TOP OF THE CROP

Boys basketball

1: (1) Lorain 22-6 2: (4) Bay 20-7 3: (9) Elyria Catholic 12-11 4: (3) Olmsted Falls 22-3 5: (2) Vermilion 20-5 6: (5) Elyria 10-13 7: (7) Fairview 20-5 8: (6) Keystone 19-6 9: (8) Wellington 19-4 10: (10) Clearview 16-7

Watch list: Avon (1310), Avon Lake (13-10), Columbia (12-12), Midview (14-11), North Ridgeville (12-12), Open Door (12-12)

Crop comments: The number in parentheses is the final ranking for the team last season and record listed is the final record from last year.

... All eyes are on Lorain as the Titans return four starters from last season’s state semifinal team and add a pair of talented transfers. The team has set its sights on Columbus again this season . ... Bay advanced to a regional final last season before a heartbreaking buzzer-beater loss. The Rockets lost 2017-18 Morning Journal Player of the Year, R.J. Sunahara, but return eight seniors including one of The Journal area’s top point guards in Erik Painter . ... Elyria Catholic lost a tough district semifinal to Beachwood, and despite losing 2017-18 Mr. Basketball, Dorian Crutcher, return four starters and have size across the roster . ... Olmsted Falls will once again be battling for a Southwestern Conference championship as the Bulldogs return four starters including some of The Journal area’s top scorers . ... Vermilion will likely be in contention for a Sandusky Bay Conference title for the third-straight season with nearly its entire starting lineup returning including senior Mason Montgomery . ... Elyria doesn’t return much experience in its lineup but the Pioneers are always one of the better teams thanks to an always-tough Greater Cleveland Conference schedule . ... Fairview has one of the best guards in junior Luke Howes and should be in the mix for a Patriot Athletic Conference title. ... Keystone has won a PAC championship three of the last four seasons and returns three starters including talented guards Kevin and Matt Mealwitz . ... Wellington graduated one of last season’s breakout stars, Max Joppeck, but has a strong shooting team despite a general lack of size and will be in contention for a PAC title . ... Clearview returns three starters and will use speed and depth to contend for a conference championship.