ABV Rankings - January 31, 2011

ABV RANKINGS - JANUARY 31, 2011

At last the Mid-Winter Snowstorm of tournaments have melted away and it is time to get serious about the final push of conference races and secure a spot in the postseason. Trico and Murphysboro keep the top slot but the Red Devils get to share its slot with a surging Breese Central squad. Woodlawn is biding their time in finishing out the regular season and should win its third consecutive MTC regular season crown. Steeleville makes the biggest move with a key win at the Pinckneyville Showcase.

Salem Supersectional Area "Top Ten" Class 1A Rankings

1. TRICO (21-2) * 2-0
Two more wins for the Pioneers in the BDC all but wrapped up the league title. But this crew is eying a much bigger prize in March.
2. WOODLAWN (19-3) * 2-0
Another pair of MTC wins later and the Cardinals are cruising. They will hook up with Sesser-Valier on Tuesday night weather permitting.
3. MERIDIAN (19-4) * 2-0
Picked up a pair of wins this past week against Dongola and Benton. The Bobcats could get a test next Saturday in the GEC/SEC Shootout against Crab Orchard.
4. STEELEVILLE (13-8) * 2-0
The Warriors were impressive in taking down Sesser-Valier at the Pinckneyville Showcase on Saturday. They are offensively scary and when they defend well they are very dangerous.
5. WAYNE CITY (17-2) * 1-0
They should have 20-wins by the time that they get a second chance at Woodlawn on February 8. They will be a tough out in the regional at Woodlawn.
6. OKAWVILLE (11-11) * 2-3
Hung on for a tough win over Goreville on Saturday. Coach Kraus has some young players that are learning the ropes one game at a time.
7. CRAB ORCHARD (20-2) 3-0
Held off a pretty good Galatia club in the GEC title game. Despite strength of schedule issues the Trojans are in the regional title picture.
8. GOREVILLE (14-6) * 1-1
Nearly rallied past Okawville on Saturday. The Blackcats will likely get the number two seed in the upcoming regional.
9. EGPYTIAN (14-5) * 2-0
Their next five regular season games are on the road. The Pharaohs have gotten better since the beginning of the season.
10. ALTAMONT (14-6) 2-1
The Indians won the National Trail Conference Tournament consolation title last Saturday. Coach Doug Hill always does a good job getting his club ready for the postseason.
HONORABLE MENTION (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
Beecher City, Cairo, Carrier Mills *, Chester *, Cumberland, Dieterich, Galatia *, Norris City-Omaha-Enfield *, Gallatin County *, Neoga, Oblong, Odin, Red Hill, Sesser-Valier and Stewardson-Strasburg.

West Frankfort Supersectional Area "Top Ten" Class 2A Rankings

1. MURPHYSBORO (24-0) * 2-0
No shame in sharing the top spot this week. ABV believes there isn't much to separate the top two. The only way to settle this is a March 8 meeting at WF.
1A. BREESE CENTRAL (20-2) * 2-0
On the strength of a blowout win over a team Murphysboro struggled with - the Cougars get to share of the ABV pie. This team's scoring has come around.
3. NASHVILLE (17-3) * 2-0
The Hornets were road warriors last weekend and will prove to be a tough out. The makeup game with Murphysboro is February 16.
4. DU QUOIN (17-4) * 1-1
The Indians ran into a brick wall last Saturday against BC. Coach Sveda will need to get this crew refocused heading into the postseason.
5. PANA (15-3) 1-0
Coach Bowker's teams usually can get up and down the floor and will defend. Should win their regional to dance with the Nashville-Central winner at EA-WR.
6. HARRISBURG (20-4) * 2-0
Picked up a pair of wins over Massac County and Carterville. The Bulldogs get one more shot at Murphysboro on February 18 to close the regular season.
7. MASSAC COUNTY (13-8) * 0-1
Lost at Harrisburg over the past weekend. Athletic team has lost several close games. Coach Hosman would love a third game with Harrisburg in the regional.
8. WESCLIN (16-6) * 1-0
Big games with Carlyle and at home against Breese Central this week in the Cahokia. The Warriors will have a shot at some redemption against the Cougars.
9. COLUMBIA (14-8) 1-0
Coach Sandstrom's club gets a shot at Nashville this Saturday on the road. The Eagles are up right now after big win over Gibault Catholic.
10. PINCKNEYVILLE * (16-6) 1-1
When the Panthers are hitting their shots they can be very good. When they don't, they drop games they should win. “Dr. Jekyll. Meet Mr. Hyde.”
HONORABLE MENTION (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
Anna-Jonesboro *, Benton *, Carmi-White County *, Carlyle, Carterville, Fairfield, Gibault Catholic *, Greenville, Herrin *, Litchfield, Marquette Catholic, Roxana, Sparta *, Staunton, and Vandalia.