#1 WESTVIEW WARRIORS (12-1, 4-0 NECC)
The Warriors have bullied their way through a lot of the season with Kaden Grau, Austin Schlabach and Daniel Yoder being a three headed monster scoring the basketball. Westview pushes a torrid pace at times and others have struggled to keep up. Last week, they mostly rolled through the NECC Tournament and then showed a different kind of strength in outlasting Angola in the finals in overtime.
Its a weird week ranking wise with a lot of the top 10 teams beating each other in the past two weeks, throwing a wrench in how to rank in a true power poll. But as a team who was ranked third for OTH two weeks ago and hasn’t wavered since, it only seems right to put Westview right here for the time being.
Why not higher?
The rankings only go to one, right?
#2 SNIDER PANTHERS (9-5, 4-1 SAC)
With six straight wins, the Panthers have topped New Haven and Homestead in that timeframe. They are playing some of the best basketball in the area lately and you’d have to say the best in the SAC following last Friday’s big win opposite Homestead. Snider is only trending up this season after a tough start and it may not be long before they lead this power poll.
Why not higher?
They still sit at 9-5, so recent strengths and wins help, but we are looking further out to see if Snider stays consistent.
#3 SOUTH SIDE ARCHERS (14-1, 4-1 SAC)
It is hard to punish South Side, who has only played three times in the past two weeks since the last power poll. Never the less, they drop a couple spots following their loss to Homestead, almost more because of the fact that Snider and Columbia City have both since beaten the Spartans, making up part of this tangled web of rankings this week.
Why not higher?
Homestead loss is it. Wish there was a better answer, sorry Archers.
#4 NEW HAVEN BULLDOGS (12-3, 3-0 NE8)
Tarvar Baskerville’s shooting as of late has been a highlight for New Haven. His 15 points per game leads a heavy lineup that stays balanced; six guys averaging seven or more points per game and eight guys with at least a steal per game. The Bulldogs are 4-0 since the last OTH boys basketball power poll two weeks ago. In a week where this poll rightfully is hectic, this is a team that can sit strong in their spot.
Why not higher?
The loss to Snider keeps them below the Panthers for sure. The rest is just a tangled mess as I have said before this ranking and will say for the next several spots.
#5 COLUMBIA CITY EAGLES (12-2, 2-1 NE8)
Nothing could be more massive for the Eagles than their win over Homestead earlier this week. Not that long ago, Homestead was the lone area team in the IBCA top 20 poll, something that the Eagles ended up taking on themselves before an upset conference loss last Friday. Beating Homestead means they bounce back quickly so with the tangle of teams here between 2-8, they have a really good chance to pop back up past fifth quickly.
Why not higher?
The Eagles did lose to Huntington North less than a week ago. But outside of the Homestead win this week, the Eagles don’t have a win this calendar year yet over a team with a winning record.
#6 HUNTINGTON NORTH VIKINGS (10-4, 3-0 NE8)
Huntington North got real comfortable winning five in a row including last Friday’s marquee win over Columbia City to put them in the co-NE8 drivers seat. Dalton Husband played really good basketball for this team last week and their depth is looking as impressive as anyone’s as of late. February 7 is marked as a big one for the NE8, but before then Huntington North could grow a lot if they can have showcases opposite South Side and Carroll.
Why not higher?
The Vikings followed up last Friday’s massive win with a loss the next day to a below .500 North Side team.
#7 HOMESTEAD SPARTANS (10-4, 3-1 SAC)
Mack Welker was a machine last week in Homestead’s two wins, including 39 points and 10 rebounds in a big win over some-kind-of-rival Blackhawk Christian. The Spartans remain one of the best area teams, one of the area teams we could see making the biggest run in Class 4A and are still in the hunt for the SAC title. Recent losses hurt but at least they’ve been to high quality programs.
Why not higher?
Its a mess, have I said that? The Spartans beat this week’s #8 team, lost to #2, beat a game Marian squad and then lost to #5. Homestead is probably better than 7th in reality, but in terms of who has the power, a couple of tough losses has to push them down.
#8 BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN BRAVES (10-5)
The Braves are 2-1 since the last OTH Power Poll and their win over Bishop Luers last week was a tough, gritty performance that puts them back in all of our minds after their Homestead loss. The Braves are still trying to get their rhythm in ways with a full squad and a lot of scoring hierarchy needed. That said, they have a lot of high end options and sophomores Bryce Lacross and Drake Sefton have really been showing off.
Why not higher?
Lost to Homestead last week, makes sense to play behind them for now.
#9 ANGOLA HORNETS (11-3, 4-1 NECC)
Angola looked tough defensively last week in route to making the NECC Tournament finals and then taking Westview to overtime before running out of steam. They held Lakeland to 46 points less than the Lakers had scored two days prior in the opening round of the tournament, they stopped a surging West Noble and had Westview near their worst scoring game of the season prior to overtime. They’ve also bounced back with a win over a quality DeKalb team this week.
Why not higher?
Angola is 0-2 this season against other teams in the top 10…and both of those losses came to Westview.
#10 JAY COUNTY PATRIOTS (10-2, 2-0 ACAC)
There could be an argument that surging Heritage or ACAC leader Bluffton could be in this spot – Bluffton was #10 two weeks ago – but the Patriots came out of last week with another ACAC Tournament title, so time to invite them to the top 10 party. Junior Jayden Comer has taken control, averaging 15.1 points and 2.2 steals per contest for the team that has now won 8 straight games.
Why not higher?
This is a wait and see because of their schedule.
OTHERS IN CONSIDERATION (alphabetical)
Bluffton, 9-3
Carroll, 7-6
Fairfield, 7-2
Heritage, 12-3
Norwell, 9-4
Wayne, 8-5
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