Dayton Power Rankings Week 5
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Photo Credit: Dale Barger As the holidays come and go, it is time to again update Dayton’s Power Rankings. Division I sees a new #1 and a new team in Wayne. Do the Warriors belong with 4 losses? Division II…
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Continue ReadingPhoto Credit: Dale Barger
As the holidays come and go, it is time to again update Dayton’s Power Rankings. Division I sees a new #1 and a new team in Wayne. Do the Warriors belong with 4 losses? Division II continues to see Trotwood and C-J at #1 and #2. Can the Eagles jump the Rams? Division III sees two undefeated teams in the Top 2. Which one ranks higher? Finally, in Division IV, Catholic Central holds the #1 spot with an undefeated Emmanuel Christian right behind them. Do the Lions deserve to be #1 with their 7-0 record? Take a look below for answers to these questions, as well as analysis on all teams going into this weekend’s games.
Division I
Sidney takes over the #1 spot after victories against Butler (51-46) and Wayne (77-73). Andre Gordon (2019) is sitting in the Top 5 in scoring (22.6 PPG) and assists (5.3 APG) in the GWOC and continuing to be the focal point in the Yellow Jacket offense. Ratez Roberts (2019) is leading the GWOC in blocks (4.9) and 4th in rebounding (9.3). Springfield dropped to #2 after a loss against Hilliard Bradley last weekend, but followed up with a 71-50 victory over Hamilton on Saturday. The Wildcats have played quite a tough schedule so far with losses against Pickerington Central, Upper Arlington, and Hilliard Bradley to start off the season. A tough stretch of matchups against Wayne, Fairmont, and Moeller in January will continue to provide the Wildcats with a challenge. Butler has won back-to-back games since losing in overtime against our #1 D1 team Sidney. The Aviators continue to be one of the top defensive teams, as they are allowing 43 points per game so far this year, which leads the GWOC. They also lead the conference in steals due to the play of Michael Kreill (2019) and Braedon Norman (2019). Fairmont won the Machens Great 8 Classic against several top teams in Missouri over the Holiday weekend. Tournament MVP Ryan Hall (2019) is 5th in the GWOC with 21.2 points per game and 2nd with 5.3 assists per game as of January 1st. The Firebirds look to build off their current 4 game winning streak with matchups with Beavercreek and Columbus DeSales upcoming. The #5 spot in our rankings belongs to Wayne after defeating previously ranked Miamisburg, Centerville, and Trotwood-Madison during the holidays. Ronnie Hampton (2019) is making a difference on both ends of the floor, currently sitting in the Top 5 in the GWOC in assists (5.0 APG) and steals (3.1 per game).
1. Sidney (7-1)
2. Springfield (5-3)
3. Butler (8-1)
4. Fairmont (7-2)
5. Wayne (5-4)
Division II
Even after losing 91-88 against a tough Wayne team, the Rams continue to hold the #1 spot in Division II. Trotwood is averaging 97 points per game and could put 100+ in upcoming matchups with Piqua and Greenville. Amari Davis (2019) is putting up an insane stat line, averaging 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 steals per game as of January 1st. Toledo football recruit Justin Stephens (2019) continues to be one of the top defensive players in the conference, sitting at #1 in rebounds and #2 in blocks. Chaminade-Julienne took their first loss of the year against Bishop Hartley 44-41, but broke even with a 66-45 victory over Indian Valley the next day. The Eagles are playing great defensive basketball, only allowing 47 points per game thanks in part to the efforts of seniors Milton Gage and Jack Nauseef and sophomore Daniel Nauseef. Fenwick played the same two opponents as C-J, and matched the Eagles results defeating Indian Valley (59-46) but losing to Hartley (54-39). Although the Falcons are making their mark known on the defensive end as well, CJ Napier (2019) and AJ Braun (2021) are both playing well on the offensive end with both averaging 14+ points per game. Matchups with C-J and Alter in the next two weeks will help us to see if the Falcons truly are a top team in Division II. Graham is riding a 3 game winning streak after losing to Brookville on December 15th. Brevan King (2019) is currently 4th in the CBC in scoring with 16.2 points per game, Chase Adams (2019) is 2nd in assists (4.7), and Kevin Miller (2020) leads the conference in rebounds with 11.4 per game. Known in the past for being one of the better defensive teams in the area, Graham has been dominating on the offensive end, leading the CBC with 61 points per game. Waynesville was riding a 4 game winning streak before taking a loss against Legacy Christian 70-53. The Spartans will need a strong showing this weekend against Oakwood to hold their spot in the Top 5. A loss could eliminate Waynesville in next week’s rankings. Anthony Carmichael (2019) is 2nd in the SWBL with 8 rebounds per game.
