SBLive’s Top 25 in Ohio high school girls basketball: Reynoldsburg rises to No. 1

By Sam Houseworth | Photo by Gabe Haferman

One of the more infuriating aspects of computer ratings is that a team can do all the right things and still fall down the ladder.

This is a concept rare in human polls, as teams tend to stay put if they beat respected teams and comfortably beat mediocre teams.

However, when dealing with hundreds upon hundreds of teams and a sample size of 20 games per season, style points become more important, and they matter in every game.

So, when the No. 2 team in the state beats a top 10 by 29 while the No. 1 team in the state beats a middle-of-the-road team by slightly more, computers take notice.

With that in matter and a prepared template for those angry letters to the editor, here’s the SBLive Top 25 for Ohio high school girls basketball!

SBLIVE’S OHIO TOP 25

1. Reynoldsburg (6-1)

Last week: 2

We have a new No. 1, and it is not without controversy. The Lady Pirates earn the top spot on the back of a 29-point win over then-No. 10 Newark on Friday night. West Virginia commit Imarianah Russell scored 21 in the Lady Pirates’ third win against a top 25 team this season. Reynoldsburg heads to Lancaster for a Friday night conference showdown.

2. Mount Notre Dame, Cincinnati (6-0)

Last week: 1

The Cougars were the clear No. 1 up to this week. The drop to No. 2 is more about Reynoldsburg and less about Mount Notre Dame, whose sole game this past week was a 64-26 win over a pedestrian Seton team. Mount Notre Dame will host Ryle on Thursday.

3. Archbishop Hoban, Akron (6-0)

Last week: 3

Much of the same for the Knights with a pair of blowout wins. On Saturday, Hoban dominated CVCA, 70-32, then followed that up with a 75-26 Sunday win over Boardman. Hoban is off this week and will return on the 23rd against Detroit Renaissance in Toledo.

4. Fort Loramie (6-0)

Last week: 4

The defending D-IV state champions show no signs of regressing to the mean. On Thursday, the Lady Skins earned a 50-18 win over Botkins, followed by another lopsided win on Saturday against Minster, 52-30. If there’s any question about when this program will slow down, freshman Avery Brandewie was Loramie’s co-leading scorer on Thursday with 15. The Redskins head to Versailles on Saturday.

5. Dublin Coffman (4-1)

Last week: 5

The Rocks had one game this past week: a home win against Olentangy Orange. The final score? 70-9. That’s it. That’s the summary. Coffman will face Marysville on Tuesday followed by Hilliard Davidson on Friday.

6. Princeton, Cincinnati (6-0)

Last week: 6

It was the Sole Williams show in Cincinnati this past week. The four-star junior put up 34 against Oak Hills and 26 against Fairfield. Combined, she was 25-for-34 last week. The Lady Vikings swept the week with ease, earning a 74-30 win over Oak Hills on Wednesday and a 58-18 win over Fairfield on Saturday. Next up are another pair of home games against Colerain on Wednesday and Lakota East on Saturday.

7. Mason (4-1)

Last week: 13

The opening-night loss feels like an eternity ago. The Comets cruised to two wins last week, defeating Lakota West 55-28 on Wednesday, followed by a 65-31 win over Oak Hills on Saturday. The Comets will stay at home this week with contests against Middletown and Hamilton on Wednesday and Saturday.

8. Purcell Marian, Cincinnati (5-1)

Last week: 17

The Cavaliers bounced back with a 78-30 win over conference rival Roger Bacon on Wednesday. Dee Alexander led the team with 27. The Cavs will be back in action Saturday when they face Cincinnati Country Day in a top 25 showdown.

9. Russia (6-1)

Last week: 11

The Raiders were up for their biggest challenge of the season since facing Loramie last month. On Tuesday, Russia secured a 60-48 win at then-No. 12 Tri-Village, followed by a 55-40 win over Botkins. The Raiders have a pair of midweek games coming up against New Bremen and Jackson Center.

10. Pickerington Central (3-2)

Last week: 9

Sometimes teams need a game on their schedule that is simply a confidence builder. That’s what the Tigers had Friday with a 62-6 win over Central Crossing. Pick Central heads to Groveport Madison on Friday before its Orlando trip during the winter break.

11. Ursuline Academy, Cincinnati (4-2)

Last week: Unranked

The Lions are the highest-ranked team to make their debut in the top 25 this week. Surprisingly, much of that bump is due to their competitive contest against Mount Notre Dame. Outside of that loss, the Lions’ season has been defined by convincing wins against solid programs like Lakota East, St. Ursula and Lebanon. The Lions have the week off before hosting West Clermont on Monday.

