Willard ninth in second AP poll

COLUMBUS — After a pair of losses to two powerhouse teams, the Willard boys basketball team fell from fifth to ninth in the second weekly Division II Associated Press poll, released Monday. The Crimson Flashes (10-2, 4-1 SBC Bay) lost to Margaretta (10-1, 5-0), 58-48, on Jan. 4. The Polar Bears are ranked No. 6 in this week's Div. III poll. After a win at Tiffin Columbian (8-4) on Jan. 6, the Flashes were edged at home, 66-64, on Jan. 9 vs. Sandusky (9-1). Also in Div. II, Lexington (14-1) is ranked second and Shelby (9-2) is tied for 10th. Both teams, along with Mansfield Senior (10-2), are in the same district as Willard. The Flashes also host the rival Whippets in the regular season finale on Feb. 23. In Div. III, Ashland Crestview (12-0) is ranked No. 10. The Cougars are in the same district at Norwalk High School as Margaretta, and sit atop the Firelands Conference, one game ahead of St. Paul. Cleveland St. Ignatius (Div. I), Rocky River Lutheran West (Div. II), Cleveland Heights Lutheran East (Div. III) and Russia (Div. IV) are the top-ranked teams in this week's poll. GIRLS Two SBC teams ranked COLUMBUS — In the girls poll, Margaretta is ranked fifth in Div. III. The Polar Bears (12-1) beat Norwalk (9-3) last week, 39-34, on Jan. 9 in Castalia. Also of note to the area, Loudonville (15-0) is ranked fifth in Div. IV and Danbury (12-1). The Redbirds beat South Central on Dec. 19. The Lakers are in the same district as the Trojans (10-4) and New London (11-4). Lewis Center Olentangy (Div. I), Cincinnati Purcell Marian (Div. II), Casstown Miami East (Div. III) and Berlin Hiland (Div. IV) are the No. 1-ranked teams in this week's poll.