(1-27-25)

Two weeks until the OHSAA Tournament draw. It feels like the boys basketball season just started. But with the days getting longer and the battles for conference titles heating up, we are seeing who to expect to make a deep tournament run all the way to UD Arena.

D I

Olentangy Orange rebounded with a trio of wins this past week, wrapping up the week with a 75-60 win over Bishop Hartley. Reynoldsburg remains the only undefeated team in D-I with wins over Teays Valley and St. Vincent-St. Mary. St. Ignatius has the game of the week in northeast Ohio when they head to Lutheran East on Thursday evening.

D II

 

No upsets to write home about as the top 5 in D II all hold pat. If anything, Westerville North put more distance between them and the pack with a 73-70 win against Delaware Hayes on Friday. Lima Senior extended their win streak to 10 with wins over Pace Academy (Georgia) and Sylvania Northview., two teams with a combined 30-7 record. The Spartans have another test this week when they head across town to face WBL leader Shawnee.

D III 

 

Aiken cleaned up this week with three wins, all by 20+ points, to become the new number one in D III. The Falcons’ marquee win was a 78-55 result over Taft. The two schools were both undefeated in Cincinnati Metro Conference play going into the contest. Aiken jumped out to a 29-14 lead after eight minutes and never looked back. Taft will look for revenge on February 7 to wrap up conference play for both teams.

D IV

 

Alter, Wyoming, and Ursuline are all neck-and-neck going into the final weeks of the season. Alter rebounded with weekend wins over Bishop Fenwick and Linsly (West Virginia.)  Wyoming remains the only undefeated team in D IV with wins over 12-win Bishop Hartley and Taylor. Ursuline earned a 61-53 win over 11-win Canton Central Catholic. 

D V

 

Lutheran East stays in the top spot following an 81-45 win over SPIRE Academy. However, Margaretta is gaining ground, climbing to second in D V after convincing wins over Valley View, Port Clinton, and 13-win Old Fort. The Saturday win over Old Fort was especially impressive given that Old Fort was ranked 3rd in D VII going into the contest. Still, the Polar Bears had no issues, winning 80-43. Liberty-Benton stays in the top 10 with road wins over Columbus Grove and Eastwood.

D VI

 

What a weekend for Spencerville. The Bearcats dropped their first contest of the season, 51-47 at Columbus Grove. After being the victim of the biggest upset in the state, Spencerville bounced back with a 65-61 win at previously undefeated Delphos St. John’s. While Spencerville holds the top spot in D VI after this weekend, Hiland and Tri-Village have inched ever closer to stealing it should the Bearcats slip up again.

D VII

Speaking of Delphos St. John’s, their loss, paired with their nail biter against St. Henry, see them concede the top spot in D VII. Russia, one of two undefeateds in D VII, claimed the #1 ranking after wins over Jackson Center and Miami East. South Webster, the other undefeated in D VII, could climb the rankings as they head to 12-1 Minford on Friday evening.