The NEO Top 25 poll: 3 new teams enter
There are only two full weeks of the regular season remaining. Here’s a look at the top teams in the Cleveland/Akron area (last week’s ranking in parentheses).
1. St. Vincent-St. Mary (1)
Record: 15-3
Senior Henry Badly is ending his Irish career in style, as he has his team atop the poll, while averaging over 18 ppg. His team just wrapped up a three-win week against terrific competition.
Last week: Defeated then-No. 10 Archbishop Hoban, then-No. 3 St. Edward, and Walnut Ridge.
This week: Feb. 9 v. No. 16 Walsh Jesuit, Feb. 10 vs. No. 22 Warrensville Heights
2. Garfield Heights (2)
Record: 16-3
Since the calendar turned to 2016, the Bulldogs’ only losses have been to prep schools. Friday’s game may be a showdown between the top Division I and Division III teams in the state.
Last week: Defeated then-No. 6 Lorain and Hoover.
This week: Feb. 9 at JFK, Feb. 12 vs. No. 8 Beachwood
3. Benedictine (3)
Record: 17-2
The Bengals have just won game this week before what could be their toughest two-game stretch of the season. Benedictine completed its home schedule and did not lose a game in their building this season.
Last week: Defeated NDCL and Gilmour
This week: Feb. 12 at Lake Catholic
4. St. Ignatius (5)
Record: 12-4
Not a bad week for St. Ignatius, which snapped Columbus Northland’s 91-game home win streak this past Saturday. The schedule ramps up with three games this week.
Last week: Defeated Columbus Northland
First game: Feb. 9 vs. Glenville, Feb. 12 vs. Cleveland Heights, Feb. 13 at Massillon Jackson
5. St. Edward (4)
Record: 12-6
A 21-point night for Jack Sullivan was not enough on Friday for the Eagles, as they fell to St. Vincent-St. Mary. Still, the team bounced back with a 22-point win over Euclid on Saturday.
Last week: Defeated Euclid, lost to No. 1 St. Vincent-St. Mary
This week: Feb. 13 vs. No. 10 Cleveland Central Catholic
6. East Tech (7)
Record: 17-3
The Scarabs won their third-straight Senate title and have recorded 30 home wins in a row. Now they have a week off before wrapping up their regular season schedule.
Last week: Defeated MLK and Glenville
This week: No game
7. Lorain (6)
Record: 15-3
Senior Daviere Andrews is looking to spark his team on a memorable finish to his career. First things first, the Titans will need to navigate through a tough finish to the league schedule.
Last week: Defeated then-No. 24 Maple Heights, lost to No. 2 Garfield Heights
This week: Feb. 9 at No. 22 Warrensville Heights, Feb. 12 at No. 11 Bedford
8. Beachwood (8)
Record: 17-2
In the midst of wrapping up their conference schedule, Beachwood will test itself with a game against Garfield Heights on Friday. The vastly underrated Tyrone Gibson will try to help the team spark the upset.
Last week: Defeated Geneva, Wickliffe and then-No. 14 Walsh Jesuit
First game: Feb. 9 at Orange, Feb. 12 at No. 2 Garfield Heights
9. Archbishop Hoban (10)
Record: 14-4
The Knights lost to St. Vincent-St. Mary but snapped a three-game losing skid with a win over Lake Catholic. The goal will be to make that start a win streak so the team is playing well heading into March.
Last week: Defeated Lake Catholic, lost to No. 1 St. Vincent-St. Mary
This week: Feb. 9 vs. Canton Central Catholic, Feb. 12 at Padua
10. Cleveland Central Catholic (11)
Record: 12-5
Senior Tervell Beck continued his strong season with 21 points in the team’s win over Trinity last week. The Ironmen are perfect in conference play.
Last week: Defeated Trinity
This week: Feb. 9 at Elyria Catholic, Feb. 12 vs. St. Thomas Aquinas, Feb. 13 at No. 5 St. Edward
11. Bedford (9)
Record: 13-5
With 20 points, Daron Falkner gave his best effort in the team’s double-overtime loss to Warrensville Heights last week. A showdown with Lorain looms this week.
Last week: Lost to Warrensville Heights
First game: Feb. 9 vs. Shaw, Feb. 12 at No. 7 Lorain
12. Elyria (12)
Record: 13-4
The red-hot Pioneers have two more tricky league games this week, especially Friday’s trip to Medina. Elyria has won 10 games in a row.
Last week: Defeated Vermilion and Mentor.
