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Power Rankings: New No. 1 in Division I, II AND III?!

By Zach Fleer, 01/11/22, 12:15PM EST

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A look at the latest power rankings in Central Ohio basketball

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- We are entering the thick of the season when top teams clash, division races take hold and the elite start rising above the non-elite. Power rankings are back in Central Ohio, as we have a new No. 1 team in D1, D2 AND D3!

Let's get into the action. Make sure to subscribe to the 270 Hoops All-Access Pass to access the complete rankings, included with strength of record, strength of schedule and RPI metrics for every ranked team.

Division I

  1. Pickerington Central (9-1): Almost exactly six years ago, Pickerington Central and Gahanna met as two of the area’s top teams. And much like the last battle of this sort, the road underdog pulled the stunner to move into first place, as the Tigers now are the top-ranked team in Central Ohio, after defeating the Lions 58-53 on Saturday. The week ahead will definitely keep Pickerington Central focused, as a home date with rival Reynoldsburg and a trip to Flyin’ to the Hoop versus Garfield Heights looms on the horizon.
     
  2. Gahanna Lincoln (9-2): Losses in two of their last three games won’t deter the Lions, who fell to above-mentioned Pickerington Central on Saturday after the tight loss to Akron SVSM on Jan. 2. Now, to get back on track, another top-five matchup is almost ready with No. 4 Pickerington North on Friday before going to FTTH to face Brush on Sunday.
     
  3. Westerville South (10-0): The Wildcats are the area’s only remaining unbeaten in Division I at a perfect 10-0 clip, and narrowly avoided disaster on Saturday with a 58-54 win over Westerville Central. League opponents Franklin Heights and Worthington Kilbourne are up next for the ‘Cats, before another top-ten date is primed for next week.

Subscribe to the 270 Hoops All-Access Pass to access the complete rankings, included with a full breakdown, strength of record, strength of schedule and RPI metrics for every ranked team.

Subscribers, access the full power rankings here and check back each week for updated rankings with breakdowns included!

Division II

  1. Bloom-Carroll (11-1): There’s a new No. 1, and they hail from Route 33. No, it’s not Pickerington Central this time, but rather Bloom-Carroll, winners of four straight. The Bulldogs will have a pair of road games this week as the top-ranked team in Division II, traveling to Fairfield Union and Circleville. Senior Evan Dozer is the early candidate for Division II Player of the Year, scoring 81 points and pulling down 25 rebounds in three wins last week.
     
  2. Beechcroft (6-2): After winning six in a row, the Cougars streak was stopped on Saturday as (#8 D1) Hilliard Bradley put down the clamps and held them to just 46 points, their lowest output of the year by 32 points. Now, they must bounce back quickly as they host Northland on Tuesday, before heading to Centennial on Friday.
     
  3. Linden-McKinley (7-4): The Panthers started the 2022 calendar year with a big 57-54 win over Northland, their first of four road games to start January. Three more road trips loom this week, traveling to Whetstone (Tuesday), Mifflin (Friday) and Bloom-Carroll next Monday, which could help the Panthers earn the No. 1 ranking.

Subscribe to the 270 Hoops All-Access Pass to access the complete rankings, included with a full breakdown, strength of record, strength of schedule and RPI metrics for every ranked team.

Subscribers, access the full power rankings here and check back each week for updated rankings with breakdowns included!

Division III

  1. Africentric (6-2): The Nubians return to No. 1 after notching the best win that any Division III team will get this year when they outdueled Ajay Sheldon and Dublin Coffman, a night after the Rocks handed Upper Arlington their first loss. The duo of Dailyn Swain and Dan Wagner are the best in Division III and will be a force for anyone to deal with. Africentric could match their strength of record points just this week with games against No. 6 (D2) Eastmoor Academy, Walnut Ridge and Oakwood. No team in Division III will have a tougher week than this - which makes sense considering Africentric has the No. 1 strength of schedule in Ohio.
     
  2. Bishop Ready (7-2): The Silver Knights took their first loss in nearly a month at the hands of Bishop Watterson in overtime on Friday. Ready will look to get back on track with two winnable games against Wellington and Bishop Hartley, before a neutral site showdown against Springfield Shawnee on Sunday.
     
  3. Worthington Christian (8-4): Don't look now, but Worthington Christian is rounding back into shape. The Warriors may have had a rough start to the year, but they're playing better than ever right now and can keep that momentum rolling with two ranked matchups against No. 6 Columbus Academy and No. 10 (D2) Bexley this week. 

Subscribe to the 270 Hoops All-Access Pass to access the complete rankings, included with a full breakdown, strength of record, strength of schedule and RPI metrics for every ranked team.

Subscribers, access the full power rankings here and check back each week for updated rankings with breakdowns included!

Division IV

  1. Grandview Heights (9-2): The Bobcats picked up a quality win over Tree of Life last week before being blasted by Whitehall. Grandview will look to pick up two wins in a difficult slate, traveling to both No. 4 (D2) Buckeye Valley and Marion Local.

  2. East Knox (8-3): The Bulldogs are putting together a high quality season and will look to keep it rolling this week with home league games against Mount Gilead and Northmor. Senior guard Shane Knepp is the early candidate for Division IV Player of the Year.

  3. Newark Catholic (3-5): Newark Catholic has faced the second toughest schedule in the state and it will get no easier this week with road tests at No. 9 (D3) Johnstown and No. 10 (D3) Northridge. Going 1-1 in this slate would really help the Green Wave rise up the strength of record rankings.

Subscribe to the 270 Hoops All-Access Pass to access the complete rankings, included with a full breakdown, strength of record, strength of schedule and RPI metrics for every ranked team.

Subscribers, access the full power rankings here and check back each week for updated rankings with breakdowns included!

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