Yesterday, we focused on the ladies. Today, the gentlemen are in the spotlight.

And just like yesterday, a significant number of teams are returning from out-of-state tournaments, mostly in Florida. Some records may not be fully up to date yet, but as always, I welcome coaches, parents, fans, and players to report any errors they may see so they can be corrected moving forward.

Now, onto the ratings.

DIVISION I

You may be asking, “Sam, how can a two-loss team be the best team in Division I?” The answer lies in who those losses came against.

For St. Xavier, both losses were by a single point — including one to undefeated Rockhurst (Mo.). On top of that, the Bombers own blowout wins over some outstanding programs in Trotwood-Madison and McNicholas. That résumé gives St. X the narrow edge at the top, though the difference between them and teams like Lakota West and Newark is microscopic.

DIVISION II

It is far too early to call Division II a two-team race, but two programs have clearly established an early head start: defending state champion Westerville North and Lima Senior.

Both squads feature elite junior talent in Tony Cornett and Shawn Foster, respectively, and both have dominated competition with just one hiccup against top-tier opponents. That said, teams like St. John’s Jesuit, St. Francis de Sales, and unbeaten Winton Woods are very much in the conversation — they just have a little ground to make up.

DIVISION III

With Louisville off to a rough start, you might expect Division III to be wide open. And in many ways, it is — except that Toledo Central Catholic is currently in the middle of a five-game run of dominance.

These are not just any wins. The Fighting Irish have beaten top programs from last season, including Brother Rice (Mich.) and Spencerville, both 20-game winners a year ago. Add in a win over St. John’s Jesuit, currently ranked in the top five of Division II, and TCC’s early résumé stands out.

Still, with only six games played, there’s much more to learn. Teams like Bishop Hartley, Steubenville, Lima Shawnee, and Trotwood-Madison are well positioned to challenge TCC as the season unfolds.

DIVISION IV

Once again, it’s too early to call this a two-team race. But, two teams have certainly separated themselves early.

Defending state champion Maysville and unbeaten Wyoming sit at the top for very different reasons. Maysville has been nearly impossible to slow down offensively, averaging 77.7 points per game, while Wyoming has been just as dominant on the defensive end, allowing only 44.3 points per contest.

Unlike Division II, however, the drop-off here is more noticeable, with teams like Alter, Northridge, and John Glenn currently playing catch-up.

DIVISION V

With wins over Reynoldsburg, Westerville North, and Hiland, it’s quite clear that Richmond Heights is the team to beat in Division V.

The Falcons are not only the clear frontrunner in their division, but they also belong in the discussion for best team in the state, alongside contenders from Divisions I and II. The question now becomes whether programs like Africentric, Margaretta, Chesapeake, or Versailles can rise up and challenge Lutheran East and Richmond Heights as the season progresses.

DIVISION VI

With Richmond Heights no longer in the mix at this level, Division VI may be the most intriguing division in the state.

Monroe Central immediately comes to mind after pulling four upsets en route to a state title last season. That said, their early schedule has left something to be desired, with only one opponent currently holding a winning record.

Meanwhile, Tri-Village has posted larger wins against stronger competition, including a 68–44 victory over Jonathan Alder and a 55–19 win over Kettering Fairmont. Marion Local is right there as well, highlighted by a 60–38 win over Jonathan Alder. And, of course, traditional powers like Hiland and Lima Central Catholic are never far from the conversation.

DIVISION VII

As we reach the smallest division in the state, the hierarchy becomes much clearer.

Delphos St. John’s would likely be the state championship favorite in two or three other divisions, given how they’ve opened the season. The Bluejays have won all 10 of their games by double digits, including impressive victories over Van Wert, Maumee Valley Country Day, and Lima Shawnee.

Botkins is a strong contender in its own right, boasting road wins over Jackson Center and Fort Recovery. All that’s left to hope for is that these two teams don’t cross paths until the state championship game at UD Arena.