CLEVELAND, Ohio – No teams dropped from the cleveland.com boys basketball Top 25, and St. Ignatius remains at No. 1, but there is shuffling within the rankings.
Central Catholic rose six spots after a decisive win Saturday against Holy Name. Meanwhile, St. Ignatius kept its hold on the top spot after another overtime win — this time on the road in comeback fashion — against St. Edward.
All of it set up the district tournament seed voting and bracket selection, which took place Sunday.
RELATED: District seeding takeaways.
Now, here is how teams stack up regardless of division.
1. St. Ignatius (14-4)
Where they stand: The Wildcats wrapped up the top seed in the Division I Strongsville District with a second overtime win against rival St. Edward. Their resume includes a 22-point win against Columbus Northland, which was ranked fifth last week in Division I for its area by 270Hoops.com, plus a recent 24-point thrashing of Cleveland Heights.
Last week: Ranked No. 1, beat St. Edward, 75-72 in OT, on Feb. 10; beat Solon, 90-80, on Feb. 11.
This week: Friday vs. Massillon Washington, Saturday at Westerville South.
2. St. Vincent-St. Mary (13-4)
Where they stand: The Fighting Irish ride a seven-game win streak into this late-season stretch after one of their tougher games against rival Archbishop Hoban.
Last week: Ranked No. 2, beat Archbishop Hoban, 59-57 in OT, on Feb. 7.
This week: Tuesday at Walsh Jesuit, Wednesday vs. Villa Angela-St. Joseph, Friday at Massillon Jackson.
3. St. Edward (13-5)
Where they stand: Eagles coach Eric Flannery expressed disappointment in his team’s late-game execution, which came twice in overtime vs. St. Ignatius and on the road last month at STVM. Despite Friday’s loss, St. Edward remains third because of a 13-point win at fourth-ranked Lorain.
Last week: Ranked No. 3, beat Shaw, 79-33, on Feb. 7; lost to St. Ignatius, 75-72 in OT, on Feb. 10.
This week: Friday vs. JFK, Saturday at Central Catholic.
4. Lorain (16-2)
Where they stand: An eight-game win streak helped the Titans clinch the Lake Erie League with Saturday’s win vs. Shaw.
Last week: Ranked No. 4, beat Warrensville Heights, 82-47, on Feb. 10; beat Shaw, 93-48, on Feb. 11.
This week: Friday at Bedford, Saturday at North Ridgeville.
5. Archbishop Hoban (16-2)
Where they stand: Hoban quickly bounced back from that overtime loss at STVM behind Collen Gurley’s 30 points against Lake Catholic.
Last week: Ranked No. 5, lost to STVM, 59-57 in OT, on Feb. 7; beat Lake Catholic, 76-59, on Feb. 10.
This week: Tuesday at Canton Central Catholic, Friday vs. Padua.
6. Garfield Heights (15-4)
Where they stand: As point guard Marreon Jackson and Shawn Christian go, so will the Bulldogs. They combined for 36 points Friday to beat Lutheran East.
Last week: Ranked No. 6, beat Beachwood, 74-41, on Feb. 7; beat Lutheran East, 65-52, on Feb. 10.
This week: Tuesday vs. MLK.
7. Copley (18-0)
Where they stand: Copley wrapped up another Suburban League American Division crown. The Indians have been the area’s most consistent team despite massive turnover from last year’s 22-0 squad.
Last week: Ranked No. 7, beat Wadsworth, 69-60, on Feb. 7; beat Highland, on Feb. 10.
This week: Tuesday at Aurora, Friday vs. Kent Roosevelt.
8. Elyria (15-3)
Where they stand: Coach Brett Larrick’s Pioneers have won 10 of 11. Only a Keith Simmons last-second shot at Brunswick kept that from being 11 straight wins.
Last week: Ranked No. 9, beat Medina, 68-55, on Feb. 10.
This week: Tuesday vs. Strongsville, Friday at Mentor.
9. Cornerstone Christian (15-4)
Where they stand: Three of Cornerstone’s four losses are by six points or fewer. Consider them heavy favorites in Division IV.
Last week: Ranked No. 8, beat Gilmour, 80-70, on Feb. 10; beat Harvey, 88-55, on Feb. 11.
This week: Tuesday vs. Ashtabula Edgewood.
10. Benedictine (15-4)
Where they stand: Three of the Bengals’ four losses are in North Coast League play, which speaks of the league’s strength. Benedictine has bounced back from two straight losses with three straight wins by double digits.
Last week: Ranked No. 11, beat Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, 63-51, on Feb. 10; beat University School, 80-53, on Feb. 11.
This week: Friday vs. Lake Catholic.
11. Maple Heights (14-3)
Where they stand: There’s a new version of the Kardiac Kids in Northeast Ohio. Check Maple Heights’ comebacks this week against ranked foes. The Mustangs trailed both Brecksville and Cleveland Heights by double digits on the road.
Last week: Ranked No. 12, beat Brecksville, 64-63, on Feb. 7; beat Cleveland Heights, 85-84, on Feb. 10.
This week: Tuesday vs. Lutheran East, Friday at Shaw.
12. Villa Angela-St. Joseph (13-5)
Where they stand: Friday’s win against Warren JFK pulled the Vikings within a game of clinching the North Coast League White Division. They will be the top seed at Division III Garfield Heights, looking to win that district for a fifth straight year — going back to when it was Division IV (note the district and VASJ became Division III in 2014).
Last week: Ranked No. 14, beat Gilmour, 60-55, on Feb. 7; beat Warren JFK, 69-57, on Feb. 10.
