Ohio high school boys basketball rankings: Stark County-area 2024-25 midseason power poll

Posted by author January 20, 2025 Basketball

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With most Stark County-area teams at or just past the halfway point of the 2024-25 Ohio high school boys basketball season, it’s a good time to take a snapshot of the local basketball scene power-poll style.

We will divide the area teams into two groups: A big-school group for Divisions I-III and a small-school group for Divisions IV-VII. Let’s see how the teams stack up.

Greater Canton Boys Basketball Power Poll: Divisions I, II and III

1, Canton McKinley Bulldogs (11-2)

The Federal League-leading Bulldogs are long, athletic and disciplined with a variety players who can score. McKinley owns the area’s signature performance so far this season, winning 87-78 at Jackson on Jan. 11. The Bulldogs, in head coach Sean Weatherspoon’s second season, will be a handful in Division I.

2, Louisville Leopards (9-4)

The Leopards are a difficult team to evaluate due to a brutal schedule and the absence of Brayden Gross to an injury for a lengthy stretch. With Gross now back to join point guard Beau Siegfried and an experienced nucleus, Louisville is a legitimate contender for state in Division III. The Leopards just downed defending D2 state champion Kettering Alter in overtime over the weekend and will host St. Edward on Friday.

3, Jackson Polar Bears (9-3)

Not the biggest team in the area but probably the most skilled, the Division I Polar Bears play a beautiful brand of basketball and typically have five players on the floor at the same time who can score and make plays. A returning district champion and two-time reigning league champion, Jackson will be a factor on both fronts as the season progresses.

4, Massillon Tigers (7-3)

In football-crazed Massillon, the Division II Tigers can play some basketball, too. Senior Chris Knight leads a deep and athletic group that owns a win against Mentor among its highlights so far. Massillon goes to Memorial Field House on Tuesday to face McKinley in a spicy matchup of rivals.

5, North Canton Hoover Vikings (9-5)

The Vikings haven’t been able to crack the code on a significant league win this season (four of their five losses are in the league). But this disciplined, defensive group will not be fun to deal with in Division II. Hoover played well in road losses to McKinley and Jackson last week and owns a 58-56 victory against St. Edward on a neutral court.

Greater Canton Boys Basketball Power Poll: Divisions IV, V, VI and VII

1, Canton Central Catholic Crusaders (10-2)

The Division V Crusaders are in the conversation for best Stark County-area team regardless of division. Senior guard Luke Vlacovsky, averaging a county-best 23.9 points a game, leads a potent Central attack that owns wins against Warren Harding, Massillon and 10-4 Northwest. Central is averaging 82.3 points its last four games and has hit at least 70 points in eight games overall.

2, Malvern Hornets (11-3)

Another year, another strong Hornets club for head coach Dennis Tucci. Division VI Malvern, a regional finalist in D3 last year, is rolling along toward another IVC North title. Senior Rodney Smith leads the way after a tremendous season in the fall for the football team.

3, Carrollton Warriors (7-5)

The Division IV Warriors just torched a solid Marlington team 80-56 behind Braylen Murphy’s school-record 10 3-pointers. They also handed D3 Alliance its only EBC loss last month. Carrollton, at 4-2 in the league, will try to tie the Aviators (9-4, 5-1) at the top of the standings when it travels to Harry Fails Gymnasium on Tuesday.

4, Manchester Panthers (9-4)

The Panthers, at 6-1 in the PAC-7, sit a game back of first-place Northwest. Division V Manchester hosts the league leader on Friday.

5, Lake Center Christian Tigers (9-3)

The Division VI Tigers jumped from 14 wins two seasons ago to 17 wins last year. They are in line for another step up this season as they contend for the Portage Trail Conference and try to get over that district final hurdle.

Reach Josh at josh.weir@cantonrep.com

On X: @jweirREP