December Power Rankings: Division III
After one month, let’s try to answer the most important question in high school basketball: Who’s the best team in Ohio? Here’s our top ten based on wins and losses in December, margins of victory, and talent level.
1. Harvest Prep (8-0)
Quality wins: The Wellington School, Gallatin (TN)
Point differential: +40.5
Top prospects: CJ Penha (2018), CJ Anthony (2020), Soul Hines (2019)
2. Deer Park (7-0)
Quality win: Wyoming
Point differential: +35.9
Top prospects: Damani Mcentire (2018), Mark Wise (2020), Ibrahima Athie (2019), Jalen Rose (2018), Steve Gentry Jr. (2020)
3. Ottawa-Glandorf (8-0)
Quality win: Archbold
Point differential: +20.4
Top prospects: Jay Kaufman (2018), Jake Dible (2018), Owen Hiegel (2019)
Notes: O-G 6’4″ senior Jay Kaufman, a Second Team All State selection in Division II last year, played in his first game this week against Bowling Green. He was previously sidelined while recovering from an ACL tear.
4. Versailles (8-0)
Quality win: Anna
Point differential: +17.3
Top prospect: Justin Ahrens (2018)
5. The Wellington School (5-3)
Quality wins: Westerville North, Whitehall, Maumee Valley
Losses: Upper Arlington, Harvest Prep, Bishop Hartley
Point differential: +7.7
Top prospects: Solomon Pierre-Louis (2018), Noah Berry (2018), Bob Faller (2018), Dallas Patrick (2019), Marcus Stewart (2021)
6. Cardinal Stritch (9-1)
Quality win: Cornerstone Christian
Loss: Toledo Central Catholic
Point differential: +19.8
Top prospects: Joey Holifield (2020), Jordan Burton (2019), Little Anderson (2019)
7. Bishop Ready (8-0)
Quality win: Bishop Hartley
Point differential: +13.8
Top prospects: Chanc Dawson (2018), Brady Thomas (2018)
8. Archbold (5-2)
Losses: Wauseon, Ottawa-Glandorf
Point differential: +17.6
Top prospects: Rigo Ramos (2019), Eli Miller (2018), Kaiden Bedsole (2018), Bryce Williams (2018)
9. Bethel (6-2)
Quality wins: Franklin Monroe, Bellbrook
Losses: Fairmont, Fort Loramie
Point differential: +7.8
Top prospects: Ryan Rose (2018), Alex Van Haaran (2018), Caleb South (2018)
Notes: Bethel senior point guard Caleb South, a member of the 1,000-point club, hasn’t played this season because of an injury.
10. LaBrae (7-0)
Quality win: Bristol
Top prospects: Tyler Stephens (2018), Logan Kiser (2018)
Honorable mention (alphabetical): Africentric, Cincinnati Country Day, Columbus Academy, Lutheran East, Northmor, Troy Christian