I have officially just completed a 15 day juice cleanse. This is something I have wanted to do for quite some time yet hadn’t found the appropriate time to do so until now. I had completed a couple 3 and 5 days cleanses in the past few years though and was satisfied with the results.
NW Ohio High School Hoops Power Rankings
Presented by @CoachDarrenK
2/22/16 – Regular Season Final Poll #8 –
#1 Lima Senior
A 22-0 regular season is in the books. It’s Columbus or bust now for the Spartans.
#2 St John’s
The Titans have put together another nice campaign. 3 wins in bracket play and you could see another Lima Senior match-up. It’s very hard to beat a good team 3 times.
#3 Whitmer
The Panthers have 7 seniors who have sacrificed to make this a great year. They will not bow out easily as each win prolongs their high school careers.
#4 St. Francis
A first round re-match with Springfield from just over a week ago, this time with their floor general in uniform.
#5 Northview
A 6 game improvement from last year led the Wildcats to the NLL championship. As a 6 seed they face Findlay who finished 5th place in the TRAC yet received the #5 seed in the bracket. Should be a great opening round match-up.
#6 Findlay
The Trojans lost 4 of their final 6 to close out the regular season, but are 2-1 this season vs the NLL. They will have to knock of the champions if they want to advance.
#7 Bowsher
The Rebels took the long way to the City Championship, but they got it winning last week’s tournament and owning the leagues best overall record at 14-8. They draw a discipline Southview club in the first round.
#8 Scott
The Bulldogs simply got outplayed in the City semi’s. This team has the ability to bounce back and make a nice tournament run but they must ride Jay Wells more; he needs more touches. If they advance, CCHS will be a very tough 2nd round match-up.
#9 Swanton
On paper the Bulldogs should claim the Division III district championship on 3/5. Can they take care of business and win 3 straight to cut down the nets.
#10 (tie) Springfield
The Blue Devils are playing well because they have both inside and perimeter weapons that compliment each other. An up and down team this season, which group will show up now that it’s win or go home.
#10 (tie) Napoleon
Probably the 3rd best team in the NLL, the Wildcats earned the #1 seed in the Division II bracket. They are going to have to knock off some quality teams to climb the ladders at BGSU in a couple weeks.
One team not in poll that has the ability to make a run to a district championship: Central Catholic
Northern Buckeye (8), Northern Lakes League (8), Northwest Ohio (9), TRAC (8), Toledo Area, (8) Toledo City (6) – 47 total teams considered
Disclaimer: This poll is the sole opinion of Coach Darren Kohne who has over 20 years of experience coaching, scouting, recruiting, and evaluating at the high school, collegiate and professional levels. This is an unofficial poll produced in good nature to help provide positive recognition and shed light on the quality basketball teams in NW Ohio as well as promote spirited interscholastic competition.
Junior Xavier Simpson drives toward the basket against a Lima Central Catholic defender at Lima Senior High School.
NW Ohio High School Hoops Power Rankings
Presented by @CoachDarrenK
2/1/16 – Poll #5
Big week for the Spartans knocking off cross town rival Lima CC as well as St Francis and a pesky CCHS on their way to a 15-0 record.
The Titan’s had a great week going 3-0 against Springfield, Whitmer, and a very strong Lakewood St Ed’s club. Senior Aaron Thompson had a big time week to lead SJJ.
The Rams continue to run through the City League again knocking off pre-season favorite Bowsher, though without Dalonte Brown.
The Panthers showed little resistance this week in their only game vs St. John’s. There is a lot of talent and depth on Coach Brown’s roster. Look for a terrific re-match with CCHS this week.
The NLL is currently the hottest league race in the area and Coach Good’s team remains on top of the standings. Anthony Wayne and Northview on deck this week.
Got surprised by an up and down Springfield team with Rick UpChurch in the house. 2 must win home games this week for the Wildcats vs Perrysburg and Napoleon.
Tough week going 0-2 vs two very good ball clubs. The Irish are primed and ready for a big finish to this season.
The Knights have a must win at home vs Findlay this week and then will host the Johnnies on Bancroft for the first time in 40+ years.
The Green Bears avenged their only loss of the year beating Toledo Christian by 10 to improve to 13-1 overall.
10a. Swanton
8 wins in a row for the Bulldogs but Swanton’s 2 games back in the NWOAL due to some early season league defeats.
10b. Southview
The Cougars have dropped 2 out of 3 but still sit only 1 game back in the NLL race with 5 games to go.
Can play their way in with two wins this week: Findlay and Scott.
Northern Buckeye (8), Northern Lakes League (8), Northwest Ohio (9), TRAC (8), Toledo Area, (8) Toledo City (6) – 47 total teams considered
Disclaimer: This poll is the sole opinion of Coach Darren Kohne who has over 20 years of experience coaching, scouting, recruiting, and evaluating at the high school, collegiate and professional levels. This is an unofficial poll produced in good nature to help provide positive recognition and shed light on the quality basketball teams in NW Ohio as well as promote spirited interscholastic competition.
NW Ohio High School Hoops Power Rankings
Presented by @CoachDarrenK
1/25/16 – Poll #4
The Spartans have the most talented roster with the best overall player. They are undefeated but not unbeatable. Huge cross-town match up this week with 15-0 Lima CC.
