High school girls basketball Top of the Crop for Jan. 30

Jan. 30—TOP OF THE CROP

Girls basketball

1: (1) Gilmour 14-3

2: (2) Riverside 16-0

3: (3) Perry 15-4

4: (4) Brush 10-7

5: (5) Richmond Heights 16-2

6: (7) Madison 11-7

7: (6) Mentor 9-10

8: (9) North 12-6

9: (8) Chagrin Falls 15-4

10: (10) VASJ 14-3

Watch List: Lake Catholic 13-6, West Geauga 12-7

Crop comments: Gilmour continues its reign atop the Top of the Crop. The Lancers have a tough ending to the regular season and are going to be a nightmare matchup for teams in the Division II tournament. ... Riverside stays at No. 2 and can wrap up an undefeated WRC title with wins over South, Madison and Chardon. ... Perry stays at No. 3 after clinching its seventh straight CVC (Lake Division) title. The back-to-back games with North and Brush are going to be good tournament primers for the Pirates. ... Brush stays at No. 4. The Arcs play John Hay, Stow ad Perry to end the regular season before heading into Division I tournament play. ... Richmond Heights stays at No. 5 after clinching the CVC Metro title. A Jan. 30 game at state-ranked Laurel is the ultimate litmus test for Coach White's young Spartans. ... Madison (11-7) moves up to No. 6 ahead of Mentor (9-10) this week, but that would be a tremendous game if the two teams met. The Blue Streaks are off until a Feb. 8 game against Riverside, while the Cardinals have a tough run to end the regular season, facing Medina, Brunswick and Kenston. ... North (12-6) jumps Chagrin Falls (15-4) this week for the No. 8 spot. The Rangers have a higher schedule strength, but the Tigers are very good and young. ... VASJ holds down No. 10. The Vikings are undefeated at home, but end the regular season against Akron SVSM and Richmond Heights, both on the road. ... We'll take some heat for leaving Lake Catholic and West Geauga on the Watch List, for sure. They'll both be tough tournament outs, especially the Cougars in Division III.