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). We are just two weeks away from the end of the regular season and the start of district play. With no further ado, here are the Feb. 17 power rankings.
(1) Crane (C2: 25-1) – Well, Crane has nearly become the first wire-to-wire No. 1 team in the history of Ozarks Sports Zone. The Lady Pirates extended their streak to 13 with wins over Ash Grove and Sparta last week, completing an undefeated SWCL title run and snatching the No. 1 seed in Class 2 – District 11. Crane will go for a fourth straight state championship, something that hasn’t been done locally since the Marshfield dynasty. The last time Crane lost to a Missouri opponent was Jan. 24 of 2015. MaxPreps has them No. 3 in Missouri and No. 137 nationally.
(2) Republic (C5: 20-1) – Republic has won 12 straight after beating Nixa and Willard last week, including five straight wins by 20 or more points. Basically, RepMo has been untouchable outside of that Crane game. Trips to Ozark and Branson this week will give the Lady Tigers a chance to cap off an unblemished COC Large championship. Republic took over the No. 1 spot in Missouri from Kickapoo in the MaxPreps rankings, also moving up to No. 82 nationally.
(3) Kickapoo (C5: 21-3) – Kickapoo has been sending subliminal messages over the past few weeks. The Lady Chiefs have won 13 straight and averaged 98 PPG in wins over Joplin and Rolla; improving to 20-1 win they score at least 60 points. A win over Waynesville on Thursday would clinch an unbeaten Ozark Conference championship. Kickapoo will close the season on Feb. 25 at home against Bolivar. Lady Chiefs dropped in MaxPreps, falling to No. 2 in Missouri and No. 124 nationally.
(4) Strafford (C3: 22-3) – Strafford picked up another win over Class 4 Rogersville, its second in the last three weeks. The Lady Indians have won eight straight entering Thursday’s showdown with rival Fair Grove for the Mid-Lakes championship. A Strafford win gives them the title outright; a loss forces a three-way tie with Fair Grove and Skyline. Strafford is the No. 1 seed in Class 3 – District 11.
(5) Gainesville (C2: 23-1) – Gainesville has responded to the Crane loss the way you’d expect them too, winning four straight games, all by at least 20 points. The Lady Bulldogs can win the Summit championship outright by beating Conway on Thursday. Gainesville is again the No. 1 seed in Class 2 – District 10.
(6) Jasper (C2: 24-1) – Jasper outscored opponents 151-40 in two games last week, extending its win streak to 21 games. None of those 21 wins has come by less than 10 points. The Lady Eagles end the season with a trip to Jasper with a win wrapping up the SRVC championship. Jasper is the No. 1 seed in Class 2 – District 13.
(7) Carl Junction (C4: 20-2) – It was a light week for Carl Junction, but the 50-37 win over Aurora put the Lady Bulldogs in control of their own destiny for the Big 8 title. The Lady Bulldogs will close out the season with Mount Vernon and McDonald County, needing just one win to grab at least a share of the league. A visit from Nixa will also provide a tough test before district play.
(8) Skyline (C2: 21-4) – The streak is up to seven after wins over Class 4 Osage and Class 3 Ash Grove. I love the Osage win because of who Osage has beaten this year (Crocker, Cuba, St. James). Basically, the Lady Tigers are again getting hot at the right time. They are the No. 1 seed in Class 2 – District 14 and a Fair Grove upset of Strafford will give Skyline a piece of the MLC title.
(9) Crocker (C2: 22-2) – Crocker survived a week of three road games, beating Iberia, Tuscumbia and Laquey. The streak is up to six since that loss to Class 4 Osage and the Lady Lions are still unbeaten in Class 2. Senior Night comes against a solid Richland team on Thursday, giving them a chance to go unbeaten in the Frisco League, before the Lady Lions begin Class 2 – District 9 play where it is the top seed.
(10) Branson (C5: 20-3) – You gotta feel a little bit for the Lady Pirates. Branson has three losses and all three have come against teams that have a really good chance of making Final Four runs. Branson has won six straight after beating Webb City and Neosho last week. Home games against Carthage and Republic will determine if Branson will hang another COC Large banner.
(11) Walnut Grove (C1: 17-7) – Walnut Grove went 2-1 last week with the lone loss coming to Morrisville. The Lady Tigers did bounce back to beat Fair Play in the season finale, polishing off another Polk County League title. The Lady Tigers are the No. 1 seed in Class 1 –District 5 and still l haven’t dropped a game to a Class 1 team since Eminence beat them in the 2012 Class 1 state championship game.
(13) Camdenton (C5: 17-5) – Camdenton has bounced back nicely from that loss to Kickapoo, winning five straight games, four of which have come by double figures. The Lady Lakers have Hillcrest and Bolivar at home to end the season.
(14) Fair Grove (C3: 18-6) – The Lady Eagles picked up wins over Marionville and Stockton to remain in the Mid-Lakes title race entering Thursday’s game with Strafford. Fair Grove has lost four of its last five meetings to Strafford. But, the Lady Eagles are the hosts and No. 2 seed in Class 3 – District 11.
(NR) Salem (C4: 19-4) – Salem is still flying under the radar, but the Lady Tigers have won 11 of their last 12. A win over Thayer at home on Thursday will give Salem the SCA title, before ending the regular season with a trip to St. Clair.
(NR) Purdy (C2: 18-5) – Purdy is back in after winning 12 straight games, including topping Class 4 Cassville and a hot East Newton team. Wins over McAuley and Wheaton gave Purdy a share of the Ozark 7 crown with an opportunity to win it outright on Senior Night against Exeter. Lone senior Des Ennes is averaging a double-double for the Lady Eagles, who are the No. 2 seed in Class 2 – District 12.
Knockin’ on the door: Spokane (20-6), Houston (17-6), Hartville (19-6), Stockton (17-7), Clever (17-7), Rogersville (15-8), Fordland (19-6), Norwood (19-5), East Newton (15-9), Aurora (14-6), Bradleyville (18-5), Stoutland (22-3), West Plains (15-9)
