What to watch in Toledo high school sports: Jan. 12-18

Looking to catch a high school game this weekend, whether it’s basketball or wrestling? Some of the best teams in the area will be meeting on the hardwood and the mats.

Friday, January 12

St. John's Jesuit and St. Francis continue their rivalry on the hardwood Friday night.

Boys basketball: St. Francis at St. John’s, 7:30 p.m.: Host St. John’s (7-2, 4-0 TRAC) is the defending conference champion, preseason favorite to repeat, and ranked No. 6 in Ohio in Division I. The rival Knights (8-2, 4-1), who were picked to finish second in the TRAC, look to snap a 16-game losing streak against the Titans. St. John’s coach Ed Heintschel would pick up career victory No. 699 if the Titans extend their rivalry run.

Boys basketball: Anthony Wayne at Northview, 7:30 p.m.: Visiting Anthony Wayne (7-3, 4-1 NLL) looks to hand the unbeaten Wildcats (10-0, 5-0) their first loss of the season and stay in the league title chase in the second half of a varsity girls-boys doubleheader. The Generals’ girls tip off against Northview at 6 p.m.

Friday-Saturday, January 11-12

Wrestling: Maumee Bay Classic at Clay High School: The second largest regular-season tournament in Ohio in terms of participating teams with 51, the MBC opens up with first-round matches during Session 1 on Friday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.. Session 2 is Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and the event concludes with championship finals at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. Wauseon is the defending team champion.

Saturday, January 12

Boys basketball: Lakewood St. Edward at St. John’s, 7:30 p.m.: This battle (weather permitting) between two of Ohio’s top programs has the potential for a significant milestone for 39th-year Titans coach Heintschel. If St. John’s prevails in its TRAC showdown with rival St. Francis on Friday, the Titans have a chance to earn career win No. 700 for Heintschel with a win over St. Ed, the state’s No. 9-ranked team in Division I.

Monday, January 15

Boys basketball: MLK Classic tripleheader at Waite High School: At 1 p.m., Bowsher vs. Washington (Pa.) First Love Christian Academy; 3 p.m., Scott vs. Delaware (Ohio) Hayes; 5 p.m., Waite vs. Zion (Ill.) Zion-Benton Township.

Tuesday, January 16

Girls basketball: Perrysburg at Southview, 7:30 p.m.: A showdown for first place in the Northern Lakes League between the visiting Yellow Jackets (9-2, 7-0 NLL), who are defending league champions and favored to repeat this season, and Southview’s greatly-improved Cougars (9-1, 6-1).

Thursday, January 18

Girls basketball: Lake at Elmwood, 7:30 p.m.: This a battle for first place in the Northern Buckeye Conference, with preseason NBC favorite Lake (10-2, 6-1 NBC) taking to the road in a bid to claim a first-place share with the host Royals (10-1, 7-0).

Contact Steve Junga at sjunga@theblade.com, 419-724-6461, or on Twitter @JungaBlade.