The NEO Top 25 poll: Bay, Mogadore make debuts
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. St. Ignatius (1)
Record: 7-2
We’ll excuse a seven-point road loss to the reigning Division I state champions. The Wildcats still have as impressive a resume of wins as any team in Northeast Ohio.
Last week: Lost to Huber Heights Wayne
First game: Jan. 15 vs. Cardinal Mooney, Jan. 16 vs. No. 14 Walsh Jesuit
2. St. Vincent-St. Mary (2)
Record: 9-2
After last week’s loss to St. Ignatius, the Irish got back on track this week with a couple of home wins against quality opponents. Junior Jayvon Graves broke out for 37 points in the win against Cleveland Central Catholic.
Last week: Defeated then-No. 12 Cleveland Central Catholic and SPIRE Institute
This week: Jan. 16 Dayton Thurgood Marshall, Jan. 17 at Cincinnati Roger Bacon
3. Garfield Heights (3)
Record: 11-1
Senior Willie Jackson is playing at another level this season for Garfield Heights. He had 30 points and 21 rebounds in the win against Youngstown Ursuline and is averaging 23 points and 15 rebounds per game this season.
Last week: Defeated John Adams and Youngstown Ursuline
This week: Jan. 12 vs. Akron Garfield,
4. Lorain (4)
Record: 8-0
The Titans passed the first test in what is definitely the toughest part of their schedule. Four of the team’s next five games are against ranked opponents.
Last week: Defeated then-No. 18 Warrensville Heights
This week: Jan. 12 at No. 5 St. Edward, Jan. 15 vs. No. 12 Bedford, Jan. 16 vs. Clearview
5. St. Edward (5)
Record: 6-3
In their lone game this past week, St. Edward battled back for a road win against the defending Division III state champions. The Eagles have lost one game this year in Ohio.
Last week: Defeated then-No. 17 Villa Angela-St. Joseph
This week: Jan. 12 vs. No. 4 Lorain, Jan. 15-16 at Burger King Classic in Erie, Pa.
6. Archbishop Hoban (6)
Record: 9-1
One of the hottest teams in Northeast Ohio, the Knights find themselves on a nine-game winning streak. All nine of those wins have been by double-digits.
Last week: Defeated Kenmore, Massillon Washington and Lake Catholic
This week: Jan. 12 vs. Gilmour, Jan. 15 vs. Padua
7. Beachwood (7)
Record: 10-1
The Bisons bounced back from their first loss of the season with two convincing wins. Senior Tyrone Gibson has been an unsung hero for the team.
Last week: Defeated Wickliffe and Geneva
First game: Jan. 15 vs. Chagrin Falls, Jan. 16 vs. Buchtel
8. Medina (9)
Record: 10-2
This past week, the Bees looked like a team that could damage in March, as they beat conference foes Brunswick and Shaker Heights. This team might be hitting its stride after losing to St. Edward to start 2016.
Last week: Defeated then-No. 14 Brunswick and Shaker Heights
This week: Jan. 12 at Elyria, Jan. 15 vs. No. 19 Mentor
9. East Tech (10)
Record: 8-3
As usual, East Tech continued their run through the Senate last week and will look for similar results with a full week ahead.
Last week: Defeated Cleveland JFK
This week: Jan. 12 vs. John Adams, Jan. 15 at John Hay
10. Benedictine (11)
Record: 6-2
For the first time this season, Benedictine finds itself in the top 10. The Bengals could be among Division II’s top local threats in the postseason.
Last week: Defeated NDCL
This week: Jan. 12 at University School, Jan. 15 vs. Lake Catholic, Jan. 16. vs. No. 16 Villa Angela-St. Joseph
11. Cleveland Central Catholic (12)
Record: 7-3
The Ironman nearly picked up a road win at St. Vincent-St. Mary last week but played well in an overtime loss. Senior Tervell Beck has scored at leas 20 points in every game this season.
Last week: Defeated Trinity, lost to No. 2 St. Vincent-St. Mary
This week: Jan. 15 at St. Thomas Aquinas
12. Bedford (13)
Record: 8-3
Bedford is playing its best basketball all season after and is now on a four-game winning streak. The schedule gets tougher this week, so it will need to stay sharp.
Last week: Defeated Shaw
First game: Jan. 12 at Cornerstone Christian, Jan. 15 vs. No. 4 Lorain
13. Brunswick (14)
Record: 8-3
In a tough week of games, Brunswick represented itself well at Medina and then cleaned up against Euclid. While they haven’t all been wins, the Blue Devils have been among the toughest teams to face in the area.
