SBLive’s Top 25 in Ohio high school girls basketball: Mount Notre Dame's 79-game win streak ends
By Sam Houseworth | Photo by Ben Jackson
The story of the winter break was Princeton ending Mount Notre Dame’s 79-game winning streak.
Sole Williams, La’Sonja Hill and Dede Carter-Hartley all scored in double digits in the most high-profile upset of the season so far.
Between Reynoldsburg taking over the top spot, this week’s shake-ups and the unpredictability that has surrounded the season, it’s been one of the most exciting Decembers for fans of girls basketball in the state of Ohio.
It’s almost a guarantee that the upsets and shakeups will keep coming as we venture into the new year.
1. Reynoldsburg (9-2)
Two weeks ago: 1
The Lady Raiders hold the top spot in the SBLIve Top 25 after going 2-1 at the Innisfree Hotels Beach Tournament in Pensacola. There, Reynoldsburg faced two teams rated at the top of their respective states, defeating North Forsyth (Georgia) on Tuesday and falling to Vestavia Hills (Alabama) on Wednesday. The Lady Raiders are back in Ohio and will head to Central Crossing on Friday, then host Toledo Rogers on Saturday.
2. Archbishop Hoban, Akron (8-0)
Two weeks ago: 3
The Knights had 17 days of rest between games in December. They finally were able to take the court last Tuesday when they earned their seventh win of the season against Howland. Two nights later, they had a one-sided affair against Magnificat, running away with a 74-28 win. The Knights will head to Solon on Wednesday, followed by a Saturday contest at Olentangy Liberty.
3. Princeton, Cincinnati (10-0)
Two weeks ago: 6
In the most earth-shattering game of the holidays, the Lady Vikings snapped Mount Notre Dame’s 79-game win streak on Dec. 22. In a high-scoring contest, Princeton held a narrow margin at halftime, 38-34, then was lights out in the second half, ending the MND streak with authority, 86-59. The Lady Vikings were led by junior Sole Williams’ 33-point, six-assist performance. Princeton heads to Hamilton on Wednesday, followed by Sycamore on Saturday.
4. Fort Loramie (10-0)
Two weeks ago: 5
The Lady Skins added three wins to their record over the winter break, all in convincing fashion. Fort Loramie beat Houston 79-41 in its closest contest of the holidays on Dec. 21. The Lady Skins followed that win up with dominating performances over Fairlawn and West Liberty-Salem last week. Fort Loramie heads to New Bremen on Tuesday in nonconference action.
5. Dublin Coffman (8-1)
Two weeks ago: 4
The Lady Rocks extended their win streak to seven with a pair of winter-break wins. On Dec. 20, Coffman dismantled crosstown rival Dublin Jerome 58-20. They followed that up with a one-sided win over Imhotep (Pennsylvania) on Thursday, 63-38. The schedule gets more challenging with Gahanna Lincoln and Upper Arlington on deck this week.
6. Mount Notre Dame, Cincinnati (8-1)
Two weeks ago: 2
All good things must come to an end. The Cougars held the second-longest winning streak in Ohio high school girls basketball history at 79 going into their Dec. 22 contest against Princeton. But the undefeated Vikings weren’t ready to be another stat. MND bounced back last Tuesday with a 66-58 win at Centerville in a Top 25 showdown. The Cougars have a busy week ahead with East Central (Indiana), St. Ursula and Pick Central all at home.
7. Mason (10-1)
Two weeks ago: 7
The Comets were perfect over the winter break, including a trip to the State Farm Classic in Tennessee. Down south, the Comets finished 3-0 with wins over Columbia Central, Middle Tennessee Christian and Cane Ridge. Mason returns to action Wednesday at Sycamore, then hosts Colerain on Saturday.
8. Purcell Marian, Cincinnati (7-1)
Two weeks ago: 8
In their only game of the winter break, the Lady Cavs rolled over St. Albans (West Virginia) on Dec. 20, 82-37. Four Lady Cavs scored in the double digits, led by Dee Alexander with 33. Next up for Purcell Marian is a home game against Norwood, followed by a road trip to Summit Country Day.
9. Liberty-Benton, Findlay (5-1)
Two weeks ago: 9
The Eagles got only one game during the winter break, a 56-38 win over previously undefeated Convoy Crestview. LBHS jumped out to a 12-3 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. Next up is Blanchard Valley Conference action on Thursday at Cory-Rawson.
10. Shelby (11-0)
Two weeks ago: 25
Skyrocketing into the top 10 are the Whippets of Shelby High School. Over winter break, they earned wins over Williard, Trinity and a conference win against Clear Fork. The win over Clear Fork gives the Whippets a two-game lead at the top of the MOAC standings. The Whippets will host Buckeye Central on Tuesday, followed by Ontario on Saturday.
11. Pickerington Central (7-2)
Two weeks ago: 10
The Tigers headed to Orlando for the Florida Prospects Holiday Tournament this past week. There, Pick Central went a perfect 3-0, winning the eight-team tournament against some of the top teams in Florida. In the championship game, tournament MVP Berry Wallace scored 20 as the Tigers handed Wekiva its first loss of the season, 55-52. Next up is Lancaster on Friday, followed by Mount Notre Dame on Saturday.
