(1-26-26) I hope everyone across Ohio stayed safe this weekend as the biggest snowfall of the year blanketed the Buckeye State. As a result, many high school games were rescheduled, postponed, or canceled. Combined with a short week, there wasn’t a whole lot to digest. But that won’t stop us from taking a look around the state.

DIVISION I

Hilliard Darby makes its debut in the top 15 on the strength of a six-game winning streak to start the new year. Home victories over Marysville and Grove City helped the Panthers stand out after some early stumbles through the holiday stretch.

Darby will have No. 9 Olentangy and No. 11 (D-II) Worthington Kilbourne circled on the calendar when the two meet in a couple of weeks.

DIVISION II

Division II has started to settle, with no movement in the top 10 following a shortened week. Brecksville-Broadview Heights was the biggest mover after knocking off No. 12 (D-I) Wadsworth, 56–47, on Wednesday.

Three Bees reached double figures, including junior Ashley Perdion, who finished just one rebound shy of a double-double. Brecksville returns home Wednesday for a key Suburban-National Conference matchup against Hudson.

DIVISION III

Once again, there was little movement at the top, but three new teams cracked the top 15. Western Brown has responded well since a heartbreaking loss at Goshen, putting together a four-game winning streak.

Granville has battled through a gauntlet schedule and still managed a 26-point win over 12–3 Johnstown-Monroe, while Warrensville Heights sneaks into the top 15 thanks to one of the toughest schedules in Division III.

DIVISION IV

Bellevue and Laurel continue to separate themselves, but several challengers are closing the gap. Canal Fulton Northwest extended its winning streak to 11 games with victories over Orrville and Streetsboro.

Archbishop Alter’s demanding schedule has begun to pay dividends, as the Knights picked up impressive wins over 14–3 Goshen and No. 5 (D-III) Chaminade Julienne. Liberty-Benton also climbed after a weekend win over No. 6 (D-VI) Patrick Henry.

DIVISION V

After a dominant regional championship run, questions surrounded how Africentric would respond, especially following an opening-night loss to Gahanna Lincoln. A lack of rigidity in the Nubians’ schedule made them difficult to evaluate early.

Since then, wins over Eastmoor, Newark, Briggs, and SPIRE Academy have made it clear Africentric remains capable of another deep Division V run. Upcoming games against Walnut Ridge and Westerville South will serve as key postseason measuring sticks.

DIVISION VI

Minster and St. Henry both worked their way back into the top 10 this week. For Minster, early-season losses at Arcanum and Celina feel like a distant memory, as the Wildcats have gone 13–1 since, with their lone loss coming to MAC leader St. Henry.

The Redskins may still be underrated, having won nine straight games by double digits. St. Henry’s remaining schedule includes Fort Loramie, Marion Local, Parkway, and Versailles, leaving plenty of opportunities to improve their standing.

DIVISION VII

I said it last week, and I’ll say it again: small-school divisions should not have this much parity. Miller City and Strasburg-Franklin have sat near the top all month, but challengers continue to emerge.

This week, Ottoville announced itself as a legitimate state contender, climbing into the top four. The Big Green are eager for another crack at Miller City after a one-point road loss in mid-December, but first must get past 16–1 Paulding and No. 9 (D-IV) Liberty-Benton to close the regular season.