CLEVELAND, Ohio — Back-to-back wins against St. Edward and Brush strengthened an already tight grip on the top spot in the cleveland.com boys basketball rankings for St. Vincent-St. Mary.
The Fighting Irish beat both top-five teams in a three-day stretch.
By Sunday evening, after a 71-67 win against Brush, STVM coach Dru Joyce could breathe a sigh of relief.
"We found a way," he said. "We stayed with it and showed a lot of heart when it got tight. The game is still about layups and free throws. At the end of the game, we made free throws, and that's what you've got to do."
STVM beat St. Edward, 78-64, on Friday. Earlier in the week, the Irish had a 24-13 lead at Walsh Jesuit until that game was stopped because of a leak in the roof. STVM was awarded the win via forfeit, athletic director Willie McGee confirmed Sunday.
That leaves one week.
Next week brings the postseason and the final Top 25. Until then, here is how the area stacks up.
1. St. Vincent-St. Mary (16-3)
Last week: Ranked No. 1; beat Walsh Jesuit via forfeit (led 24-13) on Feb. 12, beat St. Edward 78-64 on Feb. 15, beat Brush 71-67 on Feb. 17
This week: Tuesday vs. No. 7 Villa Angela-St. Joseph, Friday vs. Canton McKinley
Signature wins: Cleveland Central Catholic 73-52 on Dec. 15, Chaminade (West Hills, Calif.) 74-59 on Dec. 21, St. Ignatius 72-55 on Dec. 31, Lorain 82-75 on Jan. 6, Warrensville Heights 68-59 on Jan. 22, Benedictine 65-53 on Jan. 26, Archbishop Hoban 69-48 on Feb. 6, St. Edward 78-64 on Feb. 15, Brush 71-67 on Feb. 17
Losses of note: SPIRE 81-58 on Dec. 3, Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller 99-62 on Dec. 8, at Kennedy Catholic 75-72 on Feb. 2
2. Lorain (19-1)
Last week: Ranked No. 2; beat Elyria Catholic 89-71 on Feb. 12, beat Lutheran East 74-56 on Feb. 15
This week: Tuesday at Avon, Friday at No. 17 Warrensville Heights (location TBA)
Signature wins: Euclid 82-62 on Dec. 1, Lutheran East 67-59 on Dec. 18, Cleveland Heights 75-71 on Jan. 11, Warrensville Heights 80-64 on Jan. 25, Garfield Heights 87-78 on Feb. 2, Cleveland Heights 75-66 on Feb. 8, Lutheran East 74-56 on Feb. 15
Losses of note: St. Vincent-St. Mary 82-75 on Jan. 6
3. Brush (18-3)
Last week: Ranked No. 3; beat Kenston 81-64 on Feb. 12, beat Willoughby South 75-57 on Feb. 15, lost at St. Vincent-St. Mary 71-67 on Feb. 17
This week: Tuesday vs. Madison on Feb. 19
Signature wins: Warren Harding 73-47 on Nov. 30, St. Edward 81-74 on Dec. 18, Warrensville Heights 68-50 on Dec. 27, Garfield Heights 81-63 on Jan. 6, Willoughby South 62-55 on Jan. 18, Willoughby South 75-57 on Feb. 15
Losses of note: SPIRE 82-61 on Jan. 15, Kennedy Catholic 70-65 on Jan. 27, at St. Vincent-St. Mary 71-67 on Feb. 17
4. Mentor (16-2)
Last week: Ranked No. 4; beat Euclid 64-53 on Feb. 12, lost at Medina 74-72 on Feb. 15
This week: Monday at No. 7 Villa Angela-St. Joseph, Friday vs. Elyria, Saturday vs. No. 18 Lake Catholic
