FINAL ABV RANKINGS - FEBRUARY 15, 2010
This is the final listing of rankings for the 2009-10 season. The regionals will sort out the rest of the teams. The observations so far this season is that no team is safe from the upset bug so everyone is on upset alert. Meridian and Breese Central have topped the rankings since January and they remain the ones to beat to reach Peoria. But there are a lot of teams capable of ending their respective dreams of reaching Peoria. I hope you enjoyed looking at these rankings this season. Now the post-season – or the real season – begins next Monday.
Salem Supersectional Area "Top Ten" Class 1A Rankings
1. MOUNDS MERIDIAN (23-1)
Unfortunately the schedule hasn’t been very tough since the Holiday Tournament. It will be interesting to see the Bobcats try and defend their home turf.
2. WALTONVILLE (19-6)
Speaking of schedules – the Spartans have played a “who’s who” of high school hoops. The seniors need to feel the urgency of the moment.
3. WOODLAWN (19-5)
The Cardinals have been here before and know the route to Peoria. After a tough start - they have won They could be playing in the Salem Super in three weeks.
4. CARRIER MILLS (21-4)
Coach Motsinger’s crew – though probably not as talented as last season’s sectional finalist – have enough weapons to make it to the Eldorado Sectional.
5. WAYNE CITY (17-7).
The Indians gave Woodlawn a game for a half and then shocked Okawville on the road last Saturday. They will enter the regional believing they can cut down the nets.
6. NORRIS CITY-OMAHA-ENFIELD (16-6)
NCOE needs to do one big thing the rest of the season. Set the alarm clock up an hour. Starting slow like they have this season will send them home early in the regional.
7. CRAB ORCHARD (21-3)
This team has a real shot at winning a regional title behind some solid senior leaders and a pair of outstanding sophomores. Their schedule – like Carrier Mills' – doesn’t help them.
8. STEELEVILLE (12-12)
The up then down Warriors are currently way up after besting Trico and Gibault Catholic. This team is suddenly a factor in the Trico Regional.
9. NEOGA (15-9)
Snow apparently cost them a week but the Indians have some good players ready for a loaded regional at Hutsonville-Palestine. They have Stew-Stras and Marshall to close out the regs.
10. NORTH CLAY (15-5)
In spite of losing some snow games that won’t be made up – the boys from Louisville stack up as the top threat to Woodlawn at the Farina South Central Regional.
10A. RED HILL (11-10)
Yes they have played a tough schedule but they should be way better than 11-10. They are the top seed at the Edwards County Regional but there are at least three teams there who could take them down.
HONORABLE MENTION - ALPHABETICALLY
Altamont (15-8), Brownstown (14-9), Cairo (11-13), Cisne (15-11), Cumberland (17-6), Dieterich (12-10), Edwards County (14-11), Goreville (19-6), Hutsonville-Palestine (14-11), New Athens (14-9), Odin (17-6), Patoka (16-7), Sesser-Valier (17-9), Okawville (12-12) Trico (17-9).
West Frankfort Supersectional Area "Top Ten" Class 2A Rankings
1. BREESE CENTRAL (24-3)
All three of the losses have been to 3A teams. The Cougars’ schedule has been tough enough. They got to the Super last season and could get there again baring a huge upset.
2. MURPHYSBORO (22-2)
The Devils have had earned their ranking this season – winning three tournaments and a ton of respect. Murphysboro has never made it to the “big house.” This might be the year.
3. DU QUOIN (21-6)
The Indians just completed perhaps the best weekend in hoops history at the school by beating both Pinckneyville and Nashville. They have the talent to go a long way.
4. HARRISBURG (19-6)
The Bulldogs – minus the Robinson game – have been right there against everyone on the slate. If the Dawgs continue to make the 3’s they could earn some postseason hardware.
5. PINCKNEYVILLE (20-5)
The Panthers had a tough go off it against DQ but there is time to get things in order for a postseason jaunt. Playing in a winnable regional helps the psyche.
6. NASHVILLE (18-7)
They have a tough draw in the postseason in a regional at Breese Central. Coach Weathers will have them ready for the run but does he have the horses to get it done?
7. METRO-EAST LUTHERAN (22-7)
This is your sleeper of sleepers in this group. The talent is there to challenge everyone on this page. Its regional is winnable. The sectional could be interesting.
8. MASSAC COUNTY (15-11)
Don’t look now but the Patriots are healthy and rolling. Coach Hosman knew back in December that when they got well – things would get better. They have. They are a reat threat.
9. HERRIN (20-9)
Despite all of the problems – the Tigers have won 20-games and are part of the tough regional. David Mallow has been very consistent. They should get a shot at DQ in the regional.
10. ANNA-JONESBORO (15-11)
These Wildcats are just athletic enough to give a good team fits. They have lacked a lot of consistency that others on this list have shown.
10A. SPARTA (16-10)
The Bulldogs have had a great season and still will in the lower half of their conference. Sparta is the toughest hurdle for Pinckneyville at the Chester Regional.
HONORABLE MENTION - ALPHABETICALLY
Carmi-White County (15-11), Columbia (18-8), East Alton-Wood River (20-6), Greenville (16-11), Gibault Catholic (10-15), Hamilton County (14-12), Marquette Catholic (11-15), Pana (18-6), Red Bud (13-13), Roxana (14-12), Staunton (14-10), Vandalia (15-9) and Wesclin (13-13).