Last week: Defeated Euclid, lost to then-No. 9 Medina
This week: Jan. 12 vs. Strongsville, Jan. 15 at Shaker Heights
14. Walsh Jesuit (8)
Record: 8-2
A loss to Padua and a narrow in against Western Reserve Academy have the Warriors tumbling down the rankings this week. They need to figure things out quick to once again become a threat to go deep in Division I.
Last week: Defeated Western Reserve Academy, lost to Padua
This week: Jan. 15 vs. NDCL, Jan. 16 at No. 1 St. Ignatius
15. North Olmsted (15)
Record: 9-2
There’s work to be done after a road loss to Olmsted Falls last week. After avoiding several scares in conference play, the close games finally caught to the Eagles.
Last week: Defeated Berea-Midpark and Valley Forge, lost to Olmsted Falls
First game: Jan. 12 vs. Avon Lake, Jan. 15 vs. Midview
16. Villa Angela-St. Joseph (17)
Record: 8-2
The Vikings represented themselves well against St. Edward but still lack a big win to hold their hat on this season. A road showdown with Benedictine this week will give them another opportunity.
Last week: Defeated Warren JFK, lost to No. 5 St. Edward
This week: Jan. 15 vs. Trinity, Jan. 16 at No. 10 Benedictine
17. Brecksville (20)
Record: 10-1
With nine wins a row, Brecksville is looking better each week. The Bees might not have a star in their lineup, but their balance and defense is what makes them scary.
Last week: Defeated Wadsworth, Padua and then-No. 24 Stow
This week: Jan. 15 at Hudson
18. Cleveland Heights (19)
Record: 3-6
It’s the same story for Cleveland Heights each week, as they play well against top teams but are narrowly defeated. Soon, they need to show they can be a team that wins those games.
Last week: Defeated Maple Heights, lost to Warren G. Harding
This week: Jan. 15 at No. 21 Warrensville Heights
19. Mentor (16)
Record: 8-4
While Elyria is a solid team, losing at home to an unranked squad by 15 points isn’t a great showing. In mid-January, this is a team still looking for consistency.
Last week: Defeated Solon, lost to Elyria.
This week: Jan. 15 at No. 8 Medina
20. Copley (21)
Record: 9-0
It’s hard to figure out how good Copley really is, as the schedule it plays leaves something to be desired, but at the same time, it rarely plays a close game. Senior Bryce Harvey is having an outstanding season.
Last week: Defeated Aurora and Kent Roosevelt
This week: Jan. 12 vs. Nordonia, Jan. 16 vs, Twinsburg
21. Warrensville Heights (18)
Record: 5-6
It’s one step back, one step forward for Warrensville Heights, which just seem to can’t string together a series of wins this season. However, the road loss to Lorain was still a good showing for the Tigers.
Last week: Defeated Rhodes, lost to No. 4 Lorain
This week: Jan. 15 vs. No. 18 Cleveland Heights
22. Glenville (23)
Record: 5-4
Wins over Shaw and John Adams have Glenville back with a winning record. With great young talent and losses only coming to elite teams, Glenville is a sleeper squad to watch.
Last week: Defeated Shaw and John Adams
This week: Jan. 12 at Rhodes, Jan 15 at Cleveland JFK
23. Bay (NR)
Record: 8-2
After a 1-2 start, Bay has rattled off seven wins in a row, including last week’s 20-point road win against then-ranked Elyria Catholic. The Rockets averaged 93.5 ppg last week.
Last week: Defeated Valley Forge and then-No. 22 Elyria Catholic
This week: Jan. 15 vs. Parma
24. Mogadore (NR)
Record: 7-0
One of the few remaining unbeaten teams in Northeast Ohio deserves some recognition. However, their stay in the Top 25 will be quick if they can’t manage their way through three road games this week.
Last week: Defeated Rootstown and Garretsville Garfield
This week: Jan. 12 at Woodridge, Jan. 15 at Lake Center Christian School, Jan. 16 at East Canton
25. CVCA (25)
Record: 6-2
The Royals cling to a spot in the Top 25 despite a loss to undefeated Tuslaw last week. Still, this is one of the better defensive teams in the area.
Last week: Defeated Fairless, lost to Tuslaw.
This week: Jan. 15 vs. Akron Manchester, Jan. 16 vs. Streetsboro
Dropped out: Elyria Catholic and Stow