back from a narrow road loss to Nordonia with a trouncing of Twinsburg. Now a tough game against Hudson awaits on the schedule.
Last week: Defeated Twinsburg
This week: Dec. 22 vs. Hudson
Dropped out: Holy Name and NDCL