Signature wins: Shaker Heights 80-79 on Dec. 14, Solon 81-61 on Dec. 21, Willoughby South 76-57 on Dec. 28, Benedictine 83-81 on Dec. 29, Medina 89-64 on Jan. 11, Solon 83-68 on Feb. 1, Lakota East 67-57 on Feb. 2, Euclid 64-53 on Feb. 12
Losses of note: Shaker Heights 69-66 on Jan. 29, at Medina 74-72 on Feb. 15
5. St. Edward (13-7)
Last week: Ranked No. 5; lost at St. Vincent-St. Mary 78-64 on Feb. 15, beat Toledo Whitmer 65-51 on Feb. 16
This week: Tuesday at No. 23 Solon, Thursday vs. No. 7 Villa Angela-St. Joseph
Signature wins: Lakewood 79-51 on Dec. 3, North Mecklenburg (N.C.) 59-57 on Dec. 29, Benedictine 74-60 on Jan. 5, Kennedy Catholic 68-59 on Jan. 6, St. Ignatius 87-64 on Jan. 11, Toledo Whitmer 65-51 on Feb. 16
Losses of note: Lima Senior 77-74 on Dec. 15, Brush 81-74 on Dec. 18, North Crowley (Texas) 63-59 on Dec. 27, Kennedy Catholic 73-64 on Jan. 18, SPIRE 122-86 on Jan. 26, at St. Ignatius 65-53 on Feb. 8, at St. Vincent-St. Mary 78-64 on Feb. 15
6. St. Ignatius (13-6)
Last week: Ranked No. 6; beat Erie Catheral Prep 64-63 on Feb. 15
This week: Tuesday at Cornerstone Christian, Friday vs. Kenston
Signature wins: Lutheran East 80-73 on Dec. 1, Cleveland Heights 61-59 on Dec. 7, Elyria Catholic 76-46 on Jan. 6, Villa Angela-St. Joseph 76-58 on Jan. 21, Benedictine 74-38 on Feb. 2, St. Edward 65-53 on Feb. 8, Erie Catheral Prep 64-63 on Feb. 15
Losses of note: Solon 77-71 in OT on Dec. 15, at Canton McKinley 64-56 on Dec. 22, Lake Catholic 71-68 on Dec. 29, St. Vincent-St. Mary 72-55 on Dec. 31, at St. Edward 87-64 on Jan. 11, at Cleveland Central Catholic 72-66 in OT on Jan. 19
7. Villa Angela-St. Joseph (13-5)
Last week: Ranked No. 7; lost at Benedictine 67-64 on Feb. 15
This week: Monday vs. No. 4 Mentor, Tuesday at No. 1 St. Vincent-St. Mary, Thursday at No. 5 St. Edward, Friday at St. Thomas Aquinas
Signature wins: Cleveland Heights 53-52 on Dec. 6, Archbishop Hoban 80-78 in OT on Dec. 14, Cleveland Central Catholic 75-71 in OT on Dec. 21, Benedictine 95-83 in OT on Jan. 11, Hoban 76-74 on Jan. 25, Euclid 58-43 on Feb. 9
Losses of note: Pickerington North 89-58 on Dec. 1, West Memphis (Ark.) 69-53 on Dec. 28, St. Ignatius 76-58 on Jan. 21, Cleveland Central Catholic 57-45 on Feb. 5, at Benedictine 67-64 on Feb. 15
8. Archbishop Hoban (15-4)
Last week: Ranked No. 8; beat Canton Central Catholic 61-57 on Feb. 12, beat Cleveland Central Catholic 55-49 on Feb. 15
This week: Tuesday vs. Buchtel, Friday at Warren JFK, Saturday at No. 10 East Tech
Signature wins: Ellet 50-48 on Dec. 8, Benedictine 59-45 on Dec. 21, Lake Catholic 61-54 on Jan. 4, Cleveland Central Catholic 65-44 on Jan. 11, Benedictine 65-64 on Feb. 1, Cleveland Central Catholic 55-49 on Feb. 15
Losses of note: Villa Angela-St. Joseph 80-78 in OT on Dec. 14, St. Stephens/St. Agnes (Arlington, Va.) 63-51 on Dec. 29, VASJ 76-74 on Jan. 25, St. Vincent-St. Mary 69-48 on Feb. 6
9. Olmsted Falls (19-2)
Last week: Ranked No. 9; beat Midview 59-48 on Feb. 12, beat Avon Lake 54-44 on Feb. 15
This week: Friday vs. North Olmsted