First game: Feb. 9 vs. Strongsville, Feb. 12 at No. 15 Medina
13. Brunswick (13)
Record: 15-4
The last two-game week of the regular season is a doozy for Brunswick with two difficult league games. Senior Kevin Simmons is coming off of a 19-point game against Euclid and will look to carry that over to this week.
Last week: Defeated Euclid
This week: Feb. 9 vs. No. 15 Medina, Feb. 12 at Strongsville
14. Copley (16)
Record: 18-0
Copley can add a championship to its season, as the Indians won the league title this past week. Only four games now stand between Copley and a perfect regular season.
Last week: Defeated Wadsworth and Highland
This week: Feb. 9 vs. Akron North, Feb. 12 vs. Aurora
15. Medina (18)
Record: 14-5
Luke Schaefer had a game-high 15 points in last week’s win against Shaker Heights. The win gave Medina back-to-back victories for the first time since Jan. 8.
Last week: Defeated Shaker Heights
This week: Feb. 9 at No. 13 Brunswick, Feb. 12 vs. No. 12 Elyria
16. Walsh Jesuit (14)
Record: 12-6
The 23 points by senior Mitch Peterson weren’t enough on Saturday to knock off Beachwood. The loss snapped a three-game win streak for the Warriors.
Last week: Defeated Padua, lost to No. 8 Beachwood.
This week: Feb. 9 at No. 1 St. Vincent-St. Mary, Feb. 12 at NDCL
17. Villa Angela-St. Joseph (17)
Record: 13-5
A couple of road tests loom ahead for the Vikings, who are coming off of a loss. After a strong start to the season, the team is 5-4 in their last nine games.
Last week: Defeated Warren JFK, lost to Mentor
This week: Feb. 9 at Gilmour, Feb. 12 at Trinity
18. Brecksville (15)
Record: 15-2
The Bees might play their toughest game of the season on Tuesday when they host Canton McKinley. Perhaps they were looking ahead, as they suffered an unexpected loss to North Royalton last week.
Last week: Defeated Valley Forge, lost to North Royalton
This week: Feb. 9 vs. Canton McKinley, Feb. 12 vs. Wadsworth
19. Midview (25)
Record: 14-5
After a season sweep of Olmsted Falls, Midview is looking like the best team in its conference. The Middies can solidify that with a perfect finish to the season.
Last week: Defeated Westlake and then-No. 23 Olmsted Falls
This week: Feb. 9 vs. Lakewood, Feb. 12 vs. Avon Lake
20. Hudson (NR)
Record: 14-4
A convincing win over Stow last week propels Hudson into the Top 25. Zack Meder is having a terrific season for the Explorers and is one of the more underrated players in the area.
Last week: Defeated Shaw and then-No. 20 Stow
This week: Feb. 9 at Highland, Feb. 12 vs. Twinsburg
21. Maple Heights (24)
Record: 10-6
Behind the play of Alfonse Hale, the Mustangs more than held their own in a tough loss to Lorain last week. Many quality wins, including two against Warrensville Heights, have made this a memorable season.
Last week: Defeated Lincoln West, lost to then-No. 6 Lorain
This week: Feb. 10 at Cleveland Heights, Feb. 12 at Shaw
22. Warrensville Heights (NR)
Record: 9-8
Back in the Top 25, Warrensville Heights now has an absurdly difficult week ahead. Even one win this week would be an impressive showing.
Last week: Defeated Holy Name and then-No. 9 Bedorf
This week: Feb. 9 vs. No. 7 Lorain, Feb. 10 at No. 1 St. Vincent-St. Mary, Feb. 13 at Cleveland Heights
23. Bay (19)
Record: 14-3
An unexpected loss to Normandy has Bay falling down the rankings this week. The Rockets will look to bounce back with a couple of easier league games.
Last week: Defeated Rocky River, lost to Normandy
This week: Feb. 12 at Valley Forge, Feb. 13 vs. Lutheran West
24. Coventry (NR)
Record: 15-3
Another big season by Bryce Hargrove has Coventry looking dangerous come February. A tricky game against Western Reserve Academy looms ahead.
Last week: Defeated Woodridge and Massillon Perry
This week: Feb. 10 vs. Western Reserve Academy, Feb. 12 at Akron Springfield
25. Stow (20)
Record: 14-4
Stow will try bounce back from a loss with a few league games lying ahead on the schedule this week. Prior to the loss against Hudson, the Bulldogs had won eight games in a row.
Last week: Defeated Massillon Washington, lost to Hudson
This week: Feb. 9 at Barberton, Feb. 12 vs. Cuyahoga Falls
Dropped out: Firestone, Elyria Catholic, Olmsted Falls