O-G wins poll title

2/10/2005

COLUMBUS - Berlin Hiland captured its third Associated Press Ohio girls basketball poll title and Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame, Ottawa-Glandorf and Oak Hill each walked off with their first last night.

Hiland, unbeaten and No. 1 on the year, won the Division IV crown in the balloting by a media panel from around the state. The plaque the school will receive will go nicely with the ones they captured in 1999 and 2000 - also after unbeaten seasons. The Hawks followed up the 2000 poll title with a state championship trophy.

The poll titles are the first for Mount Notre Dame, Ottawa-Glandorf and Oak Hill.

Central Catholic finished ninth in Division I.

Ottawa-Glandorf was fourth in the initial poll this season but moved up steadily to overtake Akron Hoban and Columbus Eastmoor Academy.

Plain City Jonathan Alder led the Division III rankings the first three weeks before sustaining its first loss, opening the door for Oak Hill to move up to No. 1.

In Division III, Elmwood was fifth and Patrick Henry seventh. In Division IV Miller City was fourth, Ottoville sixth and New Riegel seventh.

Through the 2003-04 season, 16 of the 77 poll champions have gone on to win state titles.