(2-17-25) That is a wrap for the boys basketball regular season. After the final week of play, it’s tough to know who the favorite in each division is (with one exception.) Even with seven divisions instead of four, the grind to UD Arena is not any easier with only 14 teams making that trip instead of the 16 from years past. So who tops the charts for the final regular season rankings? Well, there are two new number ones.

D I

The Columbus area holds onto four of the top five spots in D I with St. Ignatius breaking up the 614 party at number two. Olentangy Orange hold wins over the #2 and #3 teams in D I as well as the #1 team in D II. Whitmer climbs into the final top ten after completing a season sweep of Anthony Wayne on Tuesday.

D II

Westerville North has planted their flag at the top spot in D II and hasn’t been threatened all season long. Their only two losses came against the top two teams in D I while holding a season sweep of Delaware Hayes and Big Walnut. Lima Senior and Winton Woods will be the only threats to the Warriors in the postseason. However, Westerville North will only have to face one or the other as they will meet in the early rounds.

D III

Louisville and Aiken flipped again to wrap up the regular season. As far as depth, D III will be better and more competitive than their larger D II counterparts. To make things better, the talent is spread geographically with 5 of the 6 districts represented and Warren from the southeast just missing out at #11. Nobody in D III has an easy path to UD Arena.

D IV

Another flip-flop at the top spot as Wyoming jumps Alter in the final week. River Valley finishes at #4 in D IV and is the true dark horse going into the postseason. Yes, the Vikings possess a 20-2 record with a sweep of Marion Harding. But that is where the strength of their resume ends. Still, they have earned more respect than Meigs or Otsego, who despite 20-win seasons haven’t even sniffed the top ten.

D V

Year-in and year-out, we see the importance of strength of schedule going into the postseason. This year is no different as Lutheran East and Richmond Heights hold the top two spots while Minford and Columbus Academy finished behind them, despite a combined 41-1 record. Norwayne and Margaretta slide back but remain in the top six. Summit Country Day returns to the top ten after the Miami Valley Conference forfeited five of their late season contests. Liberty-Benton holds onto their top ten spot after falling to an undefeated Patrick Henry squad to wrap up their regular season.

D VI

Yet another new number one to wrap up the regular season. 20-win Tri-Village will be the top team in D VI going into the postseason. However, the difference between the Patriots, Monroe Central, and Spencerville is minimal, for all intents and purposes. Keep an eye on Patrick Henry who wrapped up their season with a big road win against a 20-win Liberty-Benton team. Staying in the northwest, Bluffton’s strength of schedule is the best in D VI and it’s not even close.

D VII

All season, it has been the St. John’s and Russia Show in D VII with the Raiders inching closer and closer. In the final ranking, the Bluejays hold onto the top spot, but barely over an undefeated Russia team. Behind them, Old Fort created some separation between themselves and the rest of the pack.