Signature wins: Avon 63-43 on Dec. 21, Brunswick 60-49 on Dec. 29, Lakewood 57-44 on Jan. 29
Losses of note: at Lakewood 44-40 on Dec. 14, Midview 50-48 on Jan. 11
10. East Tech (19-2)
Last week: Ranked No. 14; beat Cleveland Heights 63-62 on Feb. 12
This week: Friday at University School, Saturday vs. No. 8 Archbishop Hoban
Signature wins: Warrensville Heights 60-50 on Dec. 2, Rhodes 72-69 on Dec. 11, Berlin Hiland 55-43 on Dec. 22, Rhodes 67-63 in OT on Feb. 8, Cleveland Heights 63-62 on Feb. 12
Losses of note: Maple Heights 61-58 on Jan. 27, at Glenville 57-54 on Feb. 1
11. Green (15-4)
Last week: Ranked No. 17; beat Copley 74-58 on Feb. 12, beat Ellet 69-52 on Feb. 15, beat Revere 82-53 on Feb. 17 at the Mercy Medical Classic
This week: Tuesday vs. Firestone, Friday at Wooster
Signature wins: Stow 54-59 on Nov. 30, Uniontown Lake 46-32 on Dec. 11, Massillon Perry 63-61 on Dec. 14, Massillon Jackson 58-49 on Jan. 8, Copley 74-58 on Feb. 12, Revere 82-53 on Feb. 17
Losses of note: at North Canton Hoover 62-58 on Dec. 7, Solon 65-60 on Dec. 27, at Canton McKinley 65-62 on Feb. 1, Massillon Jackson 59-49 on Feb. 8
12. Shaker Heights (13-7)
Last week: Ranked No. 10; lost to Solon 62-52 on Feb. 12, beat Strongsville 55-48 on Feb. 15
This week: Tuesday at No. 15 Revere, Friday vs. Medina
Signature wins: Buchtel 85-62 on Dec. 1, Garfield Heights 75-41 on Dec. 19, Solon 95-91 in OT on Jan. 8, Medina 62-55 on Jan. 18, Brunswick 78-58 on Jan. 25
Losses of note: at Cleveland Heights 76-51 on Dec. 2, at Brunswick 74-53 on Dec. 7, Mentor 80-79 on Dec. 14, Lutheran East 89-67 on Dec. 28, Euclid 79-74 on Feb. 1, Brush 39-29 on Feb. 5, Solon 62-52 on Feb. 12
13. Euclid (13-7)
Last week: Ranked No. 11; lost to Mentor 64-53 on Feb. 12, beat Elyria 71-52 on Feb. 15
This week: Tuesday vs. Open Door, Friday vs. Brunswick
Signature wins: Solon 62-57 on Dec. 14, Beachwood 64-52 on Dec. 29, Willoughby South 61-47 on Jan. 22, Medina 64-62 on Jan. 25, Solon 91-76 on Jan. 29, Shaker Heights 79-74 on Feb. 1
Losses of note: Lorain 82-65 on Dec. 1, Medina 74-61 on Dec. 7, at Garfield Heights 57-49 on Dec. 11, Shaker Heights 57-52 on Dec. 21, at Mentor 72-61 on Jan. 8, Mentor 64-53 on Feb. 12
14. Lutheran East (12-8)
Last week: Ranked No. 13; beat Richmond Heights 85-77 on Feb. 12, lost to Lorain 74-58 on Feb. 15
This week: Tuesday vs. Bedford, Friday at Maple Heights
Signature wins: Shaker Heights 89-67 on Dec. 28, Warrensville Heights 81-70 on Jan. 4, Lakewood 43-40 on Jan. 5, Warrensville Heights 72-58 on Feb. 5, Richmond Heights 85-77 on Feb. 12
Losses of note: St. Ignatius 80-73 on Dec. 1, Cleveland Heights 56-52 on Dec. 14, at Lorain 67-59 on Dec. 18, SPIRE 118-96 on Jan. 27, at Cleveland Heights 86-74 on Jan. 29, at St. Edward 77-66 on Feb. 1, at St. Vincent-St. Mary 75-48 on Feb. 8, Lorain 74-58 on Feb. 15
15. Revere (16-4)
Last week: Ranked No. 15; beat Warrensville Heights 71-66 on Feb. 12, beat Akron East 75-63 on Feb. 15, lost to Green 82-53 on Feb. 17 at the Mercy Medical Classic
