By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor 

Well, the weather outside is frightful … but inside the gym it’s warm as ever, especially for teams able to avoid the freeze outs that have made scheduling and re-scheduling an adventure this month.

This week’s list includes a number of teams from northern Michigan, where they are used to braving the cold – and some from downstate that probably feel they are doing it more than usual lately. 

1. Bellaire (9-0, Class D) – The Eagles are among three contenders atop the Ski Valley Conference, and a win over Mancelona this week would give Bellaire at least a one-game edge on the other two.

2. Grand Ledge (7-2, Class A) – After winning four games two seasons ago and eight in 2012-13, the Comets lead the Capital Area Activities Conference Blue thanks to a six-point win over favorite Holt on Friday. 

3. Detroit Osborn (9-3, Class A) – The Knights opened this season 1-3 but haven’t lost since mid-December and are 5-0 in the Detroit PSL East Division 2.

4. Crystal Falls Forest Park (9-0, Class D) – The Trojans edged third-place Carney-Nadeau by four points to keep pace with Powers North Central atop the Skyline Conference. 

5. Hillman (10-1, Class D) – The Tigers have won three straight by at least 24 points, including a nonleague victory over Posen, the other North Star League team without a loss this winter (they meet in league play Feb. 27).

6. Ironwood (11-1, Class C) – The Red Devils’ lone loss this season was to a team from Wisconsin; 10 of 11 wins have come by double digits. 

7. Fulton-Middleton (7-1, Class D) – The Pirates opened up the Central Michigan Athletic Conference race by edging leader and favorite Pewamo-Westphalia by three to move into a tie for the top spot.

8. Suttons Bay (7-1, Class D) – The Norsemen haven’t lost since opening night and lead the Northwest Conference with second-place Benzie Central coming up next week.

9. Belleville (7-3, Class A) – The Tigers must play catch-up behind Western Wayne Blue leader Romulus, but notched a nice overtime win over Southeastern Conference White leader Ypsilanti Lincoln on Thursday. 

10. Lansing Eastern (6-5, Class A) – The Quakers bounced back from a four-game losing streak to beat CAAC Blue contenders Okemos and Lansing Sexton last week.

PHOTO: Detroit Osborn, here against Detroit Collegiate Prep, leads its division of the Detroit Public School League. (Photo courtesy of the Detroit PSL).