The Titan’s haven’t been playing their best as of late but are still the 2nd best team in this poll. All 4 of their loses are to teams that are undefeated on the year.
The Panthers are a very talented club with at least 9 solid players, whom are playing much better together. Individual sacrifice is the key for this teams overall success. Hickey and company are a very dangerous group.
The Rams have a little bit of everything on their roster and have really bought into to their new system. Copeland has emerged as a tough leader who brings a lot of moxie to the court. Bowsher and Scott rematches are on the horizon to determine the top dog in the City League.
After a rocky start, the Wildcats have won 9 in a row. Jeremy McDonald is doing a terrific job, in his first year, of raising the level of expectations with his kids and they are performing.
The emergence of Kenny Coleman-Graham has been the difference for the Knights this year. The supporting caste needs to be more consistent and Kenny will have to manage his fouls better for SFS to hold this spot.
Don’t look now, but after losing his entire starting line-up, Bruce Smith has the Cougars right back in the NLL championship hunt. Senior, Matt Schaffer just might be the best catch and shoot guy in the region.
I felt this team was grossly under-rated in the pre-season polls, being picked 5th in the NLL. The Wildcats must have agreed, running off 9 straight to start the year on their way to a 10-2 overall record thus far.
Love the mix of talent and athleticism on this team. Football success led to a late start to hoops season and likely the inconsistent play. The Irish are starting to click though winning 4 straight. The return of Triplett should help their perimeter scoring as well.
10a. Swanton
The Bulldogs have won 7 in a row and 10 of 11. This veteran club has 3 stars who can lead them on any given night in: Gilsdorf, McComb, and Oakes.
10b. Ottawa Hills
All they do is win. The Green Bears are 12-1 overall. Probably not better than Bowsher or Findlay who are on the outside looking in but absolutely deserve to be in this poll. Key rematch with Toledo Christian on 1/29.
League Rankings
The league races are heating up and here is how they stack up against each other this season:
Top College Prospects
There is a plethora of talent in NW Ohio that will surely keep the college scouts on high alert. Though several seniors have already committed, here are the top unsigned talents:
Northern Buckeye (8), Northern Lakes League (8), Northwest Ohio (9), TRAC (8), Toledo Area, (8) Toledo City (6) – 47 total teams considered
Disclaimer: This poll is the sole opinion of Coach Darren Kohne who has over 20 years of experience coaching, scouting, recruiting, and evaluating at the high school, collegiate and professional levels. This is an unofficial poll produced in good nature to help provide positive recognition and shed light on the quality basketball teams in NW Ohio as well as promote spirited interscholastic competition.
Courtesy: freedigitalphotos.net
NW Ohio High School Hoops Power Rankings
Presented by @CoachDarrenK – Twitter/Youtube
1/11/16 – Poll #2
In The Hunt: Scott, Southview, Toledo Christian, Wauseon, Swanton
Who’s Hot: Northview, Elmwood, St. John’s
Tough Week: Springfield
Northern Buckeye (8), Northern Lakes League (8), Northwest Ohio (9), TRAC (8), Toledo Area, (8) Toledo City (6) – 47 total teams considered
Disclaimer: This poll is the sole opinion of Coach Darren Kohne who has over 20 years of experience coaching, scouting, recruiting, and evaluating at the high school, collegiate and professional levels. This is an unofficial poll produced in good nature to help provide positive recognition and shed light on the quality basketball teams in NW Ohio as well as promote spirited interscholastic competition.
NW Ohio High School Hoops Power Rankings (Boys)
Presented by @CoachDarrenK
1/4/16 – Poll #1
First Four Out: Swanton, Bowsher, St. Francis, Toledo Christian,
Biggest Surprises: Springfield, Cardinal Stritch, Woodward
Expecting More: Rossford, Bowsher, Perrysburg
Northern Buckeye (8), NLL (8), NWOAL (9), TRAC (8), TAAC, (8) Toledo City League (6) – 47 total teams considered
Disclaimer: This poll is the sole opinion of Coach Darren Kohne who has over 20 years of experience coaching, scouting, recruiting, and evaluating at the high school, collegiate and professional levels. This is an unofficial poll produced in good nature to help provide positive recognition and shed light on the quality basketball teams in NW Ohio as well as promote spirited interscholastic competition.
It was late fall during my 5th grade year of elementary school and my closest friend from class suggested that I try out for the basketball team with him and some of our other classmates. Now, I had shot around a couple times on a 6-foot hoop that my neighbors had nailed to their tree, but had never played in even a pick up game of basketball at that point in my life.
Day 1 of my road trip consisted of 12 straight hours of driving departing form Toledo, OH and ending at the Mississippi state line Welcome Center.
Courtesy: freedigitalphotos.net
Join me as I start this road trip journey across the country! Now road trips can come in many different fashions, the most typical include a car load of friends with snacks, junk food, and good music in route to a vacation destination, out of town party, music festival, or sporting event. Continue reading
No matter where you are from or where you are now, there is always something special about spending time in the place where you grew up! You may be a permanent resident there or maybe you only get to visit for a couple days each year! Whatever your story, I am sure that you get that special sentimental feeling when the thought of your childhood home pops into your mind. Continue reading
Coach Darren Kohne 