TOP OF THE CROP Boys basketball 1: (1) Richmond Heights (4-5) 2: (2) Mentor (6-4) 3: (3) NDCL (9-3) 4: (4) Cornerstone (9-4) 5: (5) VASJ (8-5) 6: (6) Gilmour (8-5) 7: (7) Hawken (9-5) 8: (8) Perry (8-2) 9: (9) Brush (8-5) 10: (NR) Riverside (8-3) Dropped out: University (8-4) Watch list: University, Geneva (7-4), North (7-5), West Geauga (9-4) Related Articles High school boys basketball stats for Jan. 16 News-Herald players of the week for Jan. 16 Riverside vs. Kenston boys basketball: Beavers cast aside bus trouble, blitz Bombers Mayfield vs. South boys basketball: Wildcats use third-quarter run, late free throws to lock up 58-51 victory High school scoreboard for Jan. 14 Crop comments: Like last season, Richmond Heights is playing the best of the best and competing with top-tier teams including Reyonldsburg and Garfield Heights. The Spartans have their home opener on Jan. 22. … Mentor hit a speed bump in its schedule and fell to fifth in the GCC. The Cardinals look to regroup with four straight at home. … NDCL is narrowing the gap to the top two and a comeback win over Hawken showed grit. The Lions have a big road test with the first of two contests against Ursuline, which eliminated them from the postseason a year ago. … The Cornerstone Christian offense is humming with six straight wins. It is averaging 81.2 points per game. Warrensville Heights and Mentor will be tests. … VASJ has won its past four by 20 points or more. The last eight games on the Vikings’ schedule are against teams with regional aspirations. … Gilmour put two victories together, including winning the Battle of SOM against University. Tests against Hoban and Avon will push the Lancers. … For three quarters, Hawken looked strong against NDCL, leading by double digits. Now the Hawks need to focus on closing out games. A trip to Perry on Jan. 24 serves as a de facto CVC Chagrin title game. The Hawks have a two-game lead on the Pirates. … Brush feels like it’s on the cusp of turning a corner. The Arcs lost to Sandusky and Maple Heights by one possession. Next up are strong offenses in Cleveland Heights, Cleveland Central Catholic and University. … Riverside is one of the hottest teams right now in Division II. After a 1-3 start, the Beavers have rattled off seven straight, including a double-overtime win over Mayfield. The Beavers are averaging 69.2 points per game.