The last power poll of 2019 didn’t get a whole lot of clarity with a week off and the Summit Athletic Conference Tournament mixed in.
That said, we are a a point in the girls season where, unlike the boys, the status quo is pretty set. While there are some outside teams making waves, it will be hard for more than a team a week to have a chance to penetrate the rankings.
So here it is, one more for this year.
1. HOMESTEAD (12-1, 5-0 SAC)
WHY #1?
The Spartans have not lost to a single team in the state of Indiana. Their run through the SAC Holiday Tournament continued to prove they are the standard. Impressive in a different way than previous seasons, the Spartans had to fight off good challenges in the tournament, proving they are closers.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Well…..
RECORD VERSUS OTH TOP 10: 4-0
2. SOUTH SIDE (9-3, 4-0 SAC)
WHY #2?
The Archers got more SAC than they had seen in the last week and performed splendidly, even if it didn’t end with a title. They put scares into Homestead and proved that they are going to be a tough out for anybody. Jaci Jones is as scary of a shooter as there is in the area at this point.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
They lost to Homestead.
RECORD VERSUS OTH TOP 10: 0-1
3. ANGOLA (11-2, 6-0 NECC)
WHY #3?
The Hornets are going to get a jump not because they’ve run over everyone lately but because of the balance they are doing it with. They willed theirselves through some early situations riding Hanna Knoll’s talent, but this is far from a one trick pony right now. The Hornets are moving toward their peak at the right time.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
They may be playing strong, but not that strong.
RECORD VERSUS OTH TOP 10: 2-2
4. NORWELL (9-3, 2-1 NE8)
WHY #4?
Norwell plays at a high level and are a tough out. Their three losses are tough, but you can say with reason that if you ran those back, the Knights could/would win those. So, it makes it hard to drop them down the list too far yet.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Their setbacks have not been timely ones and now the Knights need help to even win their conference.
RECORD VERSUS OTH TOP 10: 3-2
5. BISHOP LUERS (9-5, 3-1 SAC)
WHY #5?
Luers has played well and since the last power poll, they have given a good scare to Homestead twice. Their losses are balanced out in a lot of ways by the fact that they’ve competed with the best team in the area, twice, as well as anyone else has.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Five losses is five losses, even if two are against Homestead.
RECORD VERSUS OTH TOP 10: 1-4
6. WARSAW (9-5, 2-1 NLC)
WHY #6?
They roll when they are healthy and have wins over three other top 10 teams. The Tigers are aggressive and seeing them matched up with higher end Northeast Indiana teams is always going to be fun. I am behind Warsaw as a contender, for now.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
I guess I need to find some more trust in the Tigers. Maybe this is a me problem.
RECORD VERSUS OTH TOP 10: 3-0
7. COLUMBIA CITY (9-4, 4-0 NE8)
WHY #7?
My nerves were tested here, but its time to give the Eagles their due. They, like so many other teams, have been healthy on and off but right now Columbia City is rolling easy with the Northeast 8 clearly in their hands. Being on the wrong end of the comeback loss to Carroll seems like ages ago now but wins over Norwell and Concordia are fresh in our minds.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
We’d like to see one more big win. Could happen this week with LaPorte, South Side and Vaparaiso waiting for them this week in a one day tournament.
RECORD VERSUS OTH TOP 10: 2-2
8. CARROLL (9-4, 3-1 SAC)
WHY #8?
At their best, the Chargers have a lot of weapons and are only getting better. Jasmine Anderson looked really good at the rim in the SAC Tournament adding to that depth if they can stay healthy. Olivia Hoeppner’s illness kept her out of the tournament and Emily Parrett may miss time with a left hand/wrist injury now.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
They haven’t competed against top teams and their loss in the SAC Tournament to Northrop was a bit of a bummer. The Chargers haven’t strung together more than 2 wins in a row since they opened with four straight wins.
RECORD VERSUS OTH TOP 10: 1-2
9. EASTSIDE (12-2, 4-2 NECC)
WHY #9?
The Blazers won the holiday tournament at South Adams over the weekend and continued their semi dominance by getting to 12 wins. Outside of the Lakeland loss, they’ve played really solid, credible basketball. Sullivan Kessler is one of the area’s most stable guards right now.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
That loss to Angola means they certainly can’t be higher. The NECC Tournament could make waves for them, but they have to play better than they did in the loss to Lakeland, which was almost a big setback.
RECORD VERSUS OTH TOP 10: 1-1
10. WOODLAN (10-4, 5-0 ACAC)
WHY #10?
Woodlan remains the class of the ACAC and is likely to beat many teams in the other non-SAC conference. They now have guaranteed a share of the conference title and beating Heritage on December 21 was a big last hurdle.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
They dropped last week to 0-3 against other top teams. They area all really good teams, but still losses.
RECORD VERSUS OTH TOP 10: 0-3
Other teams in the conversation (in no particular order): Concordia (8-5), Huntington North (10-4), Bellmont (8-4), Central Noble (9-4)
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