12. Archbishop Alter, Kettering (9-1)
Two weeks ago: Unranked
A pair of winter-break blowouts propel the Knights to the top 15. Kettering Alter embarrassed Northmont 60-10 on Dec. 20 and followed that up with a 57-38 win over Beavercreek. Alter heads to Carroll on Wednesday, followed by a home game vs. Hamilton Badin this Saturday.
13. Worthington Christian (10-1)
Two weeks ago: 22
Despite suffering their first loss of the 2021-22 season, the Warriors earned a pair of blowout wins alongside a one-point loss to a power D-I program. WCHS tallied back-to-back 30-plus point wins over Licking Heights and Western Brown heading into winter break. Then on Thursday, the Warriors fell 32-31 to Olentangy Liberty. Worthington Christian is at Columbus Academy on Tuesday, followed by Bexley on Saturday.
14. Ottawa-Glandorf (7-2)
Two weeks ago: 13
The Titans added two more wins over winter break with a 39-28 win over Napoleon and a 43-22 win over Columbus Grove. O-G also suffered its second loss of the season, a 51-45 defeat to Convoy Crestview at Cedar Point. The upcoming schedule is truly brutal. O-G hosts WBL co-leader St. Marys on Thursday, followed by a top 15 contest against defending D-IV champion Fort Loramie.
15. Centerville (8-4)
Two weeks ago: 16
The two winter-break games on the Elks’ schedule went about how fans were expecting. Centerville improved to 6-1 in GWOC play with a 50-32 win over Wayne. That was followed up with a 66-58 loss against former No. 1 Mount Notre Dame last Tuesday. The Elks head to Springfield on Wednesday, followed by Thurgood Marshall on Saturday.
16. Fort Frye, Beverly (6-3)
Two weeks ago: 18
The Cadets had a solid week, extending their winning streak to three on the backs of wins over Garfield and South Range. Fort Frye will look to improve its record with a road contest at Parkersburg South this Friday.
17. Tri-Village, New Madison (8-2)
Two weeks ago: 15
Only one game to report for the Patriots, a 51-40 win over Jonathan Alder last Thursday. Rylee Sagester led the scoring with 22, while Meghan Downing was unstoppable on the boards, securing 13 rebounds in the nonconference win. Tri-Village has a pair of conference games this week against Dixie on Thursday and at National Trail on Saturday.
18. Sheridan (Thornville) (5-2)
Two weeks ago: Unranked
Welcome back, Generals. Sheridan handed Fairfield Union its first loss of the season last Tuesday, winning a physical contest that is the standard in southeastern Ohio. Faith Stinson led the Generals with 25 points in their 61-35 win. Sheridan has a busy week with games against Liberty Union, West Muskingum and River View, making for four games in eight days.
19. Union Local, Belmont (7-2)
Two weeks ago: Unranked
The Jets debut in the SBLive Top 25, and frankly, it’s about time! The Jets started the season 0-2 with losses to Worthington Christian and Linsly (West Virginia), neither of which are bad losses in hindsight. They went undefeated in the month of December and currently sit at the top of the Buckeye 8 Athletic League. The Jets will head to Martins Ferry on Thursday for a Buckeye 8 contest.
20. Russia (10-2)
Two weeks ago: 14
The Raiders began winter break with a Shelby County win at Anna, cementing their status as one of the top two teams in the conference. This past week, the Raiders won the Buccaneer Holiday Classic championship, beating Bradford 61-45 on Tuesday, followed by a 45-30 win over host Covington on Wednesday. The biggest game of the year is coming up this Thursday as Russia hosts Fort Loramie with the SCAL title on the line.
21. Bellbrook (10-0)
Two weeks ago: Unranked
The Golden Eagles debut in the SBLive Top 25 after steamrolling through the Southwestern Buckeye League. Bellbrook is a perfect 5-0 in conference play while winning by an average of 20 points per game. The Golden Eagles face Tecumseh on Tuesday, followed by Brookville and Waynesville on Thursday and Saturday.
22. GlenOak (Canton) (8-1)
Two weeks ago: 11
The Golden Eagles’ perfect season came to a sudden halt. After a 7-0 start, GlenOak fell to Newark, a team we had written off a month ago. The Golden Eagles would salvage that 59-32 loss with a 55-33 win over Kenmore-Garfield. Up next for GlenOak are a pair of home games against Green and Laurel on Wednesday and Saturday.
23. Newark (7-3)
Two weeks ago: Unranked
Welcome back to the SBLive Top 25, Newark! After a slow 3-3 start, the Wildcats have won four straight, all away from home since the middle of December. Their biggest win came on Dec. 21 at GlenOak, 59-32. The Wildcats return home Friday for a date with Groveport Madison.
24. Olentangy Liberty, Powell (8-1)
Two weeks ago: 23
The Lady Patriots’ winning streak is up to six after a winter-break win against previously undefeated Worthington Christian. Sophomore Gigi Bower led OLHS in scoring with 11. The Lady Patriots host Hilliard Davidson on Friday before heading to Akron for a Saturday Top 25 contest against Hoban.
25. Cincinnati Country Day (7-3)
Two weeks ago: 21
The Nighthawks earned a season sweep of CHCA on Dec. 20 before heading down to Florida for the Tampa Bay Christmas Invitational. Down in the Sunshine State, the Nighthawks finished 1-2, salvaging the trip with a New Year's Day win over Spruce Creek (Florida). The Nighthawks head home for a Wednesday conference contest against Summit Country Day.
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