This week: Tuesday vs. No. 12 Shaker Heights, Friday vs. Tallmadge
Signature wins: Rhodes 81-68 on Dec. 22, Beachwood 73-65 on Dec. 28, Copley 78-73 on Feb. 1, Warrensville Heights 71-66 on Feb. 12
Losses of note: Medina 66-63 on Dec. 8, at Copley 66-50 on Dec. 14, at Wadsworth 44-37 on Dec. 18, Green 82-53 on Feb. 17
16. Willoughby South (16-5)
Last week: Ranked No. 12; beat Eastlake North 74-55 on Feb. 12, lost at Brush 75-57 on Feb. 15
This week: Tuesday at No. 21 Gilmour
Signature wins: Lake Catholic 62-52 on Dec. 4, Beachwood 72-68 on Jan. 27
Losses of note: Glenville 58-55 on Nov. 30, at Mentor 76-57 on Dec. 28, Brush 62-55 on Jan. 18, Euclid 61-47 on Jan. 22, at Brush 75-57 on Feb. 15
17. Cleveland Central Catholic (12-9)
Last week: Ranked No. 19; beat Garfield Heights 64-55 on Feb. 13, lost to Archbishop Hoban 55-49 on Feb. 15
This week: Friday at Trinity
Signature wins: Solon 71-64 on Dec. 1, Cleveland Heights 66-62 on Dec. 27, St. Ignatius 72-66 in OT on Jan. 19, Villa Angela-St. Joseph 57-45 on Feb. 5, Lake Catholic 68-53 on Feb. 8, Garfield Heights 64-55 on Feb. 13
Losses of note: Benedictine 83-69 on Dec. 14, St. Vincent-St. Mary 73-52 on Dec. 15, Warrensville Heights 73-70 on Dec. 18, Villa Angela-St. Joseph 75-71 in OT on Dec. 21, at Archbishop Hoban 65-44 on Jan. 11, Benedictine 66-59 on Jan. 24, at Toledo St. John's Jesuit 42-38 on Jan. 26, St. Edward 56-51 on Feb. 2, Archbishop Hoban 55-49 on Feb. 15
18. Lake Catholic (15-4)
Last week: Ranked No. 20; beat Bedford 60-52 on Feb. 12, beat Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin 92-55 on Feb. 15
This week: Tuesday vs. Beachwood, Friday at Padua, Saturday at No. 4 Mentor
Signature wins: Gilmour 84-65 on Nov. 30, St. Ignatius 71-68 on Dec. 29, Solon 66-61 on Jan. 6, Holy Name 77-72 on Jan. 29
Losses of note: Willoughby South 62-52 on Dec. 4, Archbishop Hoban 61-54 on Jan. 4, Walsh Jesuit 75-62 on Feb. 1, at Cleveland Central Catholic 65-53 on Feb. 8
19. Warrensville Heights (13-7)
Last week: Ranked No. 18; lost to Revere 71-66 on Feb. 12, beat Maple Heights 65-62 on Feb. 15
This week: Tuesday vs. No. 24 Cleveland Heights, Friday vs. No. 2 Lorain (location TBA)
Signature wins: Cleveland Central Catholic 73-70 on Dec. 18, Garfield Heights 86-71 on Jan. 11, Cleveland Heights 72-62 on Jan. 18, Buchtel 69-66 on Feb. 2
Losses of note: East Tech 60-50 on Dec. 2, Brush 68-50 on Dec. 27, at Lutheran East 81-70 on Jan. 4, St. Vincent-St. Mary 68-59 on Jan. 22, at Lorain 80-64 on Jan. 25, Lutheran East 72-58 on Feb. 5
20. Fairview (19-2)
Last week: Ranked No. 21; beat Rocky River 65-54 on Feb. 12, beat Clearview 69-61 on Feb. 15
This week: Friday at Lutheran West
Signature wins: Elyria Catholic 65-47 on Jan. 2, Clearview 82-62 on Jan. 4, Columbia 81-64 on Jan. 18, Rocky River 65-54 on Feb. 12, Clearview 69-61 on Feb. 15
Losses of note: Buckeye 72-70 in OT on Dec. 11, Bay 74-71 on Jan. 15
21. Gilmour (17-3)
