TOP OF THE CROP

Girls basketball

1: (1) Gilmour 10-2

2: (2) Perry 8-0

3: (3) North 7-2

4: (6) Kirtland 9-0

5: (7) Geneva 9-1

6: (8) Cornerstone 7-3

7: (4) Kenston 7-3

8: (5) Mentor 4-7

9: (9) Brush 4-6

10: (NR) Cardinal 8-4

Dropped out: Mayfield Watch list: Mayfield

Crop comments: Gilmour dropped a game in a Pennsylvania tournament over the holidays, but Coach John Curran’s team is still the head and shoulders No. 1 . ... Perry topped Madison this week. Claire Dolan is the leader, but there’s more depth here than there has been in recent years. ... North stays at No. 3 and has won six in a row since a 1-2 start. A battle with Kenston looms — and that’s going to be a big proving ground for both teams . ... Kirtland moves up to No. 4 this week. After an easy discarding of Cuyahoga Heights, there are doubts anyone in the CVC can come close to threatening the Hornets. ... Geneva moves up to No. 5 this week after a strong performance against Euclid. Abby Carter and Hailey Peoples might be the best 1-2 punch in the area . ... Cornerstone got 14 points each from the Cloonan sisters in a win over Cardinal Mooney. Playing bigger schools in the regular season should make for an easier postseason experience . ... Kenston lost to Walsh Jesuit this week and dropped from No. 4 to No. 7. The Bombers can easily make it up with a win over North, though. A great turnaround for the Bombers this year. ... Mentor tumbles to No. 8. The 4-7 record isn’t impressive, but the Cardinals also play a tougher schedule than many. Still, the team wants to finish more games as the new year turns . ... Brush stays at No. 9 this week. Danajah Sanders has been impressive this season. This will be a dangerous WRC team that is just starting to jell . ... Cardinal deserves a crack at the Top 10 after an 8-4 start. Coach Luke Kruse has the Huskies playing their best ball in a number of years.

Noted: Records as of Jan. 2