It was a relatively quiet week in the Top 25 — make that a very quiet week — as teams moved on from their Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend challenges and got back to basics by beating up on league opponents.
That looks like the plan for this coming week as well, but soon after state playoffs begin, which typically means upsets will start claiming ranked victims. One notable change this year is that California moved its season two weeks earlier, so the state championships there will be March 8 and 9, and playoffs will begin as early as next week in some areas.