The NEO Top 25 poll: St. Edwars soars
December 7, 2015
The first full 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: 3-0
The Bulldogs looked the part this past week as they picked up quality wins over Bedford (a Division I district title contender) and Lutheran East (one of the top Division IV teams). Senior Willie Jackson is averaging a gaudy 29 points and 15 rebounds per game.
Last week: Defeated then-No. 6 Bedford and Lutheran East
This week: Dec. 8 at Euclid, Dec. 12 vs. Neumann Goretti (Pa.)
2. St. Vincent-St. Mary (2)
Record: 0-1
No shame this week in losing for the Irish, which fell by less than 10 points to a nationally-ranked DeMatha squad. Senior Henry Baddley had 23 points in the loss.
Last week: Lost to DeMatha (Md.)
This week: Dec. 12 at Mansfield Senior
3. Medina (3)
Record: 1-0
A big fourth quarter propelled Medina to an opening win against a pesky Solon squad. The Bees will hope that finish carries over to a strong second full week.
Last week: Defeated Solon
This week: Dec. 8 at Ashland, Dec. 11 vs. Strongsville
4. Beachwood (4)
Record: 2-0
Beachwood showed extreme balance last week, as four players had at least 11 points in a win against a good Cornerstone Christian group. Through two games senior Maishe Dailey is averaging 18.5 ppg.
Last week: Defeated Cornerstone Christian
First game: Dec. 8 at Chagrin Falls, Dec. 11 vs. West Geauga
5. St. Ignatius (5)
Record: 1-0
A nearly 50-point win to begin the season is never a bad way to start. This week, they’ll face a Cleveland Heights team that is thirsty for a win.
Last week: Defeated Shaw
First game: Dec. 12 at No. 14 Cleveland Heights
6. East Tech (7)
Record: 3-0
Seeing junior Markell Johnson play is appointment viewing so far this season. He’s averaging 35 ppg, including his 49-point day against IDEA Academy to pick up a huge win.
Last week: Defeated Whitney Young and IDEA Academy (D.C.)
This week: Dec. 8 vs. Collinwood, Dec. 11 vs. Rhodes
7. Lorain (8)
Record: 2-0
It seems a lot like last year so far, as Lorain as two wins of at least 48 points to open the season. Things will get a little tougher on Tuesday when the Titans play another exciting team in Elyria Catholic.
Last week: Defeated John Marshall and Vermilion.
This week: Dec. 8 at No. 24 Elyria Catholic, Dec. 11 vs. Shaw
8. St. Edward (13)
Record: 1-0
Sean Flannery and Tommy Schmock helped silence the doubters, as the Eagles backcourt combined for 53 points in an opening night win against Bedford. Another ranked opponent awaits ahead.
Last week: Defeated then-No. 6 Bedford.
This week: Dec. 12 at No. 20 Glenville
9. Walsh Jesuit (10)
Record: 2-0
A 2-0 start and a game against CVCA in which the Warriors held their rival to 26 points is a nice way to start the season. Conference play begins at the end of the week.
Last week: Defeated Euclid and CVCA.
This week: Dec. 11 at Lake Catholic
10. Cleveland Central Catholic (12)
Record: 1-0
A 20-point night by Tervell Beck helped propel the Ironmen to a thrilling opening night win against Warrensville Heights. Two ranked games are on the horizon this week.
Last week: Defeated then-No. 11 Warrensville Heights
This week: Dec. 8 at No. 15 Holy Name, Dec. 11 vs. No. 23 Villa Angela-St. Joseph
11. Brunswick (15)
Record: 2-0
Few teams got a better win this past week than Brunswick earning a double-overtime road victory against Mentor. Two more strong teams await this week on the schedule.
Last week: Defeated Highland and then-No. 14 Mentor.
First game: Dec. 11 vs. No. 17 Elyria, Dec. 12 vs. Lutheran East
12. Bedford (6)
Record: 0-2
An unforgiving schedule and sloppy play leads to a disaster start for Bedford for a season with high aspirations. Two wins this week would change the momentum of the season.
Last week: Lost to No. 1 Garfield Heights and then-No. 13 St. Edward.
First game: Dec. 8 vs. Kenston, Dec. 11 at No. 14 Cleveland Heights
13. Mentor (14)
Record: 0-1
A rare move up for a team that didn’t win last week, but it’s clear that Mentor should be ranked near Brunswick.
