Central No. 1 in first state poll

1/13/2005

COLUMBUS - Central Catholic is No. 1 in Division I. That and a rare first-place tie between South Euclid Regina and Plain City Jonathan Alder in Division III highlight the opening week of the 21st annual Associated Press Ohio high school girls basketball poll.

Joining those No. 1 teams as divisional leaders were Akron Hoban and Berlin Hiland in the media voting released last night.

Ottawa-Glandorf is fourth in Division II, Patrick Henry and Elmwood are 7-8 in D-III, and Miller City is third and New Riegel ninth in D-IV.

Regina and Jonathan Alder had 192 points and six first-place votes each - with Oak Hill lurking just 12 points back in third place.

Regina, a perennial state tournament team, lost in the regional finals a year ago to eventual state champion Youngstown Ursuline. Jonathan Alder lost to Ursuline in the state semifinals before the Fighting Irish beat Oak Hill 66-52 in the title game.

The races were also close in Division I, where Central Catholic held a narrow 10-point edge on Dayton Chaminade-Julienne, and in Division IV, where Hiland's lead was 17 points over Marion Local.

Hoban received a clear mandate in Division II, with an 80-point advantage on Columbus Eastmoor Academy.

Last year's other state champions factored into the poll with Minster ranked No. 7 in D-IV, West Branch No. 5 in D-II and Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame fourth in D-I.

The poll will continue for six weeks until winners are declared on Feb. 8.

SCOTT 67, ROGERS 44

Jana Poellnitz scored 16 points and Precious Hands added 12 to lead Scott (5-6) to a win over Rogers (1-9).

Lindsey McDonald posted 14 points for Rogers.

BOWSHER 59, WHITMER 55

Whitmer rallied for a 51-51 tie in the fourth quarter, but the visiting Rebels pulled away.

Stephany Johnson led Bowsher (8-3, 6-1) with 16 points and Lauren Crockett added 11.

Michelle Clayton paced Whitmer (2-10, 2-5) with 13 points.

CENTRAL CATHOLIC 64,

LIBBEY 31

Ellen Herman led Central Catholic with 14 points while Emily Large, Jessica Minnfield and Mallory Strall added 10 points apiece for the Irish.

Evette Mosby paced Libbey in scoring with 11 points, while Kadiya Gregory had eight points and 13 rebounds and Danyelle McGary ripped down 18 boards.