COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In what could be pound for pound the most quality division in the area all things considered, Division III's tournament picture is slowly beginning to take shape. Harvest Prep started that process on Saturday by sweeping Wellington on the road.
Let's take a look at the rest of the division here.
1. Harvest Prep
Record: 11-0 (6-0)
This Week: Monday vs. Millersport, Tuesday at Chillicothe, Thursday at #1 (D4) Fisher Catholic, Friday vs. Fairfield Christian
Harvest Prep made its mark on the division on Saturday by taking down No. 3 Wellington on its home floor. Taking full control of the MSL-Cardinal division, Harvest Prep now faces four games in five days, as inclement weather pushed back league games against Millersport and Fisher Catholic to Monday and Thursday, respectively. This might be Harvest Prep's best team in the last five years, as the Warriors have a great mix of physical guard play, sharp shooting wings and the athletic CJ Penha in the middle that makes this team go. There is a strong chance this team will be 22-0 heading into the district tournament.
2. Bishop Ready
Record: 12-0 (4-0)
This Week: Tuesday at #3 Wellington, Wednesday at Liberty Union, Friday vs. #4 (D2) Bishop Hartley
One of four remaining undefeated teams in Division III, Bishop Ready will get its toughest challenge on Tuesday at Wellington. Ranked at No. 1 in the state by the Associated Press, the Silver Knights are one spot ahead of Harvest Prep. Tuesday's test against a hungry Jags team that is not looking to drop its second-straight game will be a true test of the AP's ranking. Ready will then have to take on a competitive Liberty Union team on Wednesday before hosting No. 4 (D2) Bishop Hartley on Friday in a game that will have huge implications in the Central Catholic League.
3. Wellington
Record: 9-4 (5-2)
This Week: Tuesday vs. #2 Bishop Ready, Friday at Grove City Christian
Leading by eight points in the first quarter against Harvest Prep, Wellington had its chances to upset the top-ranked Warriors. The Jags will have a chance to hand another team its first loss as Bishop Ready comes calling on Tuesday. Wellington is favored in this one due to its size and athleticism advantage, which will make Tuesday's matchup a big one in determining the top seeds in the district tournament going forward. Wellington has a great chance to go undefeated for the rest of the season if it can get past Bishop Ready on Tuesday.
4. Northmor
Record: 12-0 (8-0)
This Week: Tuesday at Galion, Friday vs. Cardington, Saturday at Mansfield St. Peter's
As the rest of the Columbus area becomes more familiar with Northmor, the Golden Knights can expect a bigger target on its back than in recent years. Undefeated and rolling at 12-0, Northmor will not travel far this week, as it heads to non-league Galion on Tuesday before hosting KMAC opponent Cardington on Friday. Northmor will get its biggest test of the season on the road at Mansfield St. Peter's on Saturday, who is 15-0 and ranked No.4 in Division IV by the AP.
5. Africentric
Record: 8-4 (5-2)
This Week: Tuesday vs. Independence, Wednesday vs. #3 (D2) South, Friday at West, Saturday vs. #5 (D1) Gahanna
With the toughest schedule of any team in Division III this week, Africentric will have its work cut out for them in the form of four games in five days. Three league games await, as the Nubians host Independence and South on Tuesday and Wednesday. Sitting one game back behind South in the City League, Africentric is looking to make a statement at home vs. the Bulldogs. On Saturday, Africentric will take on No. 5 (D1) Gahanna at Ohio Dominican, as the Lions come in at 11-2 with eight-straight wins.
# | PRE | Team | Record | SOR Points | This Week |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | Harvest Prep | 11-0 | 11 | @ Millersport, vs. Chillicothe, @ #1 (D4) Fisher Catholic, vs. Fairfield Christian |
2 | 2 | Bishop Ready | 12-0 | 8 | @ #3 Wellington, @ Liberty Union, vs. #4 (D2) Bishop Hartley |
3 | 3 | Wellington | 9-4 | 18.5 | vs. #2 Bishop Ready, @ Grove City Christian |
4 | 4 | Northmor | 12-0 | @ Galion, vs. Cardington, @ Mansfield St. Peter's | |
5 | 5 | Africentric | 8-4 | 3 | vs. Independence, vs. #3 (D2) South, @ West, vs. #5 (D1) Gahanna |
6 | 7 | Columbus Academy | 12-0 | 2 | @ Centerburg, vs, Worthington Christian |
7 | 6 | Johnstown | 9-4 | 12 | @ Licking Heights, @ Northridge |
8 | 8 | Grandview Heights | 9-3 | 5 | vs. London, vs. #7 (D2) Bexley, @ Washington Court House |
9 | 9 | Pleasant | 11-2 | 1 | vs. Clear Fork, @ North Union, @ Ontario |
10 | NR | Amanda Clearcreek | 6-5 | 2 | @ Huntington, vs. Bloom-Carroll |
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