Last week: Ranked No. 22; beat John Adams 96-67 on Feb. 12, beat Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas 65-40 on Feb. 15
This week: Tuesday vs. No. 16 Willoughby South, Friday vs. Benedictine
Signature wins: Buchtel 77-67 on Dec. 28, University School 93-69 on Dec. 31
Losses of note: at Lake Catholic 84-65 on Nov. 30, Holy Name 89-87 on Dec. 22, at Villa Angela-St. Joseph 65-63 on Jan. 18
22. Copley (15-5)
Last week: Ranked No. 16; lost at Green 74-58 on Feb. 12, beat Aurora 88-69 on Feb. 15, beat North Canton Hoover 77-69 in OT on Feb. 16
This week: Tuesday at Twinsburg, Friday vs. Kent Roosevelt
Signature wins: Revere 67-66 on Dec. 11, Lexington 64-48 on Dec. 22, Stow 62-54 on Dec. 27, Highland 74-51 on Jan. 4, Massillon Jackson 65-53 on Jan. 29
Losses of note: Canton McKinley 58-49 on Nov. 30, Tallmadge 64-63 on Dec. 21, at Revere 78-73 on Feb. 1, Highland 60-53 on Feb. 8, at Green 74-58 on Feb. 12
23. Solon (12-8)
Last week: Not ranked; beat Shaker Heights 62-52 on Feb. 12, beat Brunswick 77-67 on Feb. 15
This week: Tuesday vs. No. 5 St. Edward, Friday vs. Strongsville
Signature wins: St. Ignatius 77-71 in OT on Dec. 14, Green 65-60 on Dec. 27, Medina 76-65 on Jan. 4, Twinsburg 73-61 on Jan. 23, Medina 72-65 on Feb. 8, Shaker Heights 62-52 on Feb. 12
Losses of note: Cleveland Central Catholic 71-64 on Dec. 1, at Benedictine 82-79 in OT on Dec. 8, Euclid 62-57 on Dec. 14, at Mentor 81-61 on Dec. 21, Lake Catholic 66-61 on Jan. 6, Shaker Heights 95-91 in OT on Jan. 8, at Euclid 91-76 on Jan. 29, Mentor 83-68 on Feb. 1
24. Cleveland Heights (11-9)
Last week: Ranked No. 25; lost to East Tech 63-62 on Feb. 12, beat Shaw 73-68 on Feb. 15, beat Massillon Jackson 67-60 on Feb. 16
This week: Tuesday at No. 19 Warrensville Heights, Thursday at Garfield Heights
Signature wins: Shaker Heights 76-51 on Dec. 2, Warren Harding 85-60 on Dec. 11, Lutheran East 56-52 on Dec. 14, Canton McKinley 84-60 on Jan. 5, Lutheran East 86-74 on Jan. 29, Massillon Jackson 67-60 on Feb. 16
Losses of note: at VASJ 53-52 on Dec. 6, at St. Ignatius 61-59 on Dec. 7, Cleveland Central Catholic 66-62 on Dec. 27, Lorain 75-71 on Jan. 11, Warrensville Heights 72-62 on Jan. 18, Cincinnati Hughes 83-67 on Jan. 21, at Bedford 50-45 on Feb. 5, at Lorain 75-66 on Feb. 8, East Tech 63-62 on Feb. 12
25. Bay (15-5)
Last week: Ranked No. 23; beat Oberlin 99-51 on Feb. 12, lost at Lakewood 52-51 on Feb. 16
This week: Tuesday vs. Holy Name, Friday at Rocky River
Signature wins: Rocky River 87-83 on Jan. 4, Fairview 74-71 on Jan. 15, Elyria Catholic 58-42 on Feb. 8
Losses of note: SPIRE 113-67 on Nov. 30, at Elyria Catholic 82-79 on De. 14, at Holy Name 93-84 on Jan. 25, at Parma 75-74 in OT on Feb. 5, at Lakewood 52-51 on Feb. 16
Garfield Heights (10-11, was No. 24)
Benedictine (10-9), Buchtel (14-7), Elyria Catholic (11-8), Medina (12-8), Perry (15-5), Woodridge (17-3)
Contact sports reporter Matt Goul on Twitter (@mgoul) or email ([email protected]). Or log in and leave a message below in the comments section.
Ad Choices