North’s girls’ basketball team is off to a hot start this season and it hasn’t gone unnoticed.
The Rangers entered the latest AP Division I Girls’ Basketball Poll at No. 10.
Despite the recognition, the Rangers have their eyes on a bigger prize.
“It's nice for the kids to be recognized but it has very little impact on what we do,” said North coach Paul Force. “We all know that we aren't where we want to be yet and we just need to be committed to moving forward together. Basketball season doesn't allow you time to sit back and think about records or rankings, it's all about moving forward and coming together to be where you want to be as a team come tournament time.”
North’s only loss came at Brush on Jan. 4. The 12-1 Arcs are No. 7 in the poll, which was released on Jan. 10.
Force and the Rangers travel to league rival Kenston on Wednesday then step out of conference on Sunday for a game against Bay. The Rockets earned votes in the Division II poll.
“We are focused on pursuing our goals and working toward them every day,” Force said. “A state ranking isn't something that is on our goal list and it shouldn't affect how we do things, except maybe to serve as some extra motivation to continue learning and growing together.”
Mentor was ranked No. 8 in Division I while undefeated Perry is No. 10 in Division II.
DIVISION I
1. Mason (11) 10-0 136
2. Newark (3) 12-0 115
3. W. Chester Lakota W. 11-1 95
4. Reynoldsburg 9-2 53
5. Tol. Start 9-1 52
6. Solon 8-2 44
7. Brush 10-1 43
8. Mentor 7-2 39
9. Springboro 10-2 34
10.Eastlake North 8-1 32
Others receiving 12 or more points: Can. GlenOak (1) 31. Cin. McAuley (1) 24. Twinsburg 20. Cin. Mt. Notre Dame 19. Cle. St. Joseph 19. Pickerington Cent. 17. Cols. Watterson 16. N. Can. Hoover 15.
DIVISION II
1. Day. Carroll (5) 11-1 123
2. Ottawa-Glandorf (6) 11-0 112
3. Kettering Alter (3) 9-2 93
4. Trotwood-Madison 9-2 52
5. London 11-1 48
6. Tipp City Tippecanoe 8-2 47
7. Padua 10-1 46
8. Laurel (2) 11-0 43
9. Oak Harbor 10-1 37
10.Perry 11-0 34
Others receiving 12 or more points: Warren Howland 32. Elyria Cath. 23. Millbury Lake 21. Bay 19. Caledonia River Valley 18. Wilmington 18.
DIVISION III
1. Cols. Africentric (8) 9-1 131
2. Summit Country Day (4) 11-0 93
3. Archbold (2) 11-0 88
4. Versailles 11-1 58
5. Ft. Recovery 8-0 52
6. Findlay Liberty-Benton 9-1 42
7. Richwood N. Union 11-1 35
8. Newton Falls 8-1 32
(tie) Columbus Grove 8-1 32
10.Lynchburg-Clay 10-0 31
Others receiving 12 or more points: Brookfield 28. Baltimore Liberty Union 27. Proctorville Fairland 22. Gilmour (2) 20. Albany Alexander 20. Warren Champion 19. Garrettsville 18. Lisbon David Anderson 13. Nelsonville-York 12.
DIVISION IV
1. Waterford (6) 8-1 117
(tie) Minster (5) 9-0 117
3. Russia 11-1 72
4. Tri-Village (1) 10-0 67
5. Ottoville 9-2 57
6. Berlin Hiland (3) 10-0 55
7. Arlington 9-2 51
8. Fairfield Christian (1) 11-0 50
9. Jackson Center 7-2 31
10. Lake Ridge 8-2 27
Others receiving 12 or more points: Covington 26. Wayne Trace 24. Reedsville Eastern 24. Windham 24. Lancaster Fisher Cath. 18. N. Jackson Jackson-Milton 17. New Matamoras Frontier 15. Day. Miami Valley 14.
