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Power Rankings: There's a shakeup among the boys teams

brandon hannahs, zanesville times recorder
·4 min read

There was plenty of activity, especially on the boys side, that has led to a shakeup in our latest power rankings, so let's take a look:

Boys

5. John Glenn: The Muskies move into the top five after a balanced effort took down West Muskingum on Tuesday. They have wins over New Lex and Coshocton and are led by big man Caleb Larrick. The improvement of several underclassmen, including Stehl Bates, have helped John Glenn remain competitive in MVL play. A pair of tests await next week with Tri-Valley and Sheridan on the docket.

4. Buckeye Trail: The Warriors were tested on Tuesday by Martins Ferry but held on for a two-point win and a 12-1 mark. Trail has plenty of depth, and Donovan Geiger and Gavin Rome delivered in that victory, while Charlie Parry continues to be the catalyst on both ends of the floor. Trail has a chance to build on the momentum before some tough tests, including unbeaten Malvern, in the final two weeks.

3. Tri-Valley: It's tough to drop the Scotties to third with such a slim margin between the top three teams, but they missed an opportunity to take control of the Big School Division. The loss to New Lex kept Maysville in the hunt, and the Scotties will have to win at Maysville when the two meet next month to likely earned an outright title. Nohah Nichols and Keaton Hahn were stellar in Tuesday's win at Coshocton, and their contributions are needed to help Tri-Valley reach its goals.

2. New Lexington: These Panthers were primed for the top spot after topping Tri-Valley on the road on Saturday. Isaiah Stephens and Bentley Hanson continue to pace the Small School Division leaders, but their efforts weren't enough to help rally the squad against Maysville. Yet, the Panthers control their destiny for a league title and look to bounce back against Logan on Friday.

Maysville's Alex Bobb shoots a floater in the lane over New Lexington's Lane Ratliff in Maysville's 67-57 win on Tuesday. Bobb scored 36 points in the win.
Maysville's Alex Bobb shoots a floater in the lane over New Lexington's Lane Ratliff in Maysville's 67-57 win on Tuesday. Bobb scored 36 points in the win.

1. Maysville: It's a close race between the top teams in the Muskingum Valley League, but the Panthers earned the top spot after an impressive road win over New Lexington. Alex Bobb continues to show why he is the top player in the MVL after a 36-point effort on Tuesday. His shooting ability and leadership continue to shine, while sophomores Gator Nichols and Jordyn Watson have come into their own.

On the bubble: Coshocton, Rosecrans, Sheridan

Girls

5. Ridgewood: The Generals had a tough setback on Saturday at Tusky Valley, but they are still sitting at 13-3. Kat Kelley continues to lead the way as a freshman, while the experience and leadership of Kya Masloski and Kiertson Latham can help Ridgewood make a tournament run. The program is in a good spot, and the Generals have seeding to play for over the next month.

4. John Glenn: A disappointing loss to the Tornadoes have all but eliminated the Muskies from the MVL Big School Division race. They are three games behind Sheridan and would need a lot of help to climb the standings. The duo of Mya Oliver and Riley Zamensky gives John Glenn a chance in the East District, but the supporting cast needs to step up in order to make another long tournament run.

3. Tri-Valley: The Scotties may have a tough road in Division I, but the MVL Big School Division is still in play. They have a tough game with Watterson on Thursday and face West Muskingum, Sheridan and John Glenn over the final two weeks of the regular season. MacKenzie Harvey and Maddie Garber provide legit offensive threats for Tri-Valley, while defense could help the Scotties track down Sheridan to at least share the Big School crown.

West Muskingum's Jayden Thornton puts up a shot against a Meadowbrook defender in a win from earlier this season. Thornton has become one of the primary offensive threats for the Tornadoes.
West Muskingum's Jayden Thornton puts up a shot against a Meadowbrook defender in a win from earlier this season. Thornton has become one of the primary offensive threats for the Tornadoes.

2. West Muskingum: Josh Middleton and his Tornadoes made a statement with a 22-point win at John Glenn last week. They currently sit at 15-2 and are looking at one of the top seeds in Division II in the East District. Jayden Thornton has stepped up to become the team's most consistent scoring threat, while Laney Johnson brings the effort each night. West M's next big test comes on Jan. 31 at Tri-Valley.

1. Sheridan: Jamisyn Stinson and the Generals are by far the best team on the girls side, sitting at 16-0. There are few challenges ahead in the regular season with Tri-Valley on Feb. 3 and John Glenn on Feb. 10. Veteran coach JD Walters has this team playing well in many facets. Sheridan is more than Stinson, as Nora Saffell, Ava Heller and Halle Warner are proven commodities and contribute on both ends of the floor.

On the bubble: New Lexington, Meadowbrook

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Power Rankings: New team leads the boys; shakeup with the girls