It’s everybody’s favorite day of the week again! Keep in mind, the rankings are still based on DOMINANCE within class, as well as strength of schedule and hotness (what you’ve done recently). Conference play and district seeding has added to the intensity of games and made each one that much more important. With no further ado, here are the Feb. 4 power rankings.
(1) Crane (C2: 20-1) – Crane went 3-0 again, running their winning streak to eight. The Lady Pirates still have not lost in 2016 and following the Valley Springs (Ark.) game, their last five margins have been 37, 29, 64, 37 and 16. For some very logical reason Crane dropped to No. 3 in Missouri and No. 141 nationally according to MaxPreps. A trip to Clever can basically clinch another SWCL title, while Saturday’s showdown with undefeated Gainesville will be the biggest game in Missouri this weekend.
(2) Republic (C5: 15-1) – The Lady Tigers are up to No. 2 in Missouri and No. 101 nationally after a nail-bitter against Rock Bridge. Republic also took over the No. 1 ranking in Class 5 following Parkway North’s loss to Lebanon. The Lady Tigers have won seven straight going into a week that will see them play Webb City, Neosho and Bolivar.
(5) Kickapoo (C5: 16-3) – If you needed a reason to hop on the Kickapoo bandwagon then the Lady Chiefs gave you two last week by turbo clocking Branson and Camdenton in two of the most impressive performances I’ve seen from a Kickapoo team since the launch of O-Zone. MaxPreps loves them right now, giving them the No. 1 ranking in Missouri and No. 63 nationally and that Fort Smith Northside team that beat them in the PWLC is currently on a 21-game streak. There isn’t a team in Missouri playing better basketball than the Lady Chiefs are right now. Parkview, Glendale and Joplin this week will give Kickapoo a chance to extend its Ozark Conference lead.
(3) Gainesville (C2: 18-0) – Gainesville is the only undefeated team in the Ozarks after beating Mansfield last week in a game that guarantees the Lady Bulldogs at least a share of the Summit crown. Gainesville owns wins over state-ranked Salem, Hartville and Skyline, but the real test comes on Saturday against Crane in what is likely part one of a two part series. But first, Gainesville will host Sparta.
(6) Strafford (C3: 19-3) – Strafford has opened up another win streak after beating Webb City and Pleasant Hope last week, with the latter being an 85-6 final score. The Lady Indians have really put it together since losing to Marshfield. Trips to SWCL land will fill this week with Forsyth and Spokane up next.
(8) Jasper (C2: 19-1) – Still scratching my head on how exactly Jasper isn’t ranked. The Lady Eagles have won 16 straight and haven’t had an opponent within single digits since Carl Junction beat them on Dec. 5. SRVC play continues this week with Sarcoxie and Liberal.
(4) Carl Junction (C4: 17-2) – Carl Junction fell from the top spot in Class 4 after getting upset by a .500 Class 3 California team in the semifinals of the Eldon Tournament. The Lady Bulldogs did bounce back with wins over Fox and Cassville, but that loss isn’t a quality one. East Newton, Lamar and Aurora on the schedule this week will offer some physical Big 8 games as CJ looks to right the ship.
(9) Skyline (C2: 16-4) – Skyline picked up a pair of nice wins, beating Class 3 Stockton and California, the same California team that upset Carl Junction. A trip to Fair Grove has majors Mid-Lakes implications at stake.
(10) Crocker (C2: 17-2) – The Lady Lions picked up a massive win over Stoutland last week, giving them control of the Frisco League. Crocker has quietly been creeping up the Class 2 rankings and could be No. 2 next week with Skyline and Gainesville both having tough games.
(7) Branson (C5: 15-3) – The Kickapoo loss wasn’t bad, but the margin was slightly alarming. Branson did bounce back by beating Marshfield by 15. A trip to Nixa on Thursday could be an elimination game in the COC Large race. The Lady Pirates will host Ozark on Monday.
(15) Aurora (C4: 11-3) – Aurora picked up wins over East Newton and Willard last week. But, the Lady Dawgs could be without star junior Emily Parker moving forward due to a knee injury. The Seneca Tournament, as well as hosting Mount Vernon and Carl Junction make this a loaded week for Aurora.
(NR) Walnut Grove (C1: 13-6) – The Lady Tigers are back. Or, more accurately, they never left. Walnut Grove hasn’t lost to a Class 1 team in five years and is currently on an eight-game win streak and will get a shot at revenge on Saturday against an Ash Grove team that has beaten them twice.
(12) Fair Grove (C3: 14-5) – I’m not too disappointed in Fair Grove’s loss to Lebanon isn’t a bad one at all. Fair Grove’s five losses have come to three teams with Skyline and Lebanon both beating the Lady Eagles twice. Fair Grove will get a shot at revenge tonight against Skyline, before finishing the week with Pleasant Hope and Osceola.
(NR) Salem (C4: 16-3) – Salem continues to rise in the state polls and are back in the power rankings thanks to an eight-game win streak. A second win over Houston last week is another quality dub and gives the Lady Tigers the pole position in the SCA. Cabool and Cuba are up this week, but don’t be shocked if Salem wins out to end the regular season. Junior Payton Curley also went over the 1,000-point mark at the end of January.
(14) Stoutland (C2: 17-2) – Stoutland lost to Crocker in what was one of the best games this year. Alexa Willard scored 34 points before fouling out in that game. When she has it going the Lady Tigers can hang with anyone in Class 2. Trips to Licking, Mansfield and Fordland cap this week.
Knockin’ on the door: Camdenton (12-5), Spokane (17-5), Nixa (10-8), (9-3), West Plains (13-7), Lebanon (12-6), Houston (13-5), Clever (14-6), Fordland (17-5), Hartville (14-6), Stockton (12-6)
