CLEVELAND, Ohio – A week is left in the regular season of the high school boys basketball season, which means one Top 25 is remaining.
St. Ignatius is on top, while Villa Angela-St. Joseph makes a leap with its road win at St. Vincent-St. Mary. Brush, Clearview and Lutheran East also join the cleveland.com boys basketball rankings. The Arcs and Clippers wrapped up conference titles last week.
Read how the area stacks up.
1. St. Ignatius (15-5)
Where they stand: A one-point loss in overtime to the defending Division I state champions on the road is not enough to bump the Wildcats from the top spot.
Last week: Ranked No. 1, beat Massillon Washington 82-55 on Feb. 17, lost to Westerville South 84-83 in OT on Feb. 18.
This week: Tuesday vs. No. 9 Benedictine, Friday vs. Kenston.
2. St. Vincent-St. Mary (15-5)
Where they stand: One night, the Fighting Irish fall to Villa Angela-St. Joseph on Will Butler’s buzzer-beater. Two nights later, they shock state-ranked Massillon Jackson on a last-second shot by Jayvon Graves. Difficult to move STVM after a split with two of the state’s best in Divisions I and III.
Last week: Ranked No. 2, beat Walsh Jesuit 72-43 on Feb. 14, lost to VASJ 57-56 on Feb. 15, beat Massillon Jackson 74-72 on Feb. 17.
This week: Tuesday vs. North Canton Hoover, Friday vs. Canton McKinley.
3. St. Edward (15-5)
Where they stand: Perhaps the most encouraging part of St. Edward’s road win Saturday is the production it got from freshmen Grant Huffman and Devontae Blanton. Huffman has been a steady force all season, but Blanton — back from a knee injury — had nine points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Last week: Ranked No. 3, beat Cleveland JFK 82-26 on Feb. 17, beat Central Catholic 65-60 on Feb. 18.
This week: Tuesday vs. East English Village Prep, Saturday at Euclid.
4. Lorain (18-2)
Where they stand: The Titans have been the area’s most consistent programs with their only setbacks coming against North Canton Hoover and St. Edward.
Last week: Ranked No. 4, beat Bedford 74-34 on Feb. 17, beat North Ridgeville 78-62 on Feb. 18.
This week: Tuesday vs. No. 15 Central Catholic, Friday vs. No. 20 Cleveland Heights.
5. Archbishop Hoban (18-2)
Where they stand: With the North Coast League Blue Division sealed, Hoban can tune up for the Division I Copley District. The Knights are the top seed.
Last week: Ranked No. 5, beat Canton Central Catholic 55-46, beat Padua 62-53 on Friday.
This week: Tuesday vs. Youngstown Ursuline, Friday at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin.
6. Garfield Heights (16-4)
Where they stand: The Bulldogs are riding a four-game win streak that includes double-digit wins at Medina, against Division IV power Lutheran East and MLK, one of the Senate League’s top teams this season.
Last week: Ranked No. 6, beat MLK 91-62 on Feb. 14.
This week: Tuesday vs. Akron North, Friday vs. North Canton Hoover.
7. Copley (20-0)
Where they stand: The Indians will put their perfect record on the line against a one-loss Wooster squad that recently climbed up The Associated Press state poll.
Last week: Ranked No. 7, beat Aurora 102-57 on Feb. 14, beat Kent Roosevelt 89-38 on Feb. 17.
This week: Tuesday vs. Wooster, Friday at Green.
8. Villa Angela-St. Joseph (15-5)
Where they stand: Is VASJ the hottest team in Cleveland? They are riding a six-game win streak, capped by Wednesday’s win at STVM.
Last week: Ranked No. 12, beat STVM 57-56 on Feb. 15, beat Trinity 69-42 on Feb. 17.
This week: Friday at Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas, Saturday at Warren JFK.
9. Benedictine (16-4)
Where they stand: The Bengals won’t cut down the nets for an NCL title, but they still can do it at Stow. Benedictine will be the top seed there and enters the final week of the regular season with a four-game win streak.
Last week: Ranked No. 10, beat Lake Catholic 77-55 on Feb. 17.
This week: Tuesday at No. 1 St. Ignatius, Friday vs. Walsh Jesuit.
10. Maple Heights (16-3)
Where they stand: Friday’s win at Shaw might have allowed the Maple Heights coaching staff to catch its collective breath. The previous three games included comebacks from double-digit deficits.
Last week: Ranked No. 11, beat Lutheran East 92-83 in OT on Feb. 14, beat Shaw 78-47 on Feb. 17.
This week: Tuesday at Warren Harding, Wednesday at Warrensville Heights, Friday vs. Bedford.
11. Elyria (16-4)
Where they stand: Four teams — the Pioneers, Mentor, Medina and Brunswick — are separated by a game in the Greater Cleveland Conference. Elyria controls its destiny for a share and will be the No. 2 seed at the Division I Elyria Catholic District behind Lorain.
Last week: Ranked No. 8, beat Strongsville 78-75 on Feb. 14, lost to Mentor 61-49 on Feb. 17.
This week: Tuesday vs. Shaker Heights, Friday at No. 12 Solon.
12. Solon (15-6)
Where they stand: The Comets can spoil the GCC title picture when they play host to Elyria in Friday’s regular-season finale. From there, they await Willoughby South or Riverside as the top seed in the Division I Euclid District.
