ABV RANKINGS - FEBRUARY 14, 2011
FINAL REGULAR SEASON RANKINGS
This will be the last of the rankings for the 2010-11 season. The state tournament will take care of the rest. As writen in the Preseason Rankings - ABV stands by the projections of a Woodlawn-Trico supersectional meeting at Salem along with a Murphysboro-Breese Central matchup at the West Frankfort super. The biggest fly in the ointment in 2A will be Nashville because of the way they can defend and that they will host Central at their regional. Sleeper teams in 1A are Meridian and Okawville. Meridian can run the floor and finish and Okawville's resume of games speaks for itself.
A quick shout out to a pair of teams who got into the honorable mention this week. Coach Herb Williams and the Sandoval Blackhawks have quietly won 17-games this season and Hardin County has moved above the .500 mark and should be a threat in hosting their own regional next week.
Salem Supersectional Area "Top Ten" Class 1A Rankings
1. TRICO (25-2) * 3-0
Romped to a trio of wins over Christopher, Steeleville and Fairfield. The Pioneers are primed for a big postseason run against a regional field minus Okawville from last season.
2. WOODLAWN (22-3) * 2-0
Big win over Wayne City wrapped up another Midland Trail Conference crown. The Cards have owned this league since joining it three seasons ago.
3. MERIDIAN (21-5) * 0-1
Lost to Missouri powerhouse Caruthersville on Tuesday and didn't play Shawnee on Friday. The Bobcats didn't get the top seed at Goreville which could be a blessing.
4. OKAWVILLE (16-11) * 3-0
Laying in the postseason weeds are these Rockets. Strength of schedule is a big key to their position in these rankings. Okawville is on a five-game winning streak.
5 . STEELEVILLE (15-9) * 1-1
Beat a good Lebanon team on Tuesday night but were trounced at home by Trico on Friday night in what could be a regional championship preview.
6. WAYNE CITY (21-3) * 1-1
They have played right with Woodlawn twice but couldn't win at the end. The Indians – with a big week – could get a third shot at the Cardinals at the Woodlawn Regional.
7. GOREVILLE (18-7) * 1-1
The Blackcats might have the toughest regional path with potential games against Cairo and then Meridian-Egyptian winner. They host which is a huge plus.
8. CRAB ORCHARD * (24-3) 2-0
The Trojans have to continue to play well. The schedule is an albatross that hangs around the GEC neck but these Trojans could step up for a big postseason run.
9. EGPYTIAN (17-6) * 1-1
Getting “lit up” by a hot shooting Massac County team is no disgrace. The Pharaohs are a big-time “sleeper” in the Goreville Regional. Coach Mandrell has done a great job.
10. ALATMONT (15-6) 1-0
Beat National Trail Conference rival St. Elmo last week after being "snow-blind" for a week and a half. The Tribe should be adding some more hardware to the case in two weeks.
10A. SESSER-VALIER (17-8) * 2-0
The Red Devils – after a brief lull – have hit their offensive stride with wins over Waltonville and Eldorado. Coach Basso's squad is the top seed at their own regional.
HONORABLE MENTION (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
Cairo, Carrier Mills *, Chester *, Cumberland, Dieterich, Galatia *, Norris City-Omaha-Enfield *, Gallatin County *, Hardin County, Neoga, Oblong, Odin, Red Hill, Sandoval and Stewardson-Strasburg.
West Frankfort Supersectional Area "Top Ten" Class 2A Rankings
1. MURPHYSBORO (27-0) * 2-0
Edged Herrin in overtime last week and then continued West Frankfort's missery on Saturday. A third game with Herrin at the Herrin Regional is looming.
1A. BREESE CENTRAL (24-2) * 3-0
Took care of the rubber game with Mater Dei along with Wesclin and Carlyle last week. The Cougars and Hornets likely have another dance coming up.
3. NASHVILLE (21-3) * 2-0
Beat A-J and Du Quoin to wrap up the Mississippi title. Coach Weathers' club can defend and rebound. If they shoot the ball well the rest of the way - Peoria is possible.
4. PANA (21-3) 1-0
Picked up three wins last week – including a triumph over 20-win Marquette Catholic. Coach Bowker's club could have a say in the EA-WR Sectional next month.
5. DU QUOIN (20-6) * 1-1
One step forward and one step back for the Tribe. Beating of Pinckneyville gave them a pair of wins over the Panthers. The third win in the regional final might be tough to get.
6. HERRIN (17-12) * 1-2
After winning 12-straight – the Tigers got a dose of reality with close losses to Murphysboro and Massac County. There is time to regroup for a regional run.
7. HARRISBURG (23-5) * 2-0
Recovered from Herrin loss to post a pair of Ohio Division wins last week. Coach Smithpeters' young guns better be ready to fire at the Massac County Regional next week.
8. COLUMBIA (17-10) * 3-0
Back to winning after a tough Central-Nashville double – Coach Sandstrom's club is a favorite in hosting its own regional next week.
9. WESCLIN (17-7) * 1-1
Didn't get the job done at home against Central but with a big effort at the Nashville Regional they could get another crack at the Cougars. Senior group must step up.
10. PINCKNEYVILLE * (18-8) 1-1
Another .500 week for the Panthers in the Mississippi Division. Coach Waggoner's club could get another waltz with those pesky Indians at the Sparta Regional.
HONORABLE MENTION (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
Anna-Jonesboro *, Benton *, Carmi-White County *, Carlyle, Carterville, Fairfield, Gibault Catholic *, Greenville, Litchfield, Marquette Catholic, Massac County, Roxana, Sparta *, Staunton, and Vandalia.