OHSAA Division I power rankings 1/4/21

Enough of the season has been played where power rankings can be released for every division in Ohio. In this article I’ll be breaking down the top 10 teams in division I in the state of Ohio and why they are ranked where they are. This is mostly based on your resume, and very little on how talented of a team you are, you need to prove it with wins on the court. With that being said, let’s get started.

1. Archbishop Moeller (8-2) Moeller is the favorite to win the state title again, and for good reason. The Crusaders have lost one game to OHSAA teams in the past four seasons, last year against STVM. Moeller defeated STVM in Cincy by nine points and also took down Centerville by 13. They also impressed in the Beach Ball Classic where they finished with a 3-1 record and their other setback was to potential state champion in Indiana, Lawrence North.
2. Gahanna (6-0) I think Gahanna has established themselves as the clear second best team in the state in division I. The Lions can beat teams in a variety of ways and already have comfortable victories over teams like Pickerington Central and Hilliard Davidson on the road.
3. Hilliard Bradley (5-0) The Jags were expected to make the state final four last season before the tournament was cut short, and once again they are expected to make a deep playoff run. Led by a dominant defense, Bradley has beaten Olentangy Liberty and a shorthanded Saint Ignatius squad. Their offense isn’t explosive enough to blow teams out consistently, so they might take a surprise lose, but this defense is good enough to get them to the final four.
4. Huber Heights Wayne (5-0) Wayne is cruising, winning all five of their games by double-figures. The Warriors haven’t had the toughest schedule so far, but have gone over 95 points twice already this year. We’ll see what this team is made of on Friday the 8th when they take on the Elks of Centerville.
5. Westerville Central (4-0) Nobody got better news before the season as the Warhawks who found out Quincy Clark Quincy Clark 6'3" | PG Westerville Central | 2021 State OH was returning to Westerville for his senior season. Their guard duo of Clark and Tasos Cook Tasos Cook 6'2" | SG Westerville Central | 2021 State OH is one of the top in the state and the Warhawks have a marquee contest Vs Pickerington North on Tuesday in a game that should teach us a lot about each team.
6. Saint Edward (4-0) Down season in Lakewood? Not if Eric Flannery has anything to say about it. The Eagles graduated basically their entire rotation outside of Michael Bova Michael Bova 6'2" | CG St. Edward | 2022 State OH , but the new look Eagles can really shoot the ball. With Bova running the show, Saint Eds is 4-0 with some impressive victories over Richmond Heights and Toledo St John’s.
7. Saint Xavier (7-0) The Bombers haven’t played the most difficult schedule, but they have won every game by double-digits since a season opening win At Middletown. Their defense has also held every opponent under 50 points since that game as well.
8. Massillon Jackson (9-0) Jackson played a lot of youngsters last season and they took their defeats on the chin in the 2019-20 season, I’d say it was worth it as the Polar Bears are rolling at 9-0 with their team a year older. A couple miraculous wins over Brush in multiple overtimes and Archbishop Hoban have put their unbeaten season in jeopardy, but they persevered through these tight contests.
9. Medina (5-1) The Bees once again have one of the top offenses in the state. Their only loss is by two against Saint Ignatius but they hold wins over five quality opponents, not sure how many teams have played tougher schedules with only one loss so far this season.
10. Dublin Coffman (3-0) In the Rocks two marquee contests, they’ve scored 86 points in each contest. That will get the job done as Coffman plays at one of the fastest paces in the state and relies on sweet shooting from a variety of players. This is a team you should try and watch on film as they will be very enjoyable to watch.

Others considered (IN NO ORDER)

Elder (7-1) A loss to Turpin on Saturday is the only blemish on Elder’s schedule so far this season. They won’t scare you as they walk off the bus, but this team can get hot in a hurry from downtown and should be feared in the ultra-competitive GCL-South

Canton McKinley (4-2) Two losses to Olentangy Liberty hurt, but the Pups have the talent to figure things out and get into the top 10 by the end of the season.

Pickerington Central (1-2) They’ve lost to Gahanna and STVM, no shame in that. We’ll see just how good the Tigers are when they get more games against non state title favorites.

Lakota East (2-1) I saw East dominate Hamilton and I would’ve been convinced they were one of the best teams in the state, however a surprise loss to Hamilton Ross and a couple cancellations has them on the outside looking in right now.

Mason (6-1) The Comets only loss of the year is to Lakota East in a very tight battle. If they can continue to take care of business and grab a marquee victory, they could replace those who will eventually fall from the rankings.

Lima Sr (6-1) I was there for the Spartans only loss of the year at home to Shelby, outside of that game Quincy Simpson’s squad has been pretty dominant with blowout wins over Toledo Central Catholic, Springfield, Ashland and Thomas Worthington.

Solon (3-1) I was there when the Comets raced past Brunswick with some impressive offense. They fell in a tight one on the road to new division II power Warrensville Heights in a game they had a shot to win at the buzzer.

Miamisburg (8-1) They shocked the GWOC when they hit a buzzer-beater to defeat Centerville. They do have six wins by 13 points or less, impressive to keep winning close ones, but that’s the sign of a loss coming sooner rather than later.

Centerville (5-2) The stunner Vs Miamisburg is the only thing keeping the Elks out of the rankings, their other loss is by 13 to Moeller.

Olentangy Liberty (5-2) They hold two wins over Canton McKinley, but losses Vs top ten teams in Hilliard Bradley and Dublin Coffman keep the Patriots on the watch list for now.

Saint Ignatius (5-3) Their three losses are all brutal contests, STVM, Lutheran East and Hilliard Bradley. When you factor in they played Bradley without Henry Raynor Henry Raynor 6'7" | PF St. Ignatius | 2021 State OH and you see that the Wildcats 5-3 record is deceiving of just how strong this team is. They also are the only team to have beaten Medina this year, a victory of Saint Eds on Friday could get the Wildcats in the top 10.

Pickerington North (3-0) They haven’t beaten anybody of note yet, but get their chance on Tuesday against Westerville Central. Let’s see what the Panthers are made of when they go on the road.

Shaker Heights (2-0) A routine visitor to Cleveland State in the regional part of the tournament, the Raiders have two blowout wins to open the season. Until they play an opponent that can challenge them, we won’t know just how good this new-look Shaker Heights team really is.

Walnut Hills (5-1) Only loss is to Moeller and they beat La Salle, that’s good enough to get a spot on the watch list in my opinion.

Wooster (5-0) A blowout over division II power Shelby by 27 points got my attention. Let’s see if they can continue to win because close calls Vs opponents like Ashland won’t cut it if they want to make a case for the top 10.