Willard ranked fifth in AP Div. III state poll

COLUMBUS — The Willard girls basketball team maintained its spot among the top five teams in the latest Associated Press weekly high school state poll, released on Monday. The Crimson Flashes (15-1) fell one spot from fourth to fifth this week in the Division III poll, edged out by eight points (96-88) at No. 4 by Beverly Ft. Frye (15-1). Willard won two games last week, a 46-27 non-league win at Tiffin Columbian on Jan. 26, and a 47-27 win over Edison on Jan. 29 in SBC Bay Division action. The Crimson Flashes had Monday's big non-league showdown at former league rival Bellevue canceled because of inclement weather. However, they still have an even bigger non-league game on Thursday at Hopewell-Loudon (16-1). The Chieftains are ranked No. 12 in this week's poll in Div. III, and are the No. 2-seed behind the Flashes in the Shelby district. The matchup has the potential to be a district championship game preview, should the seeds play out. The Flashes also host Huron this Saturday in SBC Bay action. Also in the Shelby district is Margaretta (13-5) as the No. 3 seed. Willard (8-0 Bay) will visit Margaretta (6-1 Bay) with potential league title implications at stake on Feb. 11 in Castalia. Willard won the first meeting, 62-42, but will play the rematch without injured post player Presley Feltner (11.8 points, 9.8 rebounds per game). Also of note in the poll, Napoleon is in a tie for the No. 1 spot in Div. II. The Wildcats edged the Flashes, 44-41, on Jan. 2 in Napoleon, the lone loss to date for Willard. The 'Cats also topped Willard in a Div. II regional title game last season. In Div. IV, Buckeye Central (16-1) is No. 7 for the second straight week. Willard topped the Bucks, in overtime, on Jan. 14. The top-ranked teams in the poll this week include Cincinnati Mt. Notre Dame (Div. I), Thornville Sheridan and Napoleon (Div. II), Berlin Hiland (Div. III) and Ft. Loramie (Div. IV).