Last week: Lost to then-No. 15 Brunswick
This week: Dec. 11 at Euclid, Dec. 12 vs. Austintown-Fitch
14. Cleveland Heights (9)
Record: 0-2
Like Bedford, the Tigers have come close a few times but are still searching for that first win. They’ll have to beat a good team to do so, as the schedule doesn’t get any easier.
Last week: Lost to Canton McKinley
This week: Dec. 11 vs. No. 12 Bedford, Dec. 12 vs. No. 5 St. Ignatius
15. Holy Name (16)
Record: 2-0
The big year for sophomore Dwayne Cohill has begun, as he’s averaging a hair under 30 ppg and has the Green Wave out to a 2-0 start. We’ll know how good Holy Name really is after a tough week this week.
Last week: Defeated Trinity and Bay.
This week: Dec. 8 vs. No. 10 Cleveland Central Catholic, Dec. 11 vs. No. 24 Elyria Catholic
16. Warrensville Heights (11)
Record: 1-2
The season took a bad turn this past week, as the Tigers lost a tough one to Central Catholic and then got blown out by IDEA Academy. Even worse, senior Yavari Hall is out at least a week with a sprained MCL.
Last week: Lost to then-No. 12 Cleveland Central Catholic and IDEA Academy
First game: Dec. 11 vs. Maple Heights, Dec. 12 vs. Shaker Heights
17. Elyria (17)
Record: 2-0
Two wins by 10 points or less have Elyria out to a perfect start to the season. Things get tricker this week, as the Pioneers hit the road for two tough games.
Last week: Defeated Euclid
First game: Dec. 11 at No. 11 Brunswick, Dec. 12 at Westlake
18. Stow (18)
Record: 1-0
After several delays because of the success of the football team, Stow finally began its season last week and beat Wadsworth by nearly 40 points. Now the Bulldogs will get back into a regular groove.
Last week: Defeated Wadsworth
This week: Dec. 8 vs. Kent Roosevelt, Dec. 11 at Nordonia
19. Benedictine (19)
Record: 0-0
Benedictine is the one of two teams in the Top 25 not to play yet, but that will change on Tuesday.
Last week: No game
This week: Dec. 8 vs. Brush, Dec. 11 at No. 22 Archbishop Hoban
20. Glenville (20)
Record: 1-0
The Tarblooders opened their season with five players in double-figures, including Christian Guess, who finished with 23 points. Glenville has a few more winnable conference games before a showdown with St. Edward.
Last week: Defeated Collinwood
This week: Dec. 8 at Max Hayes, Dec. 11 at Whitney Young, Dec. 12 vs. No. 8 St. Edward
21. North Olmsted (23)
Record: 3-0
In a Southwestern Conference that has been a little tough to figure out, North Olmsted is establishing itself as the early favorite. They are 3-0, and their star player Andy Lucien has yet to even play his best.
Last week: Defeated Midview and Avon.
First game: Dec. 8 vs. Westlake, Dec. 11 at Lakewood
22. Archbishop Hoban (24)
Record: 0-0
The team’s football success means the season won’t open until this week for Archbishop Hoban.
Last week: No game
This week: Dec. 8 at Youngstown Ursuline, Dec. 11 vs. No. 19 Benedictine
23. Villa Angela-St. Joseph (25)
Record: 2-0
The Vikings haven’t missed a beat yet this season with two big home wins to start 2015-16. A big rivalry game on Friday is one of the week’s best.
Last week: Defeated Lake Catholic
This week: Dec. 11 at No. 10 Cleveland Central Catholic
24. Elyria Catholic (NR)
Record: 3-0
Few teams have looked more impressive to start the season than Elyria Catholic. Darin Guice is leading the way for a team that has a showdown with Lorain on Tuesday.
Last week: Defeated Normandy
This week: Dec. 8 vs. No. 7 Lorain, Dec. 11 vs. No. 15 Holy Name
25. Ellet (NR)
Record: 2-0
Two double-digit wins to start the season gives Ellet yet another reason to be considered the Akron City Series’ best team. Junior A.J. Gareri is one of the best big men in the area.
Last week: Defeated Wadsworth and Akron Garfield
This week: Dec. 8 vs. Tallmadge, Dec. 11 vs. Buchtel
Dropped out: Berea-Midpark and Brecksville