02/14/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE – Happy Saint Valentine's Day everyone.

The massacre was last week, however, for several highly ranked and regarded teams bit the dust in some important games.

As I've said for years, the roller coaster effect of high school basketball happens every season.

Teams ride the 'highs' and the 'lows' of a season.

It happens mainly because teams play too many games, but that is a story for another time.

Columbia was shown at home that they have more work to do after losing to Breese Central.

Then those Cougars had to survive a scare at Freeburg, narrowly beating the Midgets in OT.

It wasn't a good week at Pinckneyville, either.

The Panthers went on the road and lost consecutive games to Nashville and Williamsville (Riverton Shootout) and now they will need to regroup for a postseason run.

Add Massac County to the list of the teams that had rough weekends.

The Patriots got beat on consecutive nights against Herrin and Benton (at home) by a combined 37 points.

After losing the week before to Mater Dei, Central responded with those wins mentioned about and now top the ABV list.

Teutopolis is another of the teams that has been on the roller coaster this winter playing a pretty salty schedule.

Following a three-game skid two weeks ago, the Wooden Shoes have responded with five consecutive victories.

Benton might be playing the best ball in the South right now.

The Rangers, after having some injury issues, are rolling.

Identical to T-Town, a three-game losing streak was followed by five consecutive wins.

Vienna could be a team that surprises someone in the postseason.

The Eagles basically wrapped up their Black Diamond Conference West Division title by thumping rival Goreville on the road Saturday.

This sharp shooting team is in a regional at Harrisburg that could be had.

They would likely rematch with Carterville, who is a win away from going undefeated in the SIRR Mississippi Division.

The Lions will have to top Pinckneyville on the road this week to 'run the table' although the division title is now theirs outright regardless of the season ending game.

Nashville, after a slow start to the season, has played well in the new year with winning 12-of-14 games.

Look for the Hornets to be a major factor next week when the postseason begins.

Carmi-White County is another of the teams that have a nice record but the strength of schedule isn't on par with most of the teams on this list.

However they are beating the ones on their schedule, although a loss at Eldorado last week kept them from an unbeaten run in the BDC East.

If you're looking for a club that could surprise some people in the state tournament coming up, Murphysboro might be your choice.

The Red Devils haven't had a great season but this coach and program always seem to be in the mix and if they end up in the sectional ABV won't be surprised.

The Indians hosted the annual CIC-NTC Shootout and proceeded to get drilled by Tuscola 64-38.

Although in the big picture it that isn't that important, the Indians need to get back on track with a key game against St. Anthony coming up this week and the regional starting next.

The loss, however, could be a good omen for Coach Niebrugge and his club.

Last season Macon Meridian came into that shootout game state-ranked/ABV number-one and Altamont ambushed them.

Those same Hawks three weeks later were in the super-sectional.

Perhaps the Indians can rebound and do the same? We shall see.

Speaking of the shootout, Casey-Westfield also got beat by Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg.

Sometimes these tough schedules catch up with you and the Warriors will need to turn the page and get back to business this week.

Effingham St. Anthony also plays a tough schedule and they dropped a game to 3A Triad at a shootout at Teutopolis on Saturday.

Tuscola makes a big move this week as head coach Jason Bozarth and his club were ready to roll at Altamont on Saturday.

North Clay is another of the clubs that have tackled tough games against non-conference talent and they appear ready to make a move.

They are part of what might be the toughest of the 1A Regionals down South at South Central.

Centralia Christ Our Rock Lutheran has the best record off all the ABV area teams with just a single defeat at Alton Marquette.

At 27-1 the record looks splendid but the Silver Stallions have only played nine teams with winning records so far and the tenth will be Tuesday night at St. Elmo/Brownstown.

Nokomis is another of the teams that could make things interesting as they host the regional that Altamont is in.

The Redskins narrowly lost to the Indians back on February 3 and closed out their schedule with win last night over Tri-City to finish 25-6.

Crab Orchard has scored a lot of points and added a win over Cairo Monday night.

The strength of schedule is lacking but they beat Mounds Meridian last week and secured the top seed in their own regional.

Wayne City had a four game winning streak snapped by Carmi-White County.

The Indians tough non-conference schedule should have them ready to make a move.

Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg picked that important win over C-W and the Hatchets could get a rematch with the Warriors in the regional title game at Cumberland.

This is the final ABV rankings this season as the regionals, sectionals and super-sectionals will take us back to Champaign.