For the first time since the opening weeks of 2021, Moeller High School's basketball team is back in the driver's seat at No. 1 in the Ohio Associated Press Division I basketball poll.
The Crusaders had a solid weekend defeating Elder Friday night to clinch at least a share of the Greater Catholic League-South. Then, the next morning, they boarded a bus and took down Canton McKinley later that afternoon in front of legendary former Moeller football coach Gerry Faust.
Moeller picks up the top seed in the OHSAA tournament and will start off against Little Miami Feb. 20 at 3 p.m. at Lakota West High School. The Crusaders have won or shared the last eight GCL-South titles and can win it outright for the fifth consecutive year with a home win over St. Xavier Friday night.
That may not be the easiest game as St. Xavier comes in ranked No. 3 this week. The Bombers have lost only to Elder on the road and a home game to Moeller Jan. 22.
The GCL-South still has a pack at the top of the polls with Elder at No. 4. The Panthers are at Purcell Marian Tuesday, then need a win at home over La Salle and a Moeller loss to St. Xavier to clinch a share of the league title, which would be their first since 2016.
In Division II, Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference champ Woodward is at No. 9. The Bulldogs wrap up the regular season at Withrow Wednesday night, then at Miamisburg Friday night. Ross stays in the poll at No. 10. The 17-3 Rams just lost to Division I Hamilton in overtime and will play at Monroe Tuesday night. Picking up Division II votes right behind Ross is McNicholas who actually was seeded No. 1 in Southwest Ohio Division II in the tournament. Indian Hill, whose only loss has been to Northern Kentucky power Covington Catholic also received votes.
In Division III, Taft is at No. 9. The Senators were also seeded No. 1 in Southwest Ohio for the tournament by area coaches. Taft finishes the regular season Friday at Withrow. Summit Country Day also received votes. Coach Ryan Fleming's Silver Knights have a home showdown with Cincinnati College Prep Tuesday.
Speaking of CCPA, in Division IV, they're at No. 7 with just one loss going into the game Tuesday night in Hyde Park with Summit.
DIVISION I
1, Moeller (17)
2, Mentor (4)
3, St. Xavier
4, Elder
5, Lakewood St. Edward
6, Can. McKinley
7, Hilliard Bradley
7, Gahanna Lincoln
9, Centerville (1)
10, Massillon Jackson
(tie) Westerville Cent.
Others receiving 12 or more points: Lima Sr. 22. Cle. St. Ignatius 20. Huber Hts. Wayne 18. Thomas Worthington 17.
DIVISION II
1, Akr. SVSM (15)
2, Lima Shawnee (2)
3, Tipp City Tippecanoe (3)
4, Rossford (1)
5, Plain City Jonathan Alder (1)
6, Akr. Buchtel
7, Struthers
8, Vincent Warren
9, Woodward
10, Ross
Others receiving 12 or more points: McNicholas 35.Warrensville Hts. 24. Indian Hill 22. Circleville Logan Elm 17. Trotwood-Madison 13. Waverly 13.
DIVISION III
1, Worthington Christian (13)
2, Cle. Hts. Lutheran E. (3)
3, N. Robinson Col. Crawford (1)
4, Canal Winchester Harvest Prep (2)
5, Sardinia Eastern (1)
6, Fredericktown
7, Beverly Ft. Frye
8, Ottawa-Glandorf
9, Taft
10, Wheelersburg
Others receiving 12 or more points: 11, Proctorville Fairland 27. 11, Jamestown Greeneview (1) 27. 13, Collins Western Reserve 19. 14, Richwood N. Union (1) 18. 15, Spring. Shawnee 14. 16, Summit Country Day 13.
DIVISION IV
1, Antwerp
2, New Madison Tri-Village (4)
3, New Boston Glenwood (10)
4, Ottoville (1)
5, McDonald (1)
6, Columbus Grove (1)
7, Cincinnati College Prep
8, Botkins (1)
9, Richmond Hts. (3)
10, Cedarville (1) 15-1 44
Others receiving 12 or more points: Tol. Christian 35. Malvern 25. Glouster Trimble 17. Minster 13.
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