COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio Dominican was host to a Division I proving ground in Central Ohio this past Saturday. With the majority of the top 10 teams in the area squaring off, spectators got a preview of what the district finals are going to look like. By taking down Westerville South, Newark ascended to the No. 1 ranking for the first time this season, as the Wildcats are the lone undefeated in Division I. 

Let's take a look at the top 25 in the area.

Record: 17-0

Ranked Wins: 8

Last Week: Defeated #15 Olentangy Liberty, 71-67. Defeated #22 New Albany, 59-41. Defeated #4 Westerville South, 55-53.

This Week: Friday vs. Franklin Heights, Saturday at #2 Pickerington Central

Outlook: Newark had a very impressive week last week, winning three games away from home against ranked competition. The Wildcats staked their claim for the top spot in the area by taking down No. 4 Westerville South on Saturday, holding tight to remain undefeated. Newark to wrap up the top-overall seed in the Central District tournament on Saturday against No. 2 Pickerington Central on the road. A win over the Tigers would put the Wildcats at 19-0 on the season with a fairly navigable three-game stretch to end the regular season. 

Record: 15-2

Ranked Wins: 9

Last Week: Lost at #22 New Albany, 51-45. Defeated #10 Pickerington North, 64-59. Defeated #3 Northland, 58-43.

This Week: Friday at #25 Lancaster, Saturday vs. #1 Newark

Outlook: Pickerington Central had an up and down week last week, highlighted by an absolutely shocking upset at New Albany on Tuesday. In arguably the biggest upset that we have seen since we started covering the game, Pickerington Central fell to the hands of a team that was 6-8 coming into the matchup. The Tigers quickly responded, however, taking down No. 10 Pickerington North and No. 3 Northland in back-to-back nights. The Tigers can regain its top spot on Saturday vs. No. 1 Newark. 

Record: 16-1

Ranked Wins: 6

Last Week: Defeated Worthington Kilbourne, 64-35. Defeated #7 St. Charles, 44-41. 

This Week: Friday at #20 Delaware

Outlook: Hilliard Bradley continued its 15-game winning streak by grinding out No. 7 St. Charles on Saturday at Ohio Dominican. The Jaguars, who do not feature a senior in its top six of the rotation, have a realistic chance to finish the season at 21-1 and lock in a top three seed in the district tournament. A road test at Delaware awaits on Friday, as the Pacers always have a unique environment which can be a tough place to play. Hilliard Bradley is getting hot at the right moment, as its young rotation looks ready for a deep run. 

Record: 14-3

Ranked Wins: 9

Last Week: Defeated Central Crossing, 64-62. Defeated #14 Gahanna, 56-43.

This Week: Friday vs. #15 Grove City

Outlook: Reynoldsburg continued its breakout season this past week with wins over Central Crossing and No. 14 Gahanna. The Raiders avoided disaster against Central Crossing, overcoming a double-digit fourth quarter deficit to win in regulation. Reynoldsburg followed that up with a season sweep of Gahanna on the road three days later. Four of the Raiders' remaining five games are against ranked opponents, however, Reynoldsburg can really make a statement at home against No. 2 Pickerington Central a week from Tuesday. 

Record: 14-2

Ranked Wins: 5

Last Week: Defeated #4 Westerville South, 68-67. Defeated Central Crossing, 62-50. 

This Week: Tuesday vs. Chillicothe, Friday vs. #14 Hilliard Davidson

Outlook: Upper Arlington made a statement on Tuesday, taking down No. 4 Westerville South in a game for the ages at home. The Golden Bears avoided a let down days later, cruising past Central Crossing on the road. Tied atop the OCC-Central with Dublin Coffman, Upper Arlington will look to wrap up a division title in the next five games, as the Golden Bears control its own destiny in the league. Watch out for Friday's matchup against No. 14 Hilliard Davidson, as the Wildcats are playing great ball at the moment and are very good at making teams uncomfortable and forcing them to play at a slow pace. 

6. Northland (3)

Record: 14-2

Ranked Wins: 1

Last Week: Defeated Whetstone, 61-46. Defeated Centennial, 74-49. Lost vs. #1 Pickerington Central, 58-43.

This Week: Tuesday at Linden, Friday vs. International 

Outlook: Northland did not cash in on a chance to make a statement and secure the top ranking in Central Ohio on Saturday at ODU against Pickerington Central. However, while the Vikings may be a little deflated following the loss, Northland still has a City League title to wrap up. Four of the Vikings' next five games are against City North teams that Northland is more talented than. A final tune up at home against Springfield on Feb. 11 will prepare Northland for what looks like a City Championship against undefeated South on Feb. 18. Northland will have plenty of chances to build momentum heading into what the Vikings hope is a district title run. 

7. Westerville South (4)

Record: 12-5

Ranked Wins: 4

Last Week: Lost at #8 Upper Arlington, 68-67. Defeated Olentangy, 75-60. Lost vs. #2 Newark, 55-53.

This Week: Friday at #13 Olentangy Liberty

Outlook: Westerville South falls to its lowest ranking in two years after dropping two of three games this past week. A cause for concern for the Wildcats is an 0-4 record this season against top 10 teams in Central Ohio. However, in those four losses, Westerville South has lost by a combined 10 points, and had a chance to win nearly all of them. If the Wildcats can get solid production out of its supporting cast, South will have every chance to make another run to a regional title. Kaleb Wesson is good enough to drag the Wildcats that far. It will be up to his teammates to decide if they want to help him get there. 

