Willard ranked fifth in Division II

COLUMBUS — After a strong start to the season, the Willard boys basketball team is ranked among the top 10 teams in the first weekly Associated Press state poll, released on Monday. The Crimson Flashes (9-1) are the No. 5-ranked team in Division II, two spots behind Lexington (12-0). The two teams, along with Shelby (8-2) and Mansfield Senior (8-2) are among the top teams in the same Ashland district. Willard started the season with eight straight wins, then suffered its first loss last week — a 58-48 home loss on Jan. 4 against Margaretta. The Polar Bears (7-1) are the No. 5-ranked team in this week's DIv. III poll. The Flashes have another big test on Tuesday when they entertain Sandusky (7-2) before visiting Vermilion (4-4) on Friday in an SBC Bay Division matchup. Also of note to the area, Ashland Crestview (10-0) is the No. 13-ranked team in Div. III. The Cougars will host St. Paul (6-1) on Thursday in a matchup of two 5-0 teams in the Firelands Conference. The top-ranked teams in the initial pull included Cleveland St. Ignatius (Div. I), Rocky River Lutheran West (Div. II), Cleveland Heights Lutheran East (Div. III) and Warren JFK (Div. IV). GIRLS Two SBC teams ranked In the first girls poll, two more Sandusky Bay Conference teams are ranked. In Div. III, Margaretta (10-1) debuted at No. 4. The Polar Bears reached the state semifinals last season and will host Norwalk (9-1) in a big non-league game on Tuesday. Bryan, which defeated the Truckers in a Div. II regional championship game last season, is No. 11 in the division poll this week. In Div. IV, Loudonville (13-0) is the No. 4-ranked team. The Redbirds feature NCAA Div. II Ashland University commit Corri Vermilya, who just reached 2,000 career points with another 12-plus games left in her career. Loudonville defeated South Central (8-4), 81-39, on Dec. 19. Also in Div. IV, Danbury (10-0) is ranked ninth in the first poll. The Lakers are in the same Willard district with FC contenders New London (9-3) and South Central. Top-ranked teams in the initial poll included Pickerington Central (Div. I), Cincinnati Purcell Marian (Div. II), Casstown Miami East (Div. III) and Fort Loramie (Div. IV).