This week: Wednesday at STVM, Friday vs. Trinity.
13. Central Catholic (12-6)
Where they stand: The highest risers in the rankings, Central Catholic moves up after Saturday’s 89-67 win against Holy Name. The statement followed a two-point win vs. No. 6 Garfield Heights two weeks ago at The Q. The Ironmen have played one of the area’s toughest schedules, and this month it has paid off.
Last week: Ranked No. 19, beat Trinity, 100-53, on Feb. 10; beat Holy Name, 89-67, on Feb. 11.
This week: Friday at Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas, Saturday vs. St. Edward.
14. Holy Name (16-3)
Where they stand: Coach Jeff Huber might want to throw away the film from Saturday’s loss to Central Catholic. The Green Wave’s only setbacks came against the Ironmen, Elyria Catholic and Benedictine.
Last week: Ranked No. 10, beat Parma, 94-46, on Feb. 7; beat Valley Forge, 74-50, on Feb. 10; lost to Central Catholic, 89-67 on Feb. 11.
This week: Friday at Normandy.
15. Solon (14-6)
Where they stand: A loss to the area’s top-ranked team isn’t enough to push down Solon. The defending Euclid District champs were voted the top seed in that Division I district.
Last week: Ranked No. 15, beat Euclid, 84-81, on Feb. 10; lost to St. Ignatius, 90-80, on Feb. 11.
This week: Friday at Strongsville.
16. Mentor (13-5)
Where they stand: Bob Krizancic’s Cardinals and Solon are first and second in Euclid, and it might be too close to call. Mentor won their first meeting, 77-70. Solon took the rematch, 75-73. Flip a coin. They might meet for the Euclid District crown a second straight year.
Last week: Ranked No. 16, beat Shaker Heights, 83-74, on Feb. 10; beat Glenville, 62-35, on Feb. 11.
This week: Friday vs. Elyria.
17. Ellet (16-3)
Where they stand: The Akron City Series title game vs. Buchtel awaits Friday.
Last week: Ranked No. 17, beat Akron North, 88-27 on Feb. 8; Massillon Washington, 81-75, on Feb. 10.
This week: Friday vs. Buchtel at Firestone, Saturday vs. Green.
18. Cleveland Heights (11-6)
Where they stand: The Tigers might be the most talented team in the Division I Euclid District, but they need a strong close to the regular season for some momentum. Jeremy Holmes’ bunch has lost five of their last nine.
Last week: Ranked No. 13, lost to Maple Heights, 85-84, on Feb. 10.
This week: Friday at Warrensville Heights.
19. Medina (15-5)
Where they stand: The Bees drop just one spot after a loss at Elyria in which senior guard Luke Schaefer reached 1,000 career points. They are still in the thick of the Greater Cleveland Conference race with Elyria and Mentor — and they also own two wins against Brunswick.
Last week: Ranked No. 18, lost to Elyria, 68-55, on Feb. 10.
This week: Friday at Shaker Heights.
20. Brunswick (14-6)
Where they stand: Brunswick has won seven of eight. Other than the Medina loss, the Blue Devils have knocked off GCC frontrunners Mentor, Elyria and Solon.
Last week: Ranked No. 20, beat Strongsville, 52-38, on Feb. 10.
This week: Friday vs. Euclid.
21. Elyria Catholic (13-5)
Where they stand: Phil Kuchta’s Panthers have quietly been one of the area’s hottest teams. They have won 10 of 11 — just like city counterpart Elyria — and their only loss is to those Pioneers.
Last week: Ranked No. 23, beat Rocky River, 70-45, on Feb. 7; beat Bay, 82-67, on Feb. 10.
This week: Tuesday vs. Bedford, Friday at Valley Forge, Saturday vs. University School.
22. Wadsworth (13-5)
Where they stand: A seven-game win streak ended vs. undefeated Copley. The Grizzles are one of the Suburban League’s hotter teams in the National Division, but they need a win against Brecksville and help to capture a division crown.
Last week: Ranked No. 21, lost to Copley, 69-60, on Feb. 7; beat Twinsburg, 57-51, on Feb. 10.
This week: Tuesday vs. Brecksville, Friday at Hudson.
23. Stow (13-4)
Where they stand: The juniors continue to carry the scoring load for Stow. Guard Coryon Rice had 27 on Tuesday against Barberton, and forward Mason McMurray had 20 in an 11-point win Friday vs. Hudson.
Last week: Ranked No. 22, beat Barberton, 78-60, on Feb. 7; beat Hudson, 49-38, on Feb. 10.
This week: Tuesday at Cuyahoga Falls, Friday at Brecksville.
24. East Tech (15-5)
Where they stand: Warrensville Heights gave East Tech a push earlier last week. This week brings a Division II test against Orange, which plays in the same Stow District, and one of Division IV’s best.
Last week: Ranked No. 25, beat Warrensville Heights, 53-50, on Feb. 8.
This week: Tuesday vs. Orange, Friday at Lutheran East.
25. Brecksville (14-4)
Where they stand: Just like last year, the Suburban League National Division crown will be decided by Brecksville. Last year’s champs get Wadsworth and Stow this week.
Last week: Ranked No. 24, lost to Maple Heights, 64-63, on Feb. 7; beat North Royalton, 62-32, on Feb. 10.
This week: Tuesday at Wadsworth, Friday vs. Stow.
IN CONTENTION
Buckeye (14-3), Brush (16-3), Clearview (15-3), Oberlin (14-4), Olmsted Falls (14-5), Woodridge (19-1).
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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