QC Prep Girls' Basketball Power Poll
-– These local media rankings are determined on a descending points system, with a first-place vote receiving 10 points, a second-place vote receiving 9 points, and so on. Presented by The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus, WQAD-TV 8, MC22, WFXN-AM 1230, Aledo's WRMJ-FM 102.3, the Kewanee-based Regional Radio Group, the Clinton Herald and Family Ties Productions.
Rank. Team (1st) (Rec.) Pts. Prev.
1. Assumption (16) (6-1) 191 1
-- Since last poll: Dec. 2 won at Davenport West, 59-26; Dec. 6 beat North Scott, 49-40; Dec. 9 beat Davenport North, 94-40; Dec. 13 won at Bettendorf, 48-29; Dec. 16 beat Clinton, 75-23; Dec. 20 lost at Iowa-rated Cedar Rapids Xavier, 52-47. Note: After steamrolling six season-starting foes by an average of 35 points, Iowa's defending Class 3A state champs were finally tested and came up short against a 4A-ranked opponent. The Knights come off Iowa's holida break with their toughest week of the season, too, including a visit with their old coach. Next: Jan. 3 hosts No. 9 Muscatine; Jan. 6 at No. 11 Pleasant Valley; Jan. 7 at the Mississippi River Shootout (No. 10 United Township).
2. Rock Island (11-2) 162 3
-- Since last poll: Dec. 3 won at No. 11 Sterling, 49-39; Dec. 8 beat No. 6 Galesburg, 69-60; Dec. 10 beat Biggsville West Central, 60-24; Dec. 10 beat Brimfield, 58-44; Dec. 12 beat BPC-Avon, 51-42; Dec. 15 lost to No. 2 Moline, 39-36; Dec. 16 lost to Knoxville, 51-48; Dec. 17 beat Abingdon, 46-34. Note: Seven games in nine days caught up with the Rocks, who were dropped from the ranks of the unbeatens by Moline. Then, Knoxville kept Rocky from winning the Abingdon/Knoxville Tournament.
The Illinois-ranked Class 3A club is tied for the Western Big 6 lead now at 3-1 with Moline and Alleman. Next: Dec. 27-30 at the State Farm Holiday Classic in Bloomington/Normal; Jan. 5 at Quincy; Jan. 7 at the Mississippi River Shootout (No. 11 Pleasant Valley).
3. Annawan (4) (11-0) 149 5
-- Since last poll: Dec. 5 beat Princeville, 63-49; Dec. 7 won at Monmouth United, 69-38; Dec. 12 beat Erie, 69-34; Dec. 17 won at Peru St. Bede, 65-52; Dec. 19 won at Ridgewood, 67-43. Note: So far, the defending Lincoln Trail Conference champs have lived up to their No. 2t state ranking in the Illinois Class 1A preseason poll. The Bravettes take a 4-0 league mark and 1 1/2-game lead into the holidays. But now Annawan wants to prove itself in one of the state's premier Christmas pageants. Next: Dec. 27-30 at the State Farm Holiday Classic in Bloomington/Normal; Jan. 4 at ROWVA; Jan. 7 at River Ridge.
4. Moline (8-5) 133 2
-- Since last poll: Dec. 8 won at Quincy, 57-36; Dec. 10 beat Maine West, 52-40; Dec. 15 won at No. 3 Rock Island, 39-36; Dec. 16 lost to two-time defending Illinois 3A champ Lombard Montini, 57-24; Dec. 17 beat Illinois-rated Rockford Lutheran, 57-51; Dec. 17 lost to Illinois-rated Rockton Hononegah, 52-27. Note: The Maroons got knocked down a few pegs by our voters because of their record, but look harder and you'll see the four-time defending Western Big 6 Conference champs are playing elite competition that will only make them better in the season's stretch run. Knocking rival Rocky off its unbeaten pedestal last week forced a 3-way tie with the Rocks and Alleman for the league lead. Next: Dec. 22 at the Sterling Holiday Tournament; Dec. 27-29 at the Peoria Manual Holiday Tournament; Jan. 5 at No. 10 United Township; Jan. 7 at the Mississippi River Shootout (Bettendorf).
5. Sherrard (12-2) 89 8
-- Since last poll: Dec. 3 beat River Ridge, 44-36; Dec. 5 beat No. 12 Alleman, 62-49; Dec. 8 beat Ridgewood, 56-34; Dec. 10 beat Macomb, 56-24; Dec. 15 won at Orion, 65-43; Dec. 17 beat Mercer County, 85-24; Dec. 19 beat Wethersfield, 62-53. Note: Since starting 2-2 against some bigger schools at the Sauk Valley Shootout, the Tigers have won 10 straight, clawing those victims by an average of 22.7 points-per-game. Most significantly during that stretch, Illinois 2A's ninth-ranked team topped Big 6 tri-leader Alleman. Next: Dec. 27-29 at the Monticello Tournament; Jan. 5 at Carthage Illini West; Jan. 7 at the Mississippi River Shootout (Davenport West).
