COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Rivalry night this past Friday was cancelled due to snow, which made this week's power rankings much different than what they might have been. The story last week was a battle between the top two teams, as Jerome Hunter's 48 points led Pickerington North over previously undefeated Dublin Coffman in three overtimes on the road.
Let's take a look at the top five.
1. Pickerington North
Record: 10-2 (4-0)
This Week: Friday vs. #8 Pickerington Central
Pickerington North has won nine-straight games. Included in that win streak is three-straight wins over previously undefeated teams in No. 2 Dublin Coffman, No. 2 (D2) Beechcroft and Cincinnati Princeton, who was No. 4 in the latest AP state poll. By all accounts, Pickerington North is the best team in Central Ohio with the best player in Jerome Hunter. The Panthers can wrap up a sweep over Pickerington Central at home on Friday, as well as further its lead in the OCC-Ohio.
2. Dublin Coffman
Record: 12-1 (4-0)
This Week: Friday vs. #14 Hilliard Davidson
Dublin Coffman came just 1.7 seconds away from taking down Pickerington North on Tuesday. However, the Panthers would force the game into triple overtime, taking down the Rocks in the seventh period of play. Dublin Coffman has five manageable games on the schedule in the next two weeks, with just one game against a ranked opponent. The Rocks should be able to go unblemished before a OCC-Central showdown against rival No. 4 Upper Arlington on Feb. 3.
3. Hilliard Bradley
Record: 9-1 (5-0)
This Week: Friday vs. Thomas Worthington
Hilliard Bradley had two games cancelled this past week, as the Jags will have a loaded back end of the schedule going forward. With only one game this week, Bradley will look to complete the sweep of Thomas Worthington on Friday, a team the Jags held to 16 points in the first matchup this season. Bradley has been one of the area's most elite teams on the defensive side of the ball, which should carry them the rest of the way.
4. Upper Arlington
Record: 10-1 (4-0)
This Week: Monday vs. Huber Heights Wayne, Friday vs. Central Crossing
Upper Arlington suffered an upset on the road at Olentangy on Tuesday, just a day after the Associated Press gave the Golden Bears the top ranking in the state. As Friday's matchup vs. Dublin Coffman was cancelled, the Golden Bears get the challenge of Huber Heights Wayne, the No. 2 team in the state according to the AP, on Monday in the nightcap of Flyin' to the Hoop in Dayton. Monday's matchup will determine if the Olentangy loss was a fluke, or a chink in the armor of Upper Arlington.
5. Gahanna
Record: 8-2 (3-1)
This Week: Tuesday vs. Worthington Kilbourne, Friday at #12 Reynoldsburg
Gahanna has been quietly putting together one of the best starts to the season of any team in Division I, winning six-straight games. With its only losses coming to No. 1 Pickerington Central and No. 7 Westerville South, Gahanna is still in the race in the OCC-Ohio, but will have to take care of business on the road at Reynoldsburg on Friday. The matchup vs. the Raiders will be key to determine if Gahanna is truly a top five caliber team or not.
1. #1 Pickerington North - 22 points
2. #7 Westerville South - 15 points
3. #9 Westerville Central - 10 points
4. #5 Gahanna - 9 points
5. #6 Westerville North - 8 points
5. #8 Pickerington Central - 8 points
5. NR Olentangy Liberty - 8 points
# | PRE | Team | Record | SOR Points | This Week |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | Pickerington North | 10-2 | 22 | vs. #8 Pickerington Central |
2 | 3 | Dublin Coffman | 12-1 | 4 | vs. #14 Hilliard Davidson |
3 | 5 | Hilliard Bradley | 9-1 | 3 | vs. Thomas Worthington |
4 | 2 | Upper Arlington | 10-1 | 6 | vs. Central Crossing |
5 | 8 | Gahanna | 9-2 | 9 | vs. Worthington Kilbourne, @ #12 Reynoldsburg |
6 | 9 | Westerville North | 10-2 | 8 | vs. Olentangy Orange, @ #10 Westerville Central |
7 | NR | Westerville South | 8-3 | 15 | @ #10 Olentangy, vs. #6 (D3) Johnstown |
8 | 4 | Pickerington Central | 6-4 | 8 | vs. McEachern (GA), @ #1 Pickerington North |
9 | 6 | Westerville Central | 9-2 | 10 | @ Thomas Worthington, vs. #6 Westerville North |
10 | 7 | Newark | 9-2 | 2 | @ Tri-Valley, vs. New Albany, vs. Canal Winchester |
11 | 13 | Olentangy | 7-4 | 7 | vs. #7 Westerville South |
12 | 10 | Reynoldsburg | 8-4 | 3 | vs. #5 Gahanna, @ Zanesville |
13 | 11 | Walnut Ridge | 6-4 | 5 | vs. Marion-Franklin, @ #2 (D2) Eastmoor, @ #3 (D2) South |
14 | 12 | Hilliard Davidson | 6-4 | 7 | @ Grove City, @ #2 Dublin Coffman, vs. Hilliard Darby |
15 | NR | Northland | 6-4 | 5 | vs. Centennial, @ Mifflin, vs. International |
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