1. Trotwood-Madison (5-1)
2. Chaminade-Julienne (7-1)
3. Fenwick (6-2)
4. Graham (8-2)
5. Waynesville (6-3)
Division III
Brookville takes over the top spot in Division III as they continue to pile up victories. The Blue Devils defeated Mississinawa Valley (58-31) and Franklin-Monroe (73-58) at the annual Jet Holiday Tournament. Led by Jacob Gudorf (2019) and his 16.4 points per game, Brookville has scored 55+ points in all but 1 game this season. In addition, this Blue Devils team leads the SWBL in rebounds per game with 33 as of January 1st. Anna, the other undefeated Division III team, continued their dominating path in the SCAL with a 59-51 victory over Fort Loramie. The Rockets have won all other games by 10+ points, but have two daunting matchups with Marion Local and St. Henry in the next two weeks. Those matchups will help us determine whether the Rockets should jump Brookville as the #1 team if both teams continue their winning streaks. Stivers drops two spots to #3 after losing 56-51 to Cincinnati Christian. Although this is not necessarily a bad loss, when there are two undefeated teams still standing within the division, even a good loss is enough to drop a team. The Tigers will look to rebound against a young Meadowdale squad. Madison dominated in Pigeon Forge, winning 3 matchups and increasing their winning streak to 6 games. The Mohawks continue to be one of the top defensive teams in Division III, giving up 40 points per game as of January 1st. A huge SWBL matchup with Northridge will test Madison, as the Polar Bears are averaging 59 points per game. West Liberty-Salem debuts in the power rankings after handing Springfield Catholic Central their first loss of their season 57-50. Although the Tigers are sitting with 3 losses, two of the losses are against the current top 2 teams in the OHC North. All 3 losses are by 10 points total. A matchup with Madison-Plains and Greenon should allow WL-Salem to continue their winning ways.
1. Brookville (9-0)
2. Anna (8-0)
3. Stivers (6-1)
4. Madison (8-1)
5. West Liberty-Salem (6-3)
Division IV
Even after losing to West Liberty-Salem on December 28th, the Irish hold their #1 spot, but are on a short leash with St. Henry and undefeated Emmanuel Christian hot on their heels. The backcourt of Trey Dunn (2019) and Sabien Doolittle (2019) continue to lead SCC. The Irish lead the OHC in points allowed, giving up 44 points per game as of January 1st. The Lions of Emmanuel Christian continue their undefeated start, but will need an impressive victory to jump Catholic Central. Luckily, a matchup on Friday with Legacy Christian will be just the test we need to see how good this Emmanuel Christian team is. The Lions have been the top defensive team in the MBC, led by Fred Shropshire (2020) and Adonis Davis (2019). St. Henry’s lone loss came against Russia in December, but their most recent victory, a 52-47 win against Marion Local was enough to bump the 1-loss Redskins into the Top 5. Currently riding a 5 game winning streak, St. Henry will face a tough rematch with Marion Local on Friday. After starting 0-2 on the season with losses against Stivers and Reynoldsburg, Legacy Christian has rallied off 8 straight victories including wins against Minster (57-52) and Waynesville (70-53) during the streak. Mike Sharavjamts (2022) has emerged as one of the top freshman in the area and become one of the Knights best weapons over the last few games. Matchups with Emmanuel Christian and Troy Christian will test LCA. St. John’s is riding a 3 games losing streak against Ottoville, Crestview, and Defiance. Although not necessarily bad losses, 3 total losses when the other 4 ranked teams have a combined 4 losses isn’t a good look. The fact that these losses are against quality opponents shouldn’t hurt St. John’s, but the Blue Jays will need to rebound against New Knoxville and Lima Central Catholic.
1. Springfield Catholic Central (8-1)
2. Emmanuel Christian (7-0)
3. St. Henry (6-1)
4. Legacy Christian (8-2)
5. Delphos St. John’s (6-3)