MANSFIELD – There wasn’t much movement in this week’s Richland County Girls Basketball Power Poll, but that is all about to change.
It is the week before Christmas, and we are about to be treated to some early presents with impact games all over the county.
First, let’s run down this week’s power poll so we can get the juices flowing for a huge upcoming week.
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10. Lucas (0-4)
The Cubs took a 38-24 loss to Crestline in their only game since the last power poll as they continue to search for win No. 1. Emma Brown had eight points while Katie Griffey had seven so the youngsters are starting to gain some confidence and improve. That is all this season is about is making sure this young group stays together and learns how to compete at the varsity level. They host Loudonville on Thursday.
9. Crestview (1-5)
The Cougars took two tough losses since the last power poll falling to Wynford 61-26 before suffering a close loss to Monroeville 58-55. In the loss to Monroeville, Georgia McFarland had a nice game with 16 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter to help the Cougars mount a comeback. Elyse Belcher also had 11 and Makenzie Spoerr and Tori Kidney had nine apiece, so the Cougars are showing a lot of balance early on. That will be key down the stretch as they look to get back in the win column after five straight losses. They host New London on Saturday.
8. Madison (1-4)
The Rams dropped their two games since the last power poll falling to Mount Vernon 44-37 and Lexington 39-36 in Ohio Cardinal Conference play. Chloe Ebeling had nice games with 13 points against MV and an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double against Lexington. Madison is a team with veterans and youngsters trying to mesh, and it will take some time. There is still plenty of season left and hosting Ontario on Wednesday and traveling to Ashland on Saturday will be two games that can give them momentum.
7. Lexington (2-5)
Lexington had a roller coaster week going 1-1 since the last power poll. First, it was a 70-33 loss to Mansfield Senior before knocking off Madison 39-36 to cap off the week with a solid win. Makaree Chapman had 15 points in the loss to the Tygers before adding 13 more in the win over the Rams. Lex controlled the board with 11 rebounds from Tatum Stover and 10 from Ava Brown, who continues to work back into basketball shape after missing the first few games. Lady Lex hosts Clyde on Tuesday before heading to New Philadelphia on Saturday.
6. Ontario (3-4)
The Warriors had a tough week last week dropping a pair of key Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference games. First, it was a 72-50 loss to Pleasant before falling 48-45 to Marion Harding on Saturday. Ka’Mashya Shaw had 12 points on Saturday, and Taylor Counts added 10 as the Warriors put eight players in the scorebook. The two losses dropped the Warriors a couple of spots, but with two games against Richland County opponents this week, they have a chance to get right back in the mix. They travel to Madison on Wednesday and Shelby on Friday.
5. Plymouth (3-3)
The Big Red comes into this week’s Power Poll at 3-3 after suffering a 45-28 loss to New London on Saturday in their only game since the last power poll. Kendyll Tolbert has been playing well lately leading the Big Red with eight points in that game. Plymouth will try to get back on track on Thursday at home against Mapleton before going into the Christmas break.
4. Mansfield Christian (3-2)
The Flames went 1-1 since the last power poll falling to South Central in a very competitive game, 61-51, behind Kyleah Jones’s 27 points for one of the best games individually of her career. They then followed that up with a 61-21 win over Crestline to remain a game above .500 on the season. It was a nice response after a disappointing showing the previous week. They have an opportunity to keep the momentum going on Tuesday at St. Paul before breaking for Christmas.
3. Shelby (6-1)
The Whippets come into the week at 6-1 thanks to a very impressive 43-32 win over River Valley last week to remain perfect in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference. Eve Schwemley had a massive game with 24 points to nearly outscore the Vikings by herself. Shelby is going to need that kind of effort again from Schwemley this week when the Whippets travel to Clear Fork on Tuesday with first place in the league on the line. After that, the Whippets host Ontario on Friday for a chance to head into Christmas all alone in first in the league and maybe even the power poll.
2. Clear Fork (7-1)
The Colts continue to cruise after a 49-37 win over Marion Harding last week moved them to 7-1 on the season. Mel Blubaugh had a nice game with 17 points while Annika Labaki added 14 and Brinley Barnett had 10 to give the Colts plenty of balance. With a home game against Shelby on Tuesday and hosting Highland on Friday, the Colts have a chance to put themselves in prime position to compete for a league championship as calendar gets ready to flip. This might be the biggest week of the season for the Colts and a couple of wins could put that 23-point loss to Mansfield Senior in the rearview mirror.
1. Mansfield Senior (7-1)
Despite their first loss of the season, the Mansfield Senior Tygers remain in the No. 1 spot in the power poll again this week, but the margin is quickly diminishing. They lost to Perkins 57-46 on Tuesday night but still had some nice individual performances as Monetta Hilory had 10 points, Annaleise Norris had 11 and Juleah Windham scored 10. The Tygers quickly rebounded with a dominating 70-33 win over Lexington on Thursday as Windham went off for 24 points including six 3-pointers while Hilory had 17 and Kiersten Bradley scored 10. Then, on Saturday, the Tygers cruised to a 52-25 win over Mount Vernon as Kyeona Myers led the way with 12 points and Hilory added 11 so in their three games, the Tygers had three different leading scorers and five different players score in double-figures. They are going to need all of that and more this week when they travel to Smithville on Tuesday and West Holmes on Saturday.
jfurr@gannett.com
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Last Weeks Rankings
10. Lucas
9. Crestview
8. Madison
7. Lexington
6. Mansfield Christian
5. Plymouth
4. Ontario
3. Shelby
2. Clear Fork
1. Mansfield Senior