6. Galesburg (8-2) 72 6
-- Since last poll: Dec. 8 lost at No. 3 Rock Island, 69-60; Dec. 10 won at Normal West, 74-60; Dec. 15 beat No. 4 United Township, 65-63. Note: The Illinois 3A-rated Streaks seek to defend their Christmas tournament title sandwiched around a pair of meetings with Western Big 6 co-leader Alleman. Galesburg is 2-2 and a game back in the league race with the losses coming to Moline and Rocky. Biggest win so far was over state-rated Springfield to win the Galesburg Thanksgiving Tournament. Next: Dec. 22 hosts No. 8 Alleman; Dec. 28-30 at Charleston Holiday Tournament; Jan. 5 at No. 8 Alleman; Jan. 7 at Burbank Queen of Peace.
7. Geneseo (9-2) 60.5 7
-- Since last poll: Dec. 2 won at No. 11 Sterling, 44-36; Dec. 3 beat Ridgewood, 52-34; Dec. 9 lost to Ottawa, 47-43 (OT); Dec. 15 won at Streator, 45-22; Dec. 17 beat Fairbury Prairie Central, 42-37; Dec. 17 beat Streator, 50-25. Note: A game back in the Northern Illinois Big 12 West despite starting the month with a big roadkill at defending champ Sterling. The reason? The Leafs' only loss, since falling to Annawan in the Temple's Tip-Off Classic title ganme, was an overtime setback to Ottawa. Next: Dec. 21-22 at Ottawa Holiday Tournament; Dec. 27-29 at the Dixon Holiday Tournament; Jan. 6 hosts LaSalle-Peru.
8. Alleman (9-4) 55 12
-- Since last poll: Dec. 3 lost at Rock Falls, 49-41; Dec. 5 lost at No. 8 Sherrard, 62-49; Dec. 8 won at No. 4 United Township, 47-43; Dec. 10 beat No. 10 Riverdale. 70-51; Dec. 15 beat Quincy, 54-34; Dec. 17 beat Ridgewood, 67-33. Note: The Pioneers are playing for the Western Big 6 lead tonight, having emerged from a rough pre-holiday stretch with four straight victories. Alleman also got veteran head coach Jay Hatch an early Christmas present last week by scoring his 400th career win. The victims thus far have included Moline, UT and Riverdale while two of the losses have been to Rock Island and Sherrard. But the schedule hardly get easier now for Alleman. Next: Dec. 22 at No. 6 Galesburg; Dec. 27-30 at the State Farm Holiday Classic in Bloomington/Normal; Jan. 3 at Rockridge; Jan. 5 hosts No. 6 Galesburg; Jan. 7 at the Mississippi River Shootout (North Scott).
9. Muscatine (7-2) 54 9
-- Since last poll: Dec. 2 beat Burlington, 61-52; Dec. 6 beat Davenport Central, 48-23; Dec. 9 beat Bettendorf, 60-42; Dec. 13 won at Davenport West, 67-30; Dec. 16 beat North Scott, 60-38; Dec. 20 lost to state-rated Iowa City High, 55-33. Note: Muscatine heads into Iowa's holiday break with its five-game winning streak snapped. Both Muskies losses have come to their only state-ranked foes so far, making hard to measure how good they really are this season. Tied with Assumption and Pleasant Valley atop the MAC standings at 5-0 in league play, though. Next: Jan. 3 at No. 1 Assumption; Jan. 6 at Clinton.
10. United Township (8-4) 52 4
-- Since last poll: Dec. 6 won at Bartonville Limestone, 48-33; Dec. 8 lost to No. 12 Alleman, 47-43; Dec. 15 lost at No. 6 Galesburg, 65-63; Dec. 17 won at Peoria Notre Dame, 50-41. Note: The Panthers just can't win the close games right now, losing to Big 6 rivals Rocky, Alleman and Galesburg by a combined eight points. The only other loss, to state-rated Springfield, lends hope a talented "East Mo'' club can pick up some much-needed momentum in its Christmas tournament. Next: Dec. 27-29 at the Dixon Holiday Tournament; Jan. 3 hosts DeKalb; Jan. 5 hosts No. 4 Moline; Jan. 7 at the Mississippi River Shootout (No. 1 Assumption).
ALSO RECEIVING VOTES:
11. Pleasant Valley (6-1) 37 15
-- Since last poll: Dec. 2 beat Clinton, 68-42; Dec. 3 lost at Iowa-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 58-44; Dec. 6 won at Davenport North, 75-41; Dec. 9 beat Davenport West, 57-35; Dec. 13 won at Burlington, 59-31; Dec. 16 beat Davenport Central, 71-36. Note: St. Ambrose great Jennifer Goetz, the state title-winning head coach last season at Assumption, is working her magic with the Spartans. PV is 5-0 in the MAC and tied with Assumption and Muscatine for the league lead. The only loss was to a state-ranked foe in non-conference action. Next: Jan. 3 at North Scott; Jan. 6 hosts No. 1 Assumption; Jan. 7 at the Mississippi River Shootout (No. 2 Rock Island).