8. Groveport (9)

Record: 15-3

Ranked Wins: 5

Last Week: Defeated #25 Lancaster, 55-46. Defeated Franklin Heights, 67-24.

This Week: Friday at #21 Canal Winchester

Outlook: Groveport is quietly having its best season in more than a decade, as the Cruisers are out to 15-3 without a ton of headlines. Still only a game back of Newark in the OCC-Capital, Groveport will have a chance to force a tie for a division title at home on Feb. 10. Three of Groveport's next four games are winnable, as the Cruisers will have every chance to win a share of an OCC title for the first time since 2005. 

9. St. Charles (7)

Record: 13-2

Ranked Wins: 2

Last Week: Defeated #5 (D4) Bishop Ready, 51-40. Lost vs. #5 Hilliard Bradley, 44-41.

This Week: Tuesday at #2 (D2) Fairfield Union, Saturday vs. #5 (D2) Bloom-Carroll

Outlook: St. Charles lost its first game since opening night on Saturday vs. Hilliard Bradley, as the Jags simply out shot them in the second half. With no more games remaining against Division I opponents, St. Charles still has a tough ahead, playing four of the top five Division II teams in the area in the next six games. A 19-2 finish for St. Charles would be the best case scenario for a team whose only Division I wins are against Olentangy Orange and Watkins Memorial. 

10. Dublin Jerome (11)

Record: 14-3

Ranked Wins: 4

Last Week: Defeated Logan, 52-49. Defeated Thomas Worthington, 47-43.

This Week: Tuesday vs. Mansfield Senior, Friday vs. Hilliard Darby

Outlook: Much like Groveport, Dublin Jerome is a team that has quietly built an impressive record at 14-3. Still only a game back of No. 3 Hilliard Bradley in the OCC-Cardinal, Jerome will have a chance to force a tie in the division on Feb. 7 on the road. With ranked matchups in its last three games, the Celtics will have to go on the road twice to finish strong on the season. Despite being 14-3, Jerome really doesn't have a signature win over an elite team, however, that all can change against Hilliard Bradley on Feb. 7.

11. Pickerington North (10)

Record: 12-6

Ranked Wins: 7

Last Week: Defeated #19 Canal Winchester, 67-51. Lost at #1 Pickerington Central, 64-59. 

This Week: Friday vs. #12 Gahanna

12. Gahanna (13)

Record: 10-7

Ranked Wins: 3

Last Week: Defeated Westerville Central, 48-47. Lost vs. #6 Reynoldsburg, 56-43. Defeated #12 Westerville North, 75-60.

This Week: Friday at #11 Pickerington North, Saturday vs. Dayton Northridge

13. Olentangy Liberty (15)

Record: 12-5

Ranked Wins: 3

Last Week: Lost vs. #2 Newark, 71-67. Defeated #24 Olentangy Orange, 60-50. 

This Week: Friday vs. #7 Westerville South

14. Hilliard Davidson (16)

Record: 12-5

Ranked Wins: 5

Last Week: Lost at Olentangy, 61-58. Defeated #13 Dublin Coffman, 49-36. Defeated Thomas Worthington, 52-34. 

This Week: Friday at #5 Upper Arlington

15. Grove City (18)

Record: 10-8

Ranked Wins: 4

Last Week: Defeated Westland, 93-63. Defeated #25 Lancaster, 59-55. 

This Week: Friday at #4 Reynoldsburg

16. Dublin Scioto (21)

Record: 10-6

Ranked Wins: 4

Last Week: Defeated Hilliard Darby, 53-41. Defeated #17 Delaware Hayes, 50-48. Defeated Marion Harding, 52-46.

This Week: Tuesday at Franklin Heights, Friday at Worthington Kilbourne

17. Westerville North (12)

Record: 11-6

Ranked Wins: 6

Last Week: Defeated #13 Dublin Coffman, 81-71. Lost vs. Westerville Central, 64-62. Lost vs. #14 Gahanna, 75-60.

This Week: Friday at Olentangy

18. New Albany (22)

Record: 7-9

Ranked Wins: 2

Last Week: Defeated #1 Pickerington Central, 51-45. Lost vs. #2 Newark, 59-41. 

This Week: Friday at Big Walnut, Saturday at Logan

19. Dublin Coffman (13)

Record: 8-8

Ranked Wins: 5

Last Week: Lost vs. #12 Westerville North, 81-71. Lost at #16 Hilliard Davidson, 49-36. Lost vs. #5 (D2) Eastmoor, 57-51. 

This Week: Friday vs. Westland

20. Delaware Hayes (17)

Record: 10-8

Ranked Wins: 2

Last Week: Lost at Thomas Worthington, 48-41. Lost at #21 Dublin Scioto, 50-48.

This Week: Tuesday vs. Marion-Harding, Friday vs. #3 Hilliard Bradley

21. Canal Winchester (10-7)

22. Mifflin (9-8)

23. Olentangy Orange (7-9)

24. Thomas Worthington (7-10)

25. Lancaster (7-10)