Ohio boys high school basketball Top 25 rankings: Garfield Heights stands alone undefeated (2/5/2024)

Pickerington Central's upset win over Olentangy Orange leaves Bulldogs as the last unbeaten team in the Power 25

We have made it into the home stretch of the regular season, with the playoffs fast approaching. 

This past weekend saw a trio of SBLive Ohio boys basketball Top 25 showdowns across the state. This week will be the final push for top seeding in the upcoming OHSAA sectionals and districts. 

And of course, we can't forget about all the conference championships on the line in the final three weeks of the regular season. Things are about to get hot!

SBLive Ohio boys basketball Power 25

1. St. Ignatius (16-3)

Last Week: 1

It has been a historic season for the Wildcats, regardless of what happens the rest of the way. That fact was solidified with a 64-61 win at then-No. 14 St. Edward on Friday. This was the Wildcats' first road win against St. Edward since 2017 and their first season sweep of their rival in program history. St. Ignatius capped off the weekend with a 76-52 win against Avon. On Wednesday, the Wildcats head to Benedictine for a midweek showdown.

2. Findlay (14-1)

Last Week: 3

This week featured a pair of home wins for Findlay. The Trojans defeated Northern Lakes League foe Anthony Wayne, 63-36, on Tuesday, followed by a 55-38 win over Bowling Green. Findlay has a nonconference showdown with a 12-4 Elida squad before the game of the year. On Friday, it is Findlay hosting Whitmer, a battle of top 10 teams with the league crown on the line. This will easily be the biggest game in northwest Ohio this season.

3. Garfield Heights (17-0)

Last Week: 4

Garfield Heights' 17-game winning streak is even more impressive considering that their last seven have been by double digits. That streak continued with a 79-39 win over Shaker Heights and a 74-45 win over Warrensville Heights. However, the Bulldogs' next contest will be their toughest of the season: a Wednesday showdown with Division II state favorite Lutheran West. The gym will be packed!

4. Olentangy Orange (17-1)

Last Week: 2

The Pioneers could not miss in the second half of their contest on Friday, defeating Upper Arlington, 53-31. It was another story on Saturday. The Pioneers had no answer for Amare Spiva, who was dominant on both ends of the court for Pickerington Central. The Tigers pulled off the upset, 59-56, in Lewis Center. The Pioneers host Olentangy on Tuesday, then head to Hilliard Bradley on Friday for a chance at an outright OCC Central Division title.

5. Whitmer (15-1)

Last Week: 6

If the Northern Lakes League did podium finishes, there's no question that Perrysburg would finish in the top 3. Whitmer was challenged to the very end by the Yellow Jackets on Tuesday, holding on late for a 77-71 victory. The Panthers cemented their first-place standing with a 92-55 win over Fremont Ross. As mentioned earlier, Whitmer heads to Findlay on Friday for a top 5 game that will decide the NLL champion. 

6. Brunswick (17-2)

Last Week: 7

Brunswick earns a breather after going 4-0 last week, including conference wins over Mentor and Shaker Heights. The Blue Devils have built a 1 1/2-game lead in the Greater Cleveland Conference as they head into a bye week. Their next game is Feb. 13 at Strongsville.

7. Archbishop Moeller (18-1)

Last Week: 8

Moeller has already clinched a share of the Greater Catholic League South championship following a 44-28 win over then-No. 18 Elder. The Crusaders outrebounded Elder 27-15 on the night while blocking five shots. Moeller came back Saturday to earn a 56-34 win over Newport Central Catholic (Kentucky). The Crusaders head to Mason on Tuesday, with a chance for an outright GCL South title when they host St. Xavier on Friday.

8. Delaware Hayes (16-1)

Last Week: 9

It was all about revenge Friday as the Pacers looked to avenge their December loss to Westerville South. After a back-and-forth first quarter, the Pacers put up 25 in the second. Westerville South fought to within two, but the fourth belonged to Hayes, sealing a 73-55 win. The Pacers can clinch a share of the OCC Capital Division with a pair of road conference games against Dublin Scioto and Canal Winchester.

9. Centerville (12-5)

Last Week: 11

The Elks return to the top 10 following a buzzer-beating 62-61 road win over Fairmont. Down two, Centerville called a timeout with 3.5 seconds left. Ball inbounded to Baboucarr Njie, who let go of a contested 3, banking it in at the horn for the win. The Elks are back in action Monday against Springfield, followed by a trip to Indiana to face national power La Lumiere.

10. Lutheran West (16-2)

Last Week: 16

If there were any questions as to who the favorite in Division II was, they were answered Friday. After opening the week with a 82-41 win at Fairview, the Longhorns faced rival Lutheran East. Trailing 35-26 in the third, West responded with back-to-back-to-back 3s, cutting East's lead to 37-35 going into the fourth. Suffocating defense by the Longhorns complemented by aggressive inside play saw West build a lead they would never relinquish. West wins, 47-42. The Longhorns face No. 3 Garfield Heights on Wednesday and Lima Senior on Saturday.

11. Lutheran East (14-4)

Last Week: 5

It has been a rough couple of weeks for Lutheran East. The Falcons have dropped three of their last four, including a stinging loss to archrival Lutheran West on Friday. In the middle was a solid 68-44 win over a tough Brush team. The road continues to be challenging for the Falcons with St. Edward on the schedule Wednesday.

