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Division I Power Rankings

By Zach Fleer, 01/09/23, 1:45PM EST

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A look at the latest power rankings in Division I

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- For the first time all year last week, we had a No. 1 go down in the area. In addition to that, we saw our No. 2 and No. 6 teams suffer defeats to unranked teams as well. Let's take a look at the latest top 15 in Division I basketball after a crazy week.

1. Olentangy Liberty (11-1)
Last Week: No. 3 | 65 strength of record points |  vs. #7 Dublin Jerome (8), vs. #3 Olentangy Orange (9)

The hottest team in D1, Olentangy Liberty has won 11-straight and sits alone atop the OCC-Central. The Patriots will be greatly tested this week with two home games against top competition. If they get out of this week sitting at 13-1, this team will officially be for real. 

2. Pickerington Central (8-4)
Last Week: No. 4 | 47 strength of record points | @ New Albany (5),  @ #15 Reynoldsburg (8)

The defending state champions have yet to lose in the area and will hit the road for two challenges this week. The Tigers will have to fight off the mid-January lulls that sometimes sneak up on teams. Central should be out for revenge when they take on Reynoldsburg, as the Raiders are riding high off knocking down previously unbeaten Pickerington North, while also defeating the Tigers the last time they played on the Reynoldsburg home floor.

3. Olentangy Orange (10-1)
Last Week: No. 1 | 65 strength of record points | vs. Thomas Worthington (3), @ #1 Olentangy Liberty (11), vs. Toledo Whitmer (8)

Olentangy Orange was a victim of a tremendous weekend for Hilliard Bradley, falling on Friday to become the final Division I team to be knocked off the ranks of the unbeaten. The Pioneers can get back on track in a major way this week with three games. Orange has a must-win game at rival Liberty on Friday that will help them stay in the race for the OCC-Central. A victory on the road would force a tie atop the division. 

4. Pickerington North (11-1)
Last Week: No. 2 | 50 strength of record points | @ #11 Newark (8), vs. #5 Gahanna Lincoln (9), vs. Dunbar (7)

Pickerington North entered last week at 9-0, but was humbled in a road loss to Reynoldsburg on Tuesday. They bounced back with quality wins over New Albany and Northland, and will have three major challenges on deck this week. A road visit to Newark would be enough for most weeks, but the home contest against No. 5 Gahanna Lincoln will decide first place in the OCC-Ohio, as both teams enter unbeaten in the league. Taking on Dayton Dunbar after those two work week games is another major challenge in of itself. 

5. Gahanna Lincoln (9-2)
Last Week: No. 5 | 44 strength of record points | vs. #15 Reynoldsburg (7), @ #4 Pickerington North (10), vs. Medina (7)

The Lions have not taken much of a step back from last year's regional final squad. While many in the area might've predicted this team to back slide, the young Lions have been outstanding through the first half of the year. They will get their toughest week of the season yet with three challenging games, with none more important than Friday's showdown at Pickerington North to decide first place in the OCC-Ohio. 

6. Hilliard Bradley (8-3)
Last Week: No. 15 | 45 strength of record points | @ Groveport Madison (4), @ Dublin Coffman (6)

Bradley had the best 24 hour period of basketball for any team in the area yet this season. On Friday, they held home court and handed No. 1 Olentangy Orange their first loss of the season, then came back the next day and knocked off No. 1 (D3) Africentric at Pickerington North. The Jags have won four-straight and have two more momentum building games on the road this week to add to their resume.

7. Dublin Jerome (8-3)
Last Week: No. 7 | 38 strength of record points | @ #1 Olentangy Liberty (11), vs. Hilliard Darby (6), vs. Lutheran East (10)

Jerome has flown under the radar the last few weeks, but will be on the bright stage this week with three tough matchups. The Celtics will hit the road to take on No. 1 Olentangy Liberty on Tuesday in a major game for district tournament seeding next month. Then they'll end the week with a home game against tough Hilliard Darby before taking on state power Lutheran East on Sunday. This is the perfect opportunity for the Celtics to once again stake their claim among the elite of the elite in D1.

8. South (10-1)
Last Week: No. 12 | 30 strength of record points | vs. #1 (D3) Africentric (9), vs. West (1), vs. Wilmington (4)

South is quietly putting together an outstanding season with just one loss on its resume through the first half of the year. The Bulldogs were without their best player in that loss, as they'll officially be able to put the area on notice this week. Tuesday's home game against Africentric is the program's biggest in a few years, as South will have the chance to take complete control of the City League South division. 

9. Westerville Central (6-4)
Last Week: NR | 36 strength of record points | @ Hilliard Darby (7), vs. New Albany (4), vs. St. Charles (6)

Welcome back to the top 10, Westerville Central! The Warhawks rule the 'Ville this year, with two of their last three wins coming against rivals North and South. Last week's win over North, who came in at No. 6, is huge for Central's momentum as they enter a loaded week with three winnable games. We want to see if this team can be consistent enough to stay in the top 10.

10. Westerville North (9-2)
Last Week: No. 6 | 36 strength of record points | @ Worthington Kilbourne (4), vs. Dublin Scioto (4)

Westerville North suffered their second defeat of the season at the hands of rival Central. The Warriors, in terms of talent, are as good as anyone, and will be a factor come district final time. They have two favorable league games this week to regain some momentum. 

11. Newark (9-3)
Last Week: No. 8 | 42 strength of record points | vs. #4 Pickerington North (9), @ Lancaster (5), vs. Trotwood Madison (4)

12. Westerville South (8-3)
Last Week: No. 10 | 42 strength of record points | @ Franklin Heights (2), vs. Worthington Kilbourne (3)

13. Olentangy Berlin (8-3)
Last Week: No. 9 | 35 strength of record points | @ Upper Arlington (5), @ Thomas Worthington (4), vs. Mount Vernon (4)

14. Delaware Hayes (8-3)
Last Week: No. 11 | 46 strength of record points | @ Canal Winchester (3), vs. Franklin Heights (1)

15. Reynoldsburg (6-4)
Last Week: NR | 28 strength of record points | @ #5 Gahanna Lincoln (10, vs. #2 Pickerington Central (10)

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