Big matchups this coming week may make a major difference in the power poll, but things stayed mostly stagnant last week into this week.
What you will see is a little jockeying for position at the rear of this week’s poll, where – full disclosure – spots 8 through 16 are pretty close and hard to break apart.
1. NORWELL (13-1, 4-0 NE8)
WHY #1?
The Knights haven’t lost a single game in area and picked up another monumental win this past weekend over New Haven, giving them a big advantage in the Northeast 8. They are also 5-0 against the SAC, which is a great mark for a NE8 team. Will Geiger is having one of the best seasons in the area and the development of freshman Luke McBride has been a big catalyst for five straight wins.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
They don’t come higher than number one.
RECORD VERSUS OTH TOP 10: 2-0
2. SNIDER (11-3, 4-1 SAC)
WHY #2?
Snider going 5-1 since the SAC Holiday Tournament loss shows that they have great bounce back ability this season. The duo of Michael Eley and Dillon Duff is increasingly fun to watch and unselfish. Snider can get out and go as well as anyone and if they choose to run, they are hard to slow.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
They still have area losses, including to a Carroll team that #1 Norwell beat.
RECORD VERSUS OTH TOP 10: 3-1
3. HOMESTEAD (11-5, 4-1 SAC)
WHY #3?
The Spartans are picking up wins shorthanded, meaning that a lot of other guys have had to step up next to Luke Goode and Alec Grinsfelder. Depth is important and while Homestead usually doesn’t have to test themselves this much, it is a good thing they have quality development in their program.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
They haven’t faced a big quality of opponent since their second loss to Snider. And they lost to Snider, who is #2.
RECORD VERSUS OTH TOP 10: 4-2
4. BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN (13-2)
WHY #4?
The Braves can beat a wide variety of teams with different talents and strengths. That says a lot about their abilities to play chameleon like basketball. We talk a lot about Caleb Furst and Zane Burke, but Marcus Davidson has really been playing some of his best, most diverse basketball lately.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The Homestead loss is keeping them back here. For now.
RECORD VERSUS OTH TOP 10: 2-1
5. BISHOP LUERS (9-4, 4-1 SAC)
WHY #5?
Winner of 6 of their last 7 and you can’t hate that Blackhawk Christian loss. Bishop Luers is still playing hot basketball with big challenges forthcoming, including the night of this article at Norwell. The Knights are quick, they are competitive and they are fun to watch.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Three of their losses have come to teams higher than them.
RECORD VERSUS OTH TOP 10: 1-3
6. CARROLL (12-2, 4-1 SAC)
WHY #6?
Their two win streaks this season are 5 and 6 games. They started a new one last Friday when they won at South Side; if they can extend it like they have their last two streaks, Carroll will be in a great position down the stretch of the season.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The Chargers need another really big win, something they haven’t had since winning the SAC Holiday Tournament.
RECORD VERSUS OTH TOP 10: 1-2
7. NEW HAVEN (9-5, 3-1 NE8)
WHY #7?
New Haven keeps an athletic scoring pace that is hard for most teams to keep up with. The development of Jakar Williams inside has made them a team with a variety of weapons any way they want to attack.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
They are struggling against the upper echelon of the area.
RECORD VERSUS OTH TOP 10: 1-4
8. CENTRAL NOBLE (13-3, 5-1 NECC)
WHY #8?
There is no reason to move the Cougars, who still have the ability to claim they are the best team in the NECC right now. They have won 9 of their last 10 and they have arguably the best sophomore in the area playing like arguably one of the best players overall in the area in Connor Essegian.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Their momentum keeps getting halted with losses that maybe shouldn’t have been losses. Most recently was against county rival East Noble last week.
RECORD VERSUS OTH TOP 10: 0-1
9. WOODLAN (9-5, 3-1 ACAC)
WHY #9?
The Warriors jump in off the strength of five straight wins, including the ACAC Tournament and beating Prairie Heights last week, which was a major feather in their cap. Joe Reidy and Mitch Mendenhall have separated themselves as arguably the two best players in the conference.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Their losses aren’t bad ones, but there are still five of them.
RECORD VERSUS OTH TOP 10: 0-1
10. WESTVIEW (11-3, 6-1 NECC)
WHY #10?
Their only loss in their last 11 games was in overtime during the NECC Tournament. Just last week, Charlie Yoder posted a triple double and continues the argument that he is the area’s most complete player right now.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
They have lost two to conference opponents and the loss to NorthWood, not a bad one, isn’t a great loss either.
RECORD VERSUS OTH TOP 10: 1-0
Other teams in the conversation (in no particular order): Leo 9-6, Prairie Heights 12-3, Bluffton 9-4, Columbia City 7-8, East Noble 7-6, Churubusco 7-5
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