Rapid-Fire Summary. Let’s Go!

DIVISION I

Watch out, everybody! St. Edward has won seven straight and is hitting its stride as the regular season winds down. A 70–57 win over No. 9 (D-III) St. Vincent–St. Mary on Friday cements the Eagles as the team to beat in northeast Ohio.

We’ll see if they can hold onto that label — and get revenge for an earlier loss — when they host St. Ignatius this coming Friday night.

DIVISION II

Lima Senior may as well be ranked 1A in the state after an 84–60 domination of No. 10 (D-III) Lima Shawnee on Saturday. The Spartans’ lone loss came by two points against No. 1 (D-I) Lakota West, a result that looks more forgivable by the day.

Weekend matchups against No. 3 (D-III) Trotwood-Madison and 13–1 East Kentwood (Mich.) will provide another stern test.

DIVISION III

Looking strictly at the ratings, Division III turns into an absolute logjam after the top three. One team worth watching is Bishop Hartley, which rebounded from a mid-January slump with back-to-back marquee road wins at Bishop Watterson and Hoover.

The grind doesn’t ease up. Every remaining game features an opponent with double-digit wins, including a trip to No. 2 (D-IV) Maysville and a rematch with Bishop Watterson.

DIVISION IV

Another victim of Bishop Hartley earlier this month was Jonathan Alder. Since that six-point loss on January 13, the Pioneers have won five straight, including weekend victories over Urbana and Kenton Ridge.

This is a team peaking at the right time and controlling its own destiny in the Central Buckeye Conference Kenton Trail race.

DIVISION V

Paulding debuts in the top 15 riding an eight-game winning streak. The Panthers have quietly put together an excellent season and currently sit atop the Green Meadows Conference.

The streak includes wins over Liberty Center, Ayersville, and 15–2 Montpelier. A massive road test awaits at Fairview, where a win would clinch the GMC title.

DIVISION VI

I’ve talked plenty about the girls’ program at Columbus Grove, but the boys have been making noise too. The Bulldogs have won five straight, including road victories over Kalida, Liberty-Benton, and Spencerville.

Columbus Grove clearly isn’t allergic to challenges. Still ahead: 15–1 Van Buren, Lima Shawnee, and No. 7 (D-VII) Miller City.

DIVISION VII

Southern, down in Racine along the Ohio River, got off to a rough 2–2 start. Since mid-December, the Tornadoes have ripped off ten straight wins and now control their own destiny in the Tri-Valley Conference Hocking.

The finish won’t be easy, with eight games in 17 days to close the regular season. Highlighted matchups include Wahama (W.Va.), Reedsville Eastern, and Peebles.