[NaismithII]

Week #3 of D-I NW Ohio Boys Basketball Rankings:

1. Toledo Central Catholic (10-2): Not the best record and possibly not the best team, but who else deserves the No. 1 ranking for now? Going to Findlay Tuesday for a key game.

2. Toledo Whitmer (11-1): Panthers survive a 1-point win at Fremont Ross but the bottom line is another victory achieved. Tuesday night at St. John's is huge.

3. Toledo St. John's (8-4): Titans must adjust soon to their current lineup or the losses are going to pile up. A win over Whitmer Tuesday could turn the ship around.

4. Findlay (8-3): Why is Findlay here? Beat Central Catholic early and only other losses to Whitmer and St. John's. Play all three of these teams in the next 12 days.

5. Mansfield Senior (9-2): Starting to believe the Tygers are for real and could challenge the top teams in the district in March.

6. Norwalk (13-0): Truckers are a strong team. Don't see them losing in the regular season but don't see them beating any of the above either.

7. Anthony Wayne (9-3): Generals have just two OT losses and play a good schedule. Just tough for them to go higher in this division.

8. Toledo Rogers (8-3): Jury is still out on whether the Rams are strong enough to compete in D-I. This might be as high as they can go in the regular season.

9. Toledo Bowsher (8-4): Rebels deserve this spot but with games against Scott, Anthony Wayne and Rogers moving up will be a struggle.

10. Toledo Start (7-4): Spartans got a good win against Scott and slip into the 9th spot. Games against Rogers and Perrysburg yet to come.

Honorable Mention: Perrysburg (7-5); Sandusky (6-6); Maumee (7-7); Southview (5-8).

[Ross Ford81]

So Norwalk might go 20-0 and they could end up as low as 5th in the NW Ohio D-I Naismith poll? How would Norwalk do in the TRAC (the top four teams have to play each other twice)?

[gcg58]

Originally Posted by Ross Ford81

So Norwalk might go 20-0 and they could end up as low as 5th in the NW Ohio D-I Naismith poll? How would Norwalk do in the TRAC (the top four teams have to play each other twice)?

Norwalk wouldn't do as well that's for sure. They've essentially beaten everybody down this season. I don't think they'll beat any of those top 4 teams because TRAC ball is different animal all around and Norwalk may compete but I don't think they'd keep up with the pace of the top teams

[vbjeff66]

Findlay beats TCC 53-44

[NaismithII]

St. John's 58-50 over Whitmer. Whacky TRAC race -- is that 4 teams with 2 losses?

[vbjeff66]

Yes it is a 4 way tie at the top

[vbjeff66]

Was St John guard Austin Gardener back tonight?

[modaspana]

No, I was at game still had his cast on. Someone in stands said he could be back in 2 weeks, but that was just in the stands.

[Ross Ford81]

So what does Naismith do with Tuesday night's results? Who goes to No. 1? No. 2? Not easy. Still important games this weekend -- Findlay goes to Whitmer, St. John's travels to Fremont Ross and Central plays St. Francis at home.

[TolCentralCath]

Central Catholic better come to play Friday or they could get upset by the frannies. I saw Sf got their first win of their season tonight, right after they fired their coach!

[Ross Ford81]

Irish will win by around 18 or so. Should have lost the first time against St. Francis though.

[Lancer '65]

I Think that Central is as good as any of 4 or 5 teams in NW Ohio right now. parity seems to be running and not just in Division I. What an incredible season this has been and it's far from over.

[gcg58]

Originally Posted by TolCentralCath

Central Catholic better come to play Friday or they could get upset by the frannies. I saw Sf got their first win of their season tonight, right after they fired their coach!

Yeah but the Spartans have also been on an 8 game slide as well

[Ross Ford81]

What chance does Findlay have Friday night to beat Whitmer? Regardless, it looks like the TRAC title can't/won't be decided until the last night of the season.

[gcg58]

Originally Posted by Ross Ford81

What chance does Findlay have Friday nigth to beat Whitmer? Regardless, it looks like the TRAC title can't/won't be decided until the last night of the season.

They have a solid chance I think. Obviously Whitmer's size is a problem for Findlay but they have just not shot the ball well as of late and were really beaten up on the boards against SJJ. I like the Panthers at home but if they don't pick it up offensively they could easily be beaten by Findlay. Tough call on which game to attend but I'll be at Central tonight

[NaismithII]

What a difference from the last St. John's -Fremont Ross game. Titans win 54-50 -- last time it was 77-53 and not really that close. Whitmer dominated Findlay in the 2nd half to iwin easily, 52-36. Central rips St. Francis 65-28. The ''big 3" keep their status.