#1 SOUTH SIDE ARCHERS (12-0, 3-0 SAC)
Who knew that we’d be opening 2026 here? All of the credit in the world to South Side, who have put together a sensational run to start the season that has really showcased depth and a variety of lead talents from so many players. The Archers not only have been dominant, they often have looked like the most prepared program in the area nightly. Friday’s showdown with Homestead will tell us alot, but so far the Archers have looked almost as perfect as their record.
Why not higher?
South Side’s first trip ever to an OTH #1 spot proves that there is no place higher.
#2 HOMESTEAD SPARTANS (7-2, 2-0 SAC)
Homestead has had to lean on three guys to play over 30 minutes a night and they are all responding as double digit scorers. While Mack Welker (18.6 ppg) and Jake Coolman (11.1 ppg) aren’t surprises at all, lets give some credit to sophomore Ryder Imel, who has stepped up in major ways to keep this Spartans team near the top of the area. The big time shooter is averaging 10 ppg and shooting 45 percent from behind the arc.
Why not higher?
This is all South Side. If the Archers weren’t the Archers, Homestead would be higher.
#3 WESTVIEW WARRIORS (9-1, 4-0 NECC)
Westview may have the most dominant duo in all of Northeast Indiana. Either Austin Schlabach or Kaden Grau can give them 20-plus points per night. Big perk for the Warriors, they often do it in the same night as they did with 48 combined points this week in a dominating win over a starting to surge East Noble team. The Warriors have one loss on their hands and it was in game 2 of the season to a Northridge team who’s only loss is to undefeated Goshen.
Why not higher?
A run through next week’s NECC Tournament…again…may change that.
#4 COLUMBIA CITY EAGLES (9-1, 1-0 NE8)
After an impressive win with a three point barrage this week against NorthWood, the Eagles are looking at some key games in trying to defend their NE8 title coming up. Landon Richmond has been dominant inside and it has to give pause to everyone else on the Eagles’ schedule. When you have a team who can control the interior so well and shoot like they did opposite NorthWood, it is likely they are going to be a hard out for ANYONE left on their schedule.
Why not higher?
It is a packed race in the top 4. Give it time CC, lets see how these next couple of weeks shake out.
#5 SNIDER PANTHERS (6-5, 2-1 SAC)
Winners of three in a row and four of their last five, it is looking like Snider is really starting to find their stride as they balance such bevy of offensive talent. Take Tuesday’s big win over New Haven this week, where eight different guys played double digit minutes and three of whom scored in double digits. There is a lot of talent at Snider and once it comes together completely they are scary. Tuesday against New Haven, they did already look kind of scary.
Why not higher?
Still a five loss team.
#6 NEW HAVEN BULLDOGS (8-3, 1-0 NE8)
New Haven may the best team in the area at getting up and down the court and they have proven it nightly even in losses. They have been able to string together three wins in a row twice now this season before being caught and also have only lost by 5.7 ppg on average in their three losses. Tarvar Baskerville has been mister do a lot as expected but New Haven has benefitted a ton from the emergence of senior Daylen Jackson, who is averaging 10.5 points and 5 rebounds per game.
Why not higher?
Tuesday’s loss to the team just ahead of them.
#7 BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN BRAVES (8-4)
The Braves wrapped up a 3rd place finish at their chosen holiday tournament and it brings them into the new year as winners of three of their last four, with momentum and with a returned Briggs Pardon who gave an intangible laden 7 point, 4 rebound, 2 assist effort to his return to play. Pardon gives the Braves another credible scoring threat, which is huge with what they already had established and with with Payton Rhinehart and Jaeden O’Neal stepping up so much to start the season.
Why not higher?
Inconsistencies in stringing together wins. The Braves also don’t have a win against an area team since December 19.
#8 FAIRFIELD FALCONS (6-1, 2-0 NECC)
One of the hallmarks of alot of the top teams in the area and especially in the NECC is depth. Fairfield has been able to flex that in all kinds of ways. They have done it with guys in enhanced roles from a year ago, they have done it with expected top guys like Parker Smith and they’ve done it with role players stepping up when needed. Matthew Holsopple’s strengths in several games this season may have him in the conference’s biggest breakout role right now.
Why not higher?
The loss to Goshen puts us on a solid pause as we see how Fairfield navigates next week’s NECC Tournament.
#9 ANGOLA HORNETS (7-2, 3-1 NECC)
Few teams have been able to settle in a 9-10 man rotation as well as coach Bryan Weber has this season. While sophomore Niles Knox and senior Ryan Stuckey rightfully get a lot of attention, the Hornets have been able to utilize constant substation patterns to their advantage. It has benefitted them to keep guys fresh and as a team who has been to overtime twice already this year and is kind of prone to OT games (6 times last season), that is critical work.
Why not higher?
The loss to Westview means that we don’t see another NECC team moving up too high before the conference tournament next week.
#10 BLUFFTON TIGERS (7-2, 2-0 ACAC)
Headed by the brothers Grieser, the Tigers have won seven in a row after back to back losses to start the season that gave us some pause on who they’d be in the top of the ACAC even. Declan Grieser picked right back up where he was last season as one of the area’s top scorers, while sophomore brother Gavin Grieser has helped enhance Bluffton’s grittiness and around the rim presence.
Why not higher?
I think we may still be trying to figure out who the Tigers are on a scale outside of the ACAC.
OTHERS IN CONSIDERATION
Dekalb (7-2)
Heritage (9-2)
Huntington North (7-3)
Prairie Heights (6-2)
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