As January comes to a close, the race for a GMC title becomes even more intense. OHSAA playoff basketball is just around the corner, so let’s discuss the GMC conference from the bottom to the top.

10) Colerain Cardinals 2-10 (0-10)

To say it’s been ugly for Colerain would be an understatement. The Cardinals began the season with two non-conference wins, sparking optimism around a potential revival of the basketball program that has struggled in recent years. However, conference play has been a wake-up call for Colerain, as they’ve lost 10 in a row, with the closest result being a 10-point loss to Lakota East. The Cardinals couldn’t even keep up with the 2nd worst team in the GMC, losing to Middletown by 23. It looks as though Colerain will go without a win in conference play for the third consecutive season.

9) Middletown Middies 1-9 (1-9)

Middletown has had a strange year so far, having played zero non-conference games due to cancellations, the Middies have had to run the gauntlet in GMC play. They have had to play Princeton once, and both Lakota East and West twice. Their lone win came against the bottom-feeder Colerain Cardinals, a game in which they dominated 75-52. Despite the 1-9 record, Middletown has shown it can compete with the GMC, losing in overtime to Sycamore and by 11 to Lakota West. Mario Rose and Keith Daniels are both averaging over 13 PPG (points per game). Don’t be shocked if the Middies catch a GMC contender off guard at some point this season.

8) Sycamore Aviators 6-8 (3-7)

Sycamore hasn’t been terrible, but they haven’t been great, either. They’ve beaten the teams they should beat, and they’ve lost the games they were expected to lose. The highlight of the season is the 59-44 victory over Lakota East, where standout freshman Isaiah Hill had a career-high 32 points. The loss of senior Ryan Lynn due to injury at the beginning of the season was a major blow for the Aviators. Lynn was averaging 12.7 PPG through 3 games to start the season. The Achilles heel for Sycamore throughout the season has been their lack of offense outside of Isaiah Hill, who averages 15.3 PPG, with their next-leading scorer, Michael Johnson, averaging 6.7 PPG.

7) Hamilton Big Blue 9-7 (5-5)

A couple of weeks ago, Hamilton would’ve been a bit higher on the list, but the leader of the team, Jordon Johnson-Perdomo, has not played in the previous 3 games. If Perdomo is out for the season, it’s a huge loss, as he averages 15.3 PPG and 3.7 APG (assists per game)—no other player on the roster averages double digits. Since the injury, Hamilton has gone 1-2, including a 61-22 loss to Lakota West and a struggle win over Middletown, 62-57. Hamilton must hope for a healthy Perdomo if they want to make a run late in the season.

6) Fairfield Indians 6-9 (3-7)

Fairfield–despite their 6-9 record- is a sneaky team in the GMC that has been playing much better basketball as of late. The Indians began the season 1-5 and have since gone 5-4. They played Lakota West tough–staying within 2 points heading into halftime. They also picked up a massive overtime comeback victory over Lakota East, 50-48–a game that they trailed by 15 entering the 4th quarter. Following that win, they took down Mason by 17 without their 2nd and 3rd leading scorers, Kaiden and Peyton Jones. While they have had their struggles, Fairfield should feel optimistic heading into February with how they’ve been playing as of late.

5) Lakota East Thunderhawks 10-5 (6-4)

Following a demoralizing loss to Fairfield at home, the Thunderhawks have rattled off three straight wins, including a 52-50 victory over St. Xavier. They are getting hot at the right time, with the big rivalry match-up against Lakota West coming up next week. Much like last year with Trey Perry, East centers its offense mainly around one player, that being Brady Bowman. The sophomore averages 16.1 PPG (5th in GMC) and 4 APG (2nd in GMC). If East wants to pull off the big upset over West, they’ll have to get everyone involved on offense. 

4) Oak Hills Highlanders 10-5 (6-4)

Oak Hills has had no problem dominating the bottom-feeders of the GMC, but has struggled to contend with the best of the best. AJ Dean averages 17.2 PPG (3rd in GMC), and forward Cordell Ball leads the GMC in RPG (rebounds per game) with 8.6. Oak Hills also has the 2nd-best defense statistically in the GMC, allowing just 43.3 PPG. 

3) Mason Comets 10-4 (7-3)

After going 4-19 last year, Mason brought in first-year coach CJ Fleming, who has taken essentially the same roster from last year and turned the Comets into a legit contender in the GMC. Following a common trend throughout the GMC, Mason relies heavily on their star Brycen Johnson, who averages 17.4 PPG (2nd in GMC). They also rely heavily on their defense, which gives up the fewest PPG in the GMC (40.4). After a blistering 7-0 start to the season, Mason has cooled down a bit, going 3-4 in their past 7.

2) Princeton Vikings 13-1 (9-1)

Princeton has steadily risen to the top of the GMC this season. After losing to Mason in the 2nd game of the season, they’ve won twelve straight. Princeton’s identity has been their ball movement and three-point shooting; running the offense is Jordan Johnson, who averages 4.9 APG (1st in GMC), and Princeton as a team has the best 3-pt percentage in the GMC at 38.3%. Princeton has four players who average double digits, including the leading scorer in the GMC, A’mire Gill, who’s averaging 18.8 PPG. Princeton has its sights set on the big matchup with Lakota West on February 6th, a game that will likely determine the GMC title.

1) Lakota West Firebirds 15-1 (10-0)

Lakota West has been the epitome of success this season, with their only loss coming at the hands of a last-second buzzer-beater to a top prep school, La Lumiere. The Firebirds have dominated every team in the conference, winning by double digits in all of their GMC games. West poses the most efficient offense in the GMC, with three players–Roman Combs, Josh Tyson, and Bryce Curry in the top 5 of field goal percentage in the GMC. West also averages 65.9 PPG as a team–the most in the GMC. The Firebirds stifle their opponents defensively, forcing teams to shoot only 37.2% against them, also best in the GMC. With the way West is playing right now, a run to a state title could be in the works.