12. Mediapolis (9-0) 16.5 14
-- Since last poll: Dec. 2 won at Riverside Highland, 38-18; Dec. 6 won at Wapello, 45-25; Dec. 8 won at Mid-Prairie Wellman, 58-29; Dec. 9 beat Lone Tree, 72-40; Dec. 13 beat Winfield-Mount Union, 58-35; Dec. 16 won at Pekin, 55-40; Dec. 20 beat Iowa Mennonite School, 59-38. Note: The "other'' Bulldogs are rolling again after a 17-4 season last spring. Top 10 ranked in Iowa Class 2A, and dominating victims by an average of 29 points-per-game. Next: Jan. 3 at Waco Wayland; Jan. 6 at Columbus Junction.
13. Riverdale (11-3) 16 10
-- Since last poll: Dec. 3 beat Morrison, 69-24; Dec. 6 won at No. 16 Rockridge, 56-53; Dec. 8 lost at Sterling Newman, 52-47; Dec. 10 lost at No. 12 Alleman, 70-51; Dec. 15 beat Kewanee, 70-48; Dec. 17 lost to Rock Falls, 52-24; Dec. 20 won at Bureau Valley, 63-20. Note: Despite losing four-fifths of their starting lineup from a 28-win campaign, the defending Three Rivers Conference champs are battling for league honors again. The recent loss at Newman has the Rams a half-game back of TRAC-leading Prophetstown. Next: Dec. 27-29 at Prophetstown Holiday Invite; Jan. 5 hosts Erie.
14. Sterling (7-5) 6 11
-- Since last poll: Dec. 2 lost to No. 7 Geneseo, 44-36; Dec. 3 lost to No. 3 Rock Island, 49-39; Dec. 9 beat Dixon, 44-27; Dec. 13 won at Ottawa, 45-43; Dec. 16 lost to Rockford Lutheran, 67-43; Dec. 17 lost to Rockton Hononegah, 66-56; Dec. 17 lost to Peoria Richwoods, 64-59. Note: The defending Northern Illinois Big 12 West champs barely held on to a poll position with three setbacks to state-rated teams in the Sterling Holiday Classic coupled with losses to locally-ranked Rocky and Geneseo. Next: Dec. 22 at the Sterling Holiday Classic; Dec. 27-30 at the State Farm Holiday Classic in Bloomington/Normal; Jan. 3 hosts Sycamore; Jan. 6 at Streator.
15. Prophetstown (10-5) 4 17
-- Since last poll: Dec. 3 beat Sterling Newman, 32-28; Dec. 5 won at Ridgewood, 50-48; Dec. 8 lost at Peru St. Bede, 50-35; Dec. 10 beat Bureau Valley, 60-26; Dec. 13 lost to Byron, 65-48; Dec. 14 beat West Carroll, 66-37; Dec. 16 lost to Forreston, 54-46; Dec. 20 won at Erie, 54-48. Note: In "Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood,'' the smallest school in the Three Rivers Conference again leads the league. Veteran coach Don Robinson, who scored career win No. 600 recently, boasts the TRAC's all-time winningest girls' basketball program, and that's saying something in a league also populated by the likes of state powers Sterling Newman and Riverdale. Next: Dec. 22 at Amboy; Dec. 27-29 at Prophetstown Holiday Tournament; Jan. 5 at Fulton; Jan. 7 hosts Kewanee.
16. Wethersfield (8-5) 2 13
-- Since last poll: Dec. 5 won at Biggsville West Central, 58-50; Dec. 7 beat Mercer County, 74-24; Dec. 15 Princeton, 65-48; Dec. 19 lost at No. 8 Sherrard, 62-53. Note: New coach Becky Ince has the Geese in a good spot to challenge Annawan in the Lincoln Trail Conference. Among the losses were close December decisions to local heavyweights Sherrard and those rival Bravettes. Next: Dec. 27-30 at Erie's Warkins Cardinal Classic; Jan. 2 at Princeville; Jan. 4 at Sciota West Prairie.
17. Bellevue (10-0) 1 NR
-- Since last poll: Dec. 2 beat East Dubuque, 61-25; Dec. 3 beat Tipton, 63-47; Dec. 6 won at Calamus-Wheatland, 65-18; Dec. 9 beat Clinton Prince of Peace, 62-39; Dec. 13 won at Preston, 55-46; Dec. 16 beat Lisbon, 57-44; Dec. 17 beat Durant-Bennett, 68-39; Dec. 20 won at Northeast Goose Lake, 60-44. Note: Not yet ranked, but the Big East Conference leaders currently are drlling foes by an average of 21.3 points-per-game. Among the state's best shooting teams at 47.6-percent from the field. Next: Jan. 3 hosts Camanche; Jan. 6 hosts Midland Wyoming.
No comments:
Post a Comment