SBLive’s Top 25 in Ohio high school boys basketball: Centerville makes a clear case that the Elks are No. 1
By Sam Houseworth | Photo by Ben Jackson
Fourth-quarter comebacks were the trend in Ohio this past week, with several cases among this week’s top 25.
Many ranked teams can clinch a share of their respective conference titles this week, as we are only two weeks away from the state tournament draw and three weeks away from the end of the regular season.
With so much on the line, the last few weeks are going to be the most competitive as we get ready for Destination Dayton.
SBLIVE’S OHIO TOP 25
1. Centerville (14-0)
Last Week: 2
Going on the road to beat the former No. 1 team in the state? Of course the undefeated defending D-I state champion Elks are going to be the new No. 1. Gabe Cupps and Tom House combined for 17 points in the fourth quarter in a come-from-behind victory in Akron. The 52-46 win was the Elks’ fourth win in seven days, also earning victories over SoCal Academy (Los Angeles), SPIRE Academy and Miamisburg. Centerville heads to Beavercreek on Tuesday, followed by weekend home games against Northmont and Moeller for a top 15 shootout.
2. St. Vincent-St. Mary, Akron (10-3)
Last Week: 1
The Irish opened the week with wins over conference leaders: On Sunday, STVM held off GMC leader Fairfield for a 71-67 win; Thursday, the Irish dominated Lake Erie League leader Cleveland Heights on the road 69-50. However, the 10-win streak came to a halt against GWOC leader Centerville at home. The Irish held a 40-35 lead going into the fourth quarter but could not overcome Ohio Mr. Basketball candidates Gabe Cupps and Tom House in the 52-46 loss. The Irish face St. Ignatius in Akron on Thursday.
3. Gahanna Lincoln (14-2)
Last Week: 3
We cannot forget about the Lions, who round out the Big 3 in Ohio for the 2021-22 season. Gahanna had four games in seven days, with only one of them being competitive. Joshua Whiteside contributed 11 points in the Lions’ 48-44 win over top 5 opponent Brush. The rest of the week was a cruise with double-digit wins over Walnut Ridge, Westland and Buchtel. The Lions host New Albany on Friday.
4. Pickerington Central (13-1)
Last Week: 5
Revenge is a sweet dish. The Tigers’ only loss of the season came in early December against division rival Newark at home. In their second meeting, the Tigers went into Newark and controlled the game from tip to Sonny Styles’ final dunk with seconds remaining. Four Tigers finished in double figures as Pick Central controls the OCC Buckeye destiny. The following night, Styles was at it again, leading the Tigers with 21 points in a 67-56 win over Taft. The Tigers host Central Crossing on Friday, followed by a trip downtown to face Africentric.
5. Brush, Lyndhurst (10-2)
Last Week: 4
The loss to Gahanna was not the way the Aces wanted to open the week. Brush took a 35-31 lead into the fourth quarter but couldn’t overcoming losing their two best big men to foul trouble and injuries. Gahanna would go on to win 48-44, despite 21 points from Ohio Bobcats commit Elmore James. The Aces will host John Adams this Saturday.
6. Fairfield (14-2)
Last Week: 7
A 71-67 loss to defending D-II state champion St. Vincent-St. Mary is not the result the Indians were looking for last Sunday, but it shows Fairfield belongs in the conversation of state championship contenders. Kollin Tolbert and Logan Woods contributed 18 each in the loss. Fairfield bounced back Friday with a 75-50 win against Mason, improving to 10-0 in the GMC. They head to Princeton on Friday.
7. Archbishop Alter, Kettering (13-2)
Last Week: 6
A simple week for the Knights as they completed the season sweep over Fenwick on Friday. Junior guard Anthony Ruffolo led the Knights with 17 points, going 5-for-6 from beyond the arc. Alter heads to second-place Chaminade Julienne on Friday, a team the Knights beat by 17 earlier in the season.
8. Kettering Fairmont (14-1)
Last Week: 9
The Firebirds make our third Dayton-area team in the top 8, begging the question whether Dayton is the Mecca of Ohio basketball and not Columbus. The Firebirds have won eight straight since their lone loss to GWOC rival and new No. 1 Centerville. The Firebirds earned a tough 60-49 win over Woodward on Monday, followed by a 54-32 GWOC win at Springboro. Fairmont hosts Springfield on Tuesday, followed by a trip to Miamisburg this Friday.
9. Hilliard Bradley (12-3)
Last Week: 8
The OCC Central Division is an absolute log jam at the top. Five teams are separated by one game, each with four divisional games remaining. One of the teams tied for first place is Upper Arlington, which the Jaguars beat on Friday 61-55 as revenge for an early-season loss. Another is Hilliard Davidson, which the Jaguars will face this Friday. And finally, the remaining first-place team is Olentangy Liberty, which the Jaguars get on Feb. 4. The end of the season will be nuts.
10. Lakota East (11-3)
Last Week: 10
The Thunderhawks bounced back well from their home loss to conference foe Fairfield. Lakota East had its way with Middletown, winning 59-38. Then came the rivalry game against Lakota West, looking for the series sweep. Charlie Kenrich posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Trey Perry came off the bench to score 18 as the Thunderhawks earned the sweep, 66-52. East is at Oak Hills on Tuesday, followed by a revenge game at Sycamore on Friday.
11. Westerville North (11-3)
Last Week: 12
Seven wins in a row for the Warriors after an uninspiring start to the season. Junior Carter Reese tallied 14 in the Warriors’ Monday win over DeSales, 50-40. They followed that up with a 68-36 win against Franklin Heights. The Warriors head to Delaware Hayes on Tuesday before the de facto OCC Capital Championship against Westerville South on Friday.
