The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)

TOP OF THE CROP

Boys basketball

1: (1) Richmond Hts. (9-8)

2: (2) Mentor (8-5)

3: (3) Brush (9-7)

4: (4) Geneva (13-3)

5: (5) Gilmour (10-6)

6: (9) Hawken (12-3)

7: (6) Madison (10-5)

8: (7) West Geauga (11-5)

9: (10) Kirtland (12-3)

10: (9) NDCL (8-7)

Watch List: VASJ (11-5), Fairport (11-4), Cornerston­e (7-6), Perry (7-6)

Crop Comments: The Spartans have found their stride with four straight wins. The had an 18-0 run in the fourth quarter against Revere to win and now have a matchup of defending state champions when Buchtel visits on Feb. 6. … Mentor’s defense was challenged by Brunswick’s ability to run against the press and only created 10 turnovers. The loss created a tie at the top of the GCC and a rematch on Feb. 23 could be for all the marbles in the conference. The Cardinals can’t look too far ahead with games against Medina, Cleveland Heights, Lutheran East and Glenville beforehand. … Brush was able to grind out a win against Cleveland Central Catholic but was unable to keep the success going against Lutheran East. The Arcs aim to find some offensive consistenc­y down the stretch as they have eclipsed 50points twice in the last five games and with a trip to St. Ignatius on Feb. 6, establishi­ng that will be priority one for the remainder of the year. … While Geneva had a split week, the Eagles did take sole possession of the CVC Lake division lead with losses by Perry and Madison. The Eagles have four of their final six in conference play and will look for the defense to continue leading the way while the offense continues to generate runs to create a cushion. … Gilmour worked its way back into the game with Hawken but was undone by an 11-2 run at the end of the game for a second straight loss. The Lancers look to establish their transition game and take advantage of the better looks in a closing stretch with Warren JFK, VASJ and Hoban. … The Hawks have been able to play well on both ends of the floor but the defense in their eight-game win streak has been at that next level. Hawken has held teams to 38.6 points per game in the past eight games and look to continue that against West Geauga in a defacto CVC Chagrin Division title game. … Madison had its fivegame streak snapped by a pair of strong second-half runs by Perry and Jefferson on the road. The Blue Streaks return home with conference games against Conneaut and Edgewood to get back on track in the CVC-Lake division race. … West Geauga had its three game win streak snapped against Hudson but has its eyes on the bigger picture of the CVC Chagrin title. The last time the Wolverines met the Hawks, they took home the low-scoring victory and look for the sweep to secure the first conference title since 2018. …Kirtland recovered from a defeat to Beachood with double-digit wins over Wickliffe and St. Martin de Porres. The Hornets host Crestwood and a win creates a tie at the top of the CVC Valley Division with two teams with big D-III postseason aspiration­s. … NDCL has won three of its last four and seems to have found the offense to match the defense. The Lions will be put to the test against Lake Catholic, VASJ and Walsh Jesuit coming up.