Jan 24, 2011 FLASH bryan@prepcasts.com
It's that time of year when we begin to pay closer attention to the State Rankings. It's also around this time that a few of the unbeatens, fall by the way side. In my view, this is the norm. Why ?
Going into a season, players and coaches know the "potential" to excel. Blessed with talent, often an outstanding experienced coach on the bench, teams like this have schedules formed that will challenge them throughout the year. Generally this leads to lots of productive off-season work as individuals and as a team. When the season opening tip-off occurs, these teams come out flying and often pummel their opponents. This happens through Christmas tourney time. After ML KIng Holiday, other teams start to emerge. This happens for several reasons. First, these better teams (sometimes filled with youngsters) have now become acclimated to the "speed and strength" of the game. By this time of year, you've seen all the presses, offensive sets, inbounds plays that you'll probably see for the course of the year. These unknown teams now begin to have a swagger of their own. Let's kill two birds with one stone-- take a look at some STATE ranked teams and the few that have fallen for the first time in recent days.
The #1 ranked, Class 5 Boys- McCluer North (19-1) are loaded and have a top notch Coach in Randy Reed. BJ Young (Arkasas bound) pops in 30ppp and he's complemented by Jr. 6-8 Jordan Granger (15ppg) to lead the North Star attack. This week, McN held off a determined Collinsville(11-9) team 52-47 in the semis of the Belleville East Toruney. The next night the Belleville West Maroons (12-4)knocked the North Stars from the unbeaten ranks with 67-57 defeat in the championship game. Coach Reed, while no one likes to lose, now as some additional motivation to fire up the troops.
The #3 ranked, Class 5 team, Hazelwood Central (14-1) fell for the first time this week also. The Hawks dropped a 71-62 game to the CBC Cadets (14-5). The Cadets canned 31 of 34 from the line to pull out the win. Haz Central and McCluer North are both part of the Suburban North Conference.
4th ranked, Class 5 team, the Kickapoo Chiefs are a very familiar sight to elite level teams. On Saturday, the Chiefs lost the Championships game of the Houlihan's Glendale Classic 79-75 to the host school. It was the first victory for Glendale(16-2 but unranked) over Kickapoo since January of 2002. The Chiefs are now 16-2. Tommy Hedges scored 22 points to lead the Falcons to the win.
On the upswing are the DeSmet Spartans(15-3). Ranked #8, the Spartans had a strong week. They started the week edging Parkway South (12-3) 56-55. A heartbreaking 69-66 loss to an 18-0 Chaminade team came next. A tying 3 point attempt at the buzzer fell off the rim. On Friday, the Spartans beat their fellow MCC foe, the CBC Cadets(14-5) 66-57. A huge 4th quarter was the difference in this one. Remember, CBC beat Haz Cen earlier in the week! Sophomores Jimmy Barton and Nolan Berry are the outside-inside force. Teddy Corwin adds real strength and power on the inside while Chris Jacobs (who was red hot from beyond the arc 6 of 7) against the Cadets is the zone-buster. Watch the replay of the DeSmet-CBC game.
On the Girls side of Class 5, the #1 ranked Webb City Cardinals(14-2) are being pushed hard by Coach Brad Shorter. Winning the State title last year, Coach returned most of his starting lineup. He's played the best he can find in the Midwest. His only losses have been to nationally ranked Wichita Heights and Midwest City, OK. This week Cardinals toppled Mt Vernon(9-3, Class 3, #6) 57-51 and Overton (Memphis, TN) 62-59. Overton came in as the #45th nationally ranked team. Kaitlin Jaeger scored 21 from the inside while Kyndal Clark added another 20. Meanwhile, Hailey Roderique recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Recently, in the Prepcasts Shootout, Webb City edged the defending Class 5 Champion, IWA 61-57. Listen to all the exciting action of that game IWA-WC
The #2 ranked, Class 5 team, the St. Joseph Angels(15-2) had a real tussle on their hands this week. Playing one of the top teams from Chicago, Marion Catholic(19-4), the Angels found themselves facing a deficit for most of the game. A late rally led by Erin Nelson pushed the Angels into the victory column 62-58.
Let's move out of Class 5 for a bit. There are plenty of teams that we want to mention this week or in upcoming weeks. We're going to jump around some now, so get ready for a quick trip around all levels, both genders, of the STATE.
On top of the Boys Class 4 poll are the Sikeston Bulldogs(14-0). Sikeston handed the Kennett Indians (#8, class 3) their first home defeat of the year 82-57 this week. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 12-2 lead and coasted from there.
The #5, Class 5 Boys team, Rogersville (12-3) shot an incredible 68% from the field as they built up a 39-24 lead over the Webb City Cardinals(11-5). The Wildcats, cooled off a bit( didnt' they have to?) but won 67-56 at Webb City.
The #5, class 4 Girls team is the Mexico Lady Bulldogs(13-2). The Lady Bulldogs whipped Brookfield 61-15 in the Macon tournament. Brooke Costley was the leader for Mexico with 17 points, 6 boards, 4 steals and 3 assists. Mexico looks for a rematch with Mobery as they hope to avenge an earlier season loss.
The #8, Class 4 boys team, Harrisonville (9-3) won a shootout this week as they out-gunned Summit Christian Academy 81-66. The Wildcats had balanced scoring with 4 players in double figures.
Class 5, #5 Boys team, Lee Summit North (10-3) beat Blue Springs South 50-42 after falling behind 12-6 after one quarter.
The #10, Class 1 Girls team is the Verona Wildcats (10-3). The Wildcats are led by Tristan Carrasquillo who is averaging 20.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. This year's success isn't completely unexpected the Wildcats went 24-6 last year. The only losses this year have been to Republic (#7, Class 4), Mount Vernon (#6 in Class 3) and Fordland (#2 team of Class 2).
WE'll continue to bring you up to date on state ranked teams as we move towards District and post-season play.
