McDonald boys 15th in AP poll

STAFF REPORT

Finally, McDonald High’s unbeaten season is starting to gain some attention around the state.

The Blue Devils, who are 15-0 this season, finally made their first appearance in the weekly Associated Press boys basketball poll, released Monday.

McDonald, which was voted the No. 1 seed on Sunday in the Struthers sectional tournament drawing, is 15th in Division IV, with 13 points.

New Knoxville (16-0) continues to hold down the top spot in the small-school division, followed by Berlin Hiland (16-0), South Charleston Southeastern (14-1), Oak Hill (13-2) and Cleveland Heights Lutheran East (13-2). Bedford Chanel (10-3), coached by former Girard standout Bernie Tarr, is No. 6, with Delphos St. John’s, Newark Catholic, Cincinnati Seven Hills and Dayton Jefferson rounding out the top 10.

Warren Harding (13-1) and Poland (11-4) continued to lead area schools in the poll.

The Raiders, who were No. 1 in Div. I last week before losing on Tuesday to Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, fell to No. 4 despite picking up three first-place votes.

Columbus Northland (15-1), which held the top spot until losing two weeks ago, returned to No. 1, followed by Cincinnati Princeton (14-1), Cleveland Glenville (13-0), Harding and Middletown (14-1). Cincinnati Moeller, Canton Timken, Barberton, Trotwood-Madison and Lima Senior round out the top 10.

Poland is 13th in Div. II with 17 points. St. Paris Graham (16-0) has led the poll every week and continued as an overwhelming choice, ahead of Circleville Logan Elm (14-1), Wilmington (15-1), Cincinnati Indian Hill (14-1) and SVSM (13-3). Cleveland Benedictine, Dover, Columbus DeSales, Dayton Marshall and Dayton Dunbar are ranked 6-10.

Smithville (16-0) continues to lead in Div. III, followed by Findlay Liberty-Benton (13-1), Casstown Miami East (13-1), Anna (15-2) and Ottawa-Glandorf (14-2). Rounding out the top 10 are St. Henry, Kirtland, Cleveland Central Catholic, Piketon and West Salem Northwestern.