12. Richmond Heights (9-7)

Last Week: 12

Richmond Heights has continued to climb the rankings as the Spartans' win streak hit four last week, including a 95-62 home win over Revere. The benefit of playing the state's toughest schedule is the Spartans will be battle tested for the OHSAA playoffs in a couple of weeks. The bad news is they are in line for the No. 6 seed (out of 40) in Northeast Ohio. The Spartans host another Division I opponent Tuesday in Buchtel.

13. Hilliard Bradley (14-4)

Last Week: 13

The Jaguars could just as easily be 17-1, given that three of their losses were by one possession. Hilliard Bradley stayed in the OCC Central race with a 58-55 win over Olentangy Liberty on Friday. They followed that up with a 67-46 win over a talented Perrysburg team, the same team that upset Findlay last week. The Jaguars get another chance against No. 4 Olentangy Orange on Friday, this time in Hilliard.

14. Westerville North (14-4)

Last Week: 10

The Warriors took care of business with a 65-47 win over Canal Winchester on Friday, as Micah Young and Tai Perkins co-led the team with 16 each. Saturday night was a different story. Young's 23 points were not enough as the Warriors fell 58-55 to St. Vincent-St. Mary. Westerville North hosts Big Walnut on Tuesday, followed by a road contest against Worthington Kilbourne on Friday.

15. St. Edward (11-6)

Last Week: 14

While it is easy to build up Richmond Heights' schedule, St. Edward has the second-toughest schedule in the state. All six of their losses were against top 10 teams in the state or nationally recognized out-of-state competition. That tough slate continues when the Eagles head to No. 11 Lutheran East on Wednesday.

16. Ottawa-Glandorf (16-2)

Last Week: 15

If you thought O-G was just Colin White, think again. Senior Caden Erford was in Steph Curry mode, burying 10 threes in the Titans' 87-53 win over Celina on Friday night. Erford finished with 36 points, while White added 31 of his own. O-G is back in action Friday at Lima Shawnee with first place in the Western Buckeye League on the line.

17. Louisville (16-2)

Last Week: 17

The Leopards bounced back from a tough loss at St. Edward, going on the road and beating Marlington 83-39, followed by a home win over Canton McKinley on Friday, 71-67. Their lone contest this week is Friday against Massillon. 

18. Reynoldsburg (13-5)

Last Week: 21

Just like that, Reynoldsburg controls its own destiny in the OCC Buckeye Division. The Raiders opened the week with a 62-52 win over Columbus St. Francis, followed by an 82-51 road win over Lancaster. The Raiders sit at 7-1 in the division, tied with Newark. Their final two conference games are Friday at Central Crossing and Feb. 16 against 2022 Division I champion Pickerington Central.

19. Lexington (18-1)

Last Week: 22

Lexington clinched a share of the Ohio Cardinal Conference after a 57-47 win over New Philadelphia. The conference title is Lexington's 27th, and not its last as sophomores Brayden Fogle and Joe Caudill were instrumental in the win, scoring 15 each. Another sophomore, Seven Allen, added eight. The Minutemen are at West Holmes on Friday.

20. Shelby (15-2)

Last Week: 25

A pair of wins last week result in Shelby clinching its fifth straight outright title in the Mid Ohio Athletic Conference. Issaiah Ramsey led the Whippets with 25 points in their 86-77 win over River Valley. Wright State commit and double-double machine Alex Bruskotter dropped 42 against Clear Fork in their 91-45 win on Saturday. The Whippets host Ontario and No. 2 Findlay this weekend.

21. Brecksville-Broadview Heights (15-1)

Last Week: NR

Welcome back, Bees. Brecksville trailed Buchtel 24-18 on Tuesday, but halftime adjustments saw the Bees outscore Buchtel in the third, 18-9. Luke Skaljac led the Bees with 20 as Brecksville finished the comeback with a 56-48 win over a talented Buchtel squad. The Bees followed it up with a 66-49 win at Nordonia, making it eight in a row. The Bees face North Royalton on Tuesday and head to Wadsworth on Friday.

22. Green, Uniontown (13-3)

Last Week: 23

Green earned a pair of road wins last week, leading up to a rematch for the league title. The Bulldogs defeated crosstown rival Uniontown Lake 53-42 on Tuesday. They followed that up with a 44-42 win at Perry. After hosting Hoban on Tuesday, the Federal League will be on the line when Green hosts Canton McKinley on Friday.

23. Harvest Prep (15-4)

Last Week: NR

If you're looking for a dark-horse pick in your OHSAA Division III state playoffs office pool, Harvest Prep is a solid option. After a subpar showing at the Smoky Mountain Christmas Classic, the Warriors have been on the rise throughout the new calendar year. The Warriors hold wins over Grove City Christian, Hilliard Davidson and Dublin Jerome in the new year. The challenges continue with Dublin Coffman on Tuesday.

24. Elder (15-3)

Last Week: 18

Elder's only game last week was its weakest offensive performance all season: a 44-28 loss to Moeller. The Panthers will look to bounce back when they face Wyoming on Tuesday, followed by GCL South rival La Salle on Friday.

25. Toledo Christian (15-1)

Last Week: NR

After Anna's upset win against then-No. 19 Russia, picking a team for this final spot was a huge challenge. Russia, Warren, and New Albany were all in the conversation. But Division IV Toledo Christian get the nod. The Eagles have several strong wins against Springfield Emmanuel Christian, Old Fort, and Anthony Wayne. Most importantly, they avenged their lone loss of the season this week with a 62-40 win at Maumee Valley Country Day. Don't be surprised to see Toledo Christian in the state finals next month.