Last week: Ranked No. 15, beat Strongsville 93-63 on Feb. 17.
This week: Friday vs. No. 11 Elyria.
13. Cornerstone Christian (16-5)
Where they stand: The Patriots slip a few spots this week for a Jan. 28 loss vs. Lincoln West, which had been disputed as a JV game.
Last week: Ranked No. 9, beat Ashtabula Edgewood 83-60 on Feb. 14.
This week: Monday at No. 14 Mentor.
14. Mentor (14-5)
Where they stand: The Cardinals salvaged a split of their two games against Elyria, and it could net them at least a share of the GCC. A busy week serves as an appetizer before district play.
Last week: Ranked No. 16, beat Elyria 61-49 on Feb. 17.
This week: Monday vs. No. 13 Cornerstone Christian, Friday at No. 18 Medina, vs. SPIRE Institute.
15. Central Catholic (13-7)
Where they stand: Senior forward Miryne Thomas flirted with another double-double Saturday in a five-point home loss to No. 3 St. Edward. Another tough test awaits Tuesday for the No. 3 seed at the Division II Stow District.
Last week: Ranked No. 13, beat Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas 85-62 on Feb. 17, lost to St. Edward 65-60 on Feb. 18.
This week: Tuesday at No. 4 Lorain, Friday vs. Youngstown Valley Christian.
16. Holy Name (17-3)
Where they stand: The Green Wave bounced back from their setback at Central Catholic by clinching a share of the Great Lakes Conference with Elyria Catholic.
Last week: Ranked No. 14, beat Normandy 90-66 on Feb. 17.
This week: Tuesday vs. Lake Catholic, Friday vs. Rhodes.
17. Ellet (18-3)
Where they stand: The Orangemen won the Akron City Series postseason championship. Like STVM, they now get their shot at Massillon Jackson in a Summitt County vs. Stark County matchup.
Last week: Ranked No. 17, beat Buchtel 61-44 on Feb. 17, beat Green 46-31 on Feb. 18.
This week: Friday vs. Massillon Jackson.
18. Medina (15-6)
Where they stand: The Bees have suffered a three-game skid. However, they still are not out of the GCC title picture before taking to the Division I Copley District.
Last week: Ranked No. 19, lost to Shaker Heights 72-66 on Feb. 17.
This week: Friday vs. No. 14 Mentor.
19. Brunswick (15-6)
Where they stand: The Blue Devils have won eight of nine. That one loss came against Medina, which keeps them from overtaking the Bees.
Last week: Ranked No. 20, beat Euclid 66-59 on Feb. 17.
This week: Friday at Shaker Heights.
20. Cleveland Heights (11-8)
Where they stand: The Tigers are reeling with a three-game losing streak. The last two came at the buzzer vs. Maple Heights and Warrensville Heights.
Last week: Ranked No. 18, lost to Warrensville Heights 48-46 on Feb. 17.
This week: Tuesday at Bedford, Friday at No. 4 Lorain.
21. Wadsworth (15-5)
Where they stand: The Grizzlies are the hottest team in the Suburban League’s National Division with 10 wins in their last 11. That one loss came to unbeaten Copley.
Last week: Ranked No. 22, beat Brecksville 53-39 on Feb. 14, beat Hudson 57-48 on Feb. 17.
This week: Tuesday at Kent Roosevelt, Friday at Nordonia.
22. Stow (15-4)
Where they stand: The Bulldogs control their destiny in the National Division with a half-game lead on Wadsworth while needing a win Friday at North Royalton to seal it.
Last week: Ranked No. 23, beat Cuyahoga Falls 68-54 on Feb. 14, beat Brecksville 51-39 on Feb. 17.
This week: Friday at North Royalton, Saturday at Green.
23. Brush (18-3)
Where they stand: A second win this season against Madison sealed the Arcs’ Western Reserve Conference title Friday at home. They have won six straight.
Last week: Not ranked, beat Eastlake North 71-32 on Feb. 14, beat Madison 63-55 on Feb. 17.
This week: Tuesday at Gilmour.
24. Clearview (17-3)
Where they stand: John Szalay’s Clippers reach the Top 25 for the first time this season after an overtime win against Oberlin to seal the Patriot Athletic Conference Stripes Division title. They have won eight straight, including big ones this month against Vermilion, PAC Stars champ Buckeye and Oberlin. Deuce Martin had 33 points in the title clincher Friday.
Last week: Not ranked, beat Buckeye 76-67 on Feb. 14, beat Oberlin 75-63 in OT on Feb. 17.
This week: Tuesday vs. Elyria Catholic.
25. Lutheran East (13-9)
Where they stand: The Falcons’ brutal schedule, coupled with their win against Senate League champion East Tech, has them back at No. 25. They are off until opening the Orwell Grand Valley District as its top seed in Division IV.
Last week: Not ranked, lost to Maple Heights 92-83 in OT on Feb. 14, beat East Tech 67-61 on Feb. 17.
This week: Idle.
DROPPED OUT
Elyria Catholic (15-6, was No. 21), East Tech (16-6, was No. 24), Brecksville (14-6, was No. 25).
IN CONTENTION
Avon (15-5), Avon Lake (15-6), Oberlin (15-5), Woodridge (20-1).
Contact sports reporter Matt Goul on Twitter (@mgoul) or email (mgoul@cleveland.com). Or log in and leave a message below in the comments section.
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