12. St. Edward, Lakewood (10-2)
Last Week: 14
There were a lot of marquee fourth-quarter comebacks last week, and St. Edward was one of them. The Eagles trailed at St. Ignatius 46-40 going into the final quarter. The Eagles ended the game on a 10-0 run, highlighted by Michael Bova’s eight points in the final 3½ minutes, to win 55-54. Their Friday win over Lutheran East was more comfortable, 83-65. St. Edward faces Glenville on Thursday, then Cleveland Central Catholic on Saturday.
13. Archbishop Moeller, Cincinnati (13-3)
Last Week: 13
Two wins for the Crusaders keep them in the GCL South title hunt heading into the final weeks of the season. Moeller had a comfortable 48-37 win at La Salle on Friday where Evan Mahaffey led all scorers with 19. Three Crusaders would finish another rout against Turpin on Saturday, winning 52-31. Moeller hosts Elder in the de facto GCL South Championship on Friday, followed by a true test at No. 1 Centerville on Saturday.
14. Pickerington North (11-2)
Last Week: 15
Pick North’s lone game of the week was at Westerville Central in OCC Ohio action. Senior guard Dior Conners led all scorers with 17. Pick North has a busy week ahead with Groverport Madison on Tuesday, a makeup game at Canal Winchester on Wednesday, and then hosting Westland on Friday.
15. Westerville South (14-0)
Last Week: 18
One thing that keeps the Wildcats relatively low in the rankings is their propensity for nail-biters against teams they should be dominating. Thankfully for Wildcat fans, that changed last week. Westerville South earned a 54-49 win over OCC Cardinal leaders Dublin Jerome on Monday. The Wildcats followed that up with a 60-25 win at Dublin Scioto. Westerville South hosts Big Walnut on Tuesday, followed by a chance to sweep Westerville North on the road this Friday.
16. Elder, Cincinnati (14-3)
Last Week: Unranked
Elder is 3-0 is the GCL South after its dominant win at St. X on Friday. Carson Browne was nearly unguardable throughout the night, posting 16 points and six rebounds, leading the Panthers in both categories. Elder will head to Moeller on Friday in a game that should decide the GCL South.
17. Sylvania Northview (11-1)
Last Week: 22
If there was any doubt that Northview belonged in the top 25, the Wildcats erased those thoughts win a convincing 70-55 win over St. Ignatius last Monday. The game turned into the Kasey Hunt show. The shooting guard led the team with 28 points, five boards, three assists and three steals while committing no turnovers. The Wildcats look to continue their hot streak against Holland Springfield on Tuesday and Anthony Wayne on Friday.
18. Taft, Cincinnati (8-5)
Last Week: Unranked
The Senators have not been averse to testing themselves all season long. Despite being a D-III team, they have numerous D-I programs on their schedule while playing in one of the toughest conferences in southwest Ohio. After blowout wins on the road against Hughes and Aiken last week, the Senators fell to top 5 opponent Pick Central, again on the road. Taft heads to Shroder on Tuesday before coming home to face Trotwood-Madison on Friday.
19. Dublin Jerome (11-4)
Last Week: 23
The Celtics finally climb in the rankings despite struggles over the past three weeks. Jerome opened the week with a 54-49 road loss to undefeated Westerville South but rebounded with a 73-47 win against Thomas Worthington. Luke Kuhlman led all Celtics with 17 points in their win on Friday. Jerome has a lone contest this week at Marysville on Friday.
20. Green, Uniontown (12-2)
Last Week: 16
The Bulldogs used suffocating defense to win a pivotal Federal League contest Friday. Holding Hoover to only three points in the third, Green was able to get enough insurance for the 36-31 win. Green heads to Lake for a big conference showdown Tuesday, followed by a trip to Perry on Friday.
21. Brecksville-Broadview Heights (13-0)
Last Week: Unranked
Fans of the Bees are probably wondering what took so long for their team to get the respect they deserve. The Bees went down to Tampa and swept the Nature Coast Tournament, came back to Ohio and beat then-undefeated Twinsburg, 81-51. Since then, they’ve won four more games by an average of 22.5 points per game. The Bees' biggest tests aren’t until February when they face Cleveland Central Catholic and St. Edward on the road.
22. Upper Arlington (12-3)
Last Week: 19
The lower half of the top 25 is filled with teams that have seen a downswing in 2022, and the Golden Bears are no exception. After ending last week with two key wins, Upper Arlington found itself on the wrong end of a 61-55 game at Hilliard Bradley. The Golden Bears host Chillicothe on Tuesday before a battle of OCC Central first-place teams when they host Olentangy Liberty on Friday.
23. Lima Senior (13-2)
Last Week: 11
The Spartans jumped into the top 25, only to respond with the worst week they have seen this season. Lima Senior opened the week by narrowly beating rival LCC 63-55. Then on Friday, the Spartans lost their first TRAC game of the season to Whitmer, 60-57. Finally, they were able to get a quality win over Lima Shawnee, 71-67. The Spartans’ lone game is at Clay this Friday.
24. Richmond Heights (11-4)
Last Week: 25
The Spartans looked comfortable in both of their wins last week as their schedule continues to be primarily Chagrin Valley contests. The Spartans steamrolled Pepper Pike Orange, 62-30, followed by an out-of-conference win over Harvey, 76-27. Richmond Heights hosts Beachwood in Chagrin Valley action on Tuesday, followed by a Friday game against Edgewood.
25. Woodward (Cincinnati) (10-3)
Last Week: 21
2022 has not been too kind to the Bulldogs so far as they’ve gone 2-2 since the new year began. This week, the Bulldogs suffered a loss to Kettering Fairmont on the road, 60-49, but bounced back with a 79-73 conference win at Western Hills. The Bulldogs have a busy week ahead with home games against Aiken, Hughes and Shroder on the schedule.
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