Sam Houseworth writes for SBLive, High School FN

This is his article this week- Ohio boys high school basketball Top 25 rankings: St. Ignatius rises to the top (01/29/2024)

Thanks to Sam for allowing the article below to appear on SSN—talking about the AP Polls this week…

(1-29-24) In D-IV, undefeated Russia has 10 first place votes. However, Richmond Heights, who is 8-7, has the other 3 first place votes.

Richmond Heights also has the toughest SOS in the state, regardless of division, per Martin RPI. But also, many analysts would say that if Richmond Heights played Russia tomorrow at a neutral venue, Richmond Heights would win. Frankly, I agree that Richmond Heights would be slightly favored over Russia.

Richmond Heights Vs Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary

The Top Ten Productions – You Tube Video

That all said, what are we judging when these polls are put together? Are we asking who is the better team or who has had the better season so far? Because honestly, the answers to those questions can be wildly different.

Russia clearly has had the better season. They’re undefeated, will steamroll the SCAL, and will probably finish the regular season undefeated unless Botkins can pull a February surprise.

Richmond Heights is barely above .500, but they’ve played a brutal schedule by any standard. How much should they be punished for that?

It all goes to show when you ask someone who the best team is, there is no concrete definition of what the “best team” is.

If there were seven divisions—

Richmond Heights and Russia would be in different divisions-