12. Ottawa-Glandorf (4-0)

Last week: 15

The Titans are proving there was no rust to shake off after a late start to the season. O-G opened the week with a Tuesday win over Kalida, 42-21, followed by a WBL win over Wapak, 57-35. However, their toughest opponent of this young season is Tuesday when they head to Liberty-Benton for a top 25 contest, followed by a conference game at Elida on Thursday.

13. GlenOak, Canton (5-0)

Last week: Unranked

Head coach Paul Wackerly earned his 500th career head coaching win when his Lady Eagles defeated his former team Hoover, 59-42. On top of that achievement, the win puts GlenOak in the driver’s seat of the Federal League as the only undefeated team remaining. The Lady Eagles have their toughest league challenge yet Wednesday when they head to Massillon to square up with Jackson.

14. Notre Dame Academy, Toledo (2-1)

Last week: 7

The Eagles were back this past week, splitting their week with a 52-26 win over Clay, followed by an out-of-state loss to Homestead (Fort Wayne, Indiana) The schedule has not been fun for the Eagles though. After opening night, they had a 19-day layoff, followed by two games in three days. Now, the Eagles will have to wait until the 20th to play again after their Monday contest against Lima Senior was postponed.

15. Cincinnati Country Day (5-0)

Last week: Unranked

A big 53-40 win over Roger Bacon has the Nighthawks appearing in the top 25. They head to Purcell Marian on Saturday, followed by a rematch with CHCA on Monday before they head to the Tampa Bay Tournament during the winter break.

16. Westerville South (4-2)

Last week: Unranked

It’s always sweet to earn a W against your crosstown rival. That was the result for the Wildcats on Friday when they dominated North, 65-39. After early-season losses, the Wildcats have won four straight, all by 20-plus. One final game before Christmas — Friday at Delaware Hayes.

17. Warren, Vincent (4-2)

Last week: 18

The Lady Warriors went across state lines to Linsly and gave the undefeated Cadets their biggest scare of the season. Ultimately, Linsly came away with the win, 43-39. The Lady Warriors are back at home Saturday where they will face New Philadelphia.

18. Newark (3-3)

Last week: 10

The Wildcats are this week’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde case. The blowout loss to then-No. 2 Reynoldsburg was a letdown on all fronts. This is still a top 25 team returning much of their core from a regional championship squad and holds a win over Pick Central. That said, the results need to start appearing soon. They should as their next two games are against Central Crossing and Westerville North.

19. Fort Frye (2-2)

Last week: 20

No games to report for the Cadets this past week. However, they get a shot at Linsly on Thursday after seeing the Cadets narrowly escape Warren.

20. Granville (7-0)

Last week: Unranked

The Blue Aces opened the week by taking down a previously undefeated Johnstown team 57-24. They followed it up with a 76-54 win over Zanesville, led by junior Ella Wigal’s 30-point performance. Granville returns home Friday to face Watkins Memorial.

21. Liberty-Benton, Findlay (2-1)

Last week: Unranked

Talk about bouncing back after an opening-night loss. The Eagles crushed Value 77-10 on Thursday, followed by a 45-18 win over previously undefeated Old Fort on Saturday. Senior Brooke Deeter averaged 17 points per game in the two wins. The Eagles host Ottawa-Glandorf on Tuesday in a top 25 matchup.

22. Centerville (6-1)

Last week: 24

Wins over Beavercreek and Northmont keep the Lady Elks in the top 25 as they prepare for a busy week ahead. Centerville has Fairmont, Springboro and Ryle, all within a five-day window.

23. Tri-Village, New Madison (4-2)

Last week: 12

If nothing else, the Lady Patriots have a schedule that would be a challenge to any small school in the state. The loss to Russia early in the week is a tough pill to swallow. They bounced back with a 66-38 win over Newton on Thursday. Next up is a road contest at Arcanum that will be a true measuring stick for this squad.

24. Bryan (6-1)

Last week: Unranked

After an opening-night loss, the Golden Bears have won six straight and found their way into the top 25. Their most recent win came Thursday with a 53-19 blowout at Hicksville. The Golden Bears return to conference play, hosting Swanton this Friday.

25. Shelby (6-0)

Last week: Unranked

The Whippets made a statement with a 60-18 road win against Galion on Friday. The 6-0 start makes Shelby the only undefeated team remaining in the MOAC. League play continues with Highland on Thursday and River Valley on Saturday.

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