COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Pickerington North avoided near disaster on Friday at home vs. Pickerington Central, overcoming a nine-point fourth quarter deficit to take down the Tigers. Distancing itself from the rest of Division I, the Panthers have faced the toughest schedule out of anyone, leading the area in strength of record points through 13 games. Let's take a look at the rest of the area.

1. Pickerington North

Record: 11-2 (5-0)

This Week: Tuesday vs. Groveport, Friday at #5 Gahanna, Sunday vs. Shaker Heights

Pickerington North has gone undefeated against all area opponents this season, taking down No. 2 Dublin Coffman, No. 5 Gahanna, No. 9 Pickerington Central (twice), No. 12 Reynoldsburg and No. 1 (D2) Beechcroft. There is honestly no reason why this team should not be ranked among the top two in the state. With 25 strength of record points, Pickerington North has distanced itself from every other competitor in the area. The Panthers can secure a share of the OCC-Ohio league title on Friday at No. 5 Gahanna, who is one game behind North in the division. Sunday's matchup vs. Shaker Heights in the Dunk for Diabetes showcase at John Carroll will be a tough one, as the Panthers take on arguably the state's best scorer in Christian Guess.

2. Dublin Coffman

Record: 13-1 (5-0)

This Week: Tuesday at Olentangy Orange, Friday at Westland, Saturday vs. #13 Olentangy Liberty

Still undefeated in the OCC-Central, Dublin Coffman has yet to take on Upper Arlington, as that matchup was pushed back to Feb. 3. With a fairly manageable slate this week, the Rocks' toughest challenge will come on Saturday against No. 13 Olentangy Liberty. A dangerous offensive unit that can put up points in a hurry, Dublin Coffman is a few seconds away from being undefeated with a win over Pickerington North. Don't sleep on the Rocks in Division I. 

3. Hilliard Bradley

Record: 10-1 (6-0)

This Week: Tuesday at Worthington Kilbourne, Saturday vs. #9 Pickerington Central

Taking care of business last week with league wins over Dublin Scioto and Thomas Worthington, Bradley will look to keep rolling on Tuesday at Worthington Kilbourne. The real test for the Jags will come on Saturday against a Pickerington Central team hungry for revenge after dropping a tough one at Pickerington North last Friday. Two teams missing their top ball handlers in Braden Norris and Jeremiah Francis, Bradley and Pickerington Central will be a test for two teams who are a bit unproven still without their best guards.

4. Upper Arlington

Record: 11-1 (5-0)

This Week: Tuesday vs. #6 Westerville North, Friday at Hilliard Davidson, Saturday vs. #2 (D2) Eastmoor

Cruising at 11-1, Upper Arlington heads into its toughest week yet. Hosting No. 6 Westerville North on Tuesday, the Golden Bears will face the best backcourt that it has seen all year long against the Warriors. UA nearly lost its first game of the season against a talented lead guard in Tre Baumgardner and Africentric before losing to Sean Marks and Olentangy just a few days later. That type of situation awaits, as Westerville North will give the Golden Bears a great challenge on the perimeter. UA will then travel to Hilliard Davidson on Friday for a league test that will not be easy before taking on No. 2 (D2) Eastmoor on Saturday. Eastmoor will be the longest and most athletic team that Upper Arlington has faced all season. Upper Arlington can pick up some major strength of record points this week with the matchups that await.

5. Gahanna

Record: 11-2 (4-1)

This Week: Tuesday at New Albany, Friday vs. #1 Pickerington North, Saturday vs. #5 (D3) Africentric

Winners of eight-straight games, Gahanna is one of the hottest teams in the entire state. One game behind Pickerington North in the OCC-Ohio, Gahanna will get a chance for revenge on Friday. As the Panthers completely shut down the Lions the first time around, Gahanna will need a much better offensive showing against a North team that is better than it was in December. Just 14 hours after its matchup with North is over, Gahanna will tip off against a talented Africentric team that came one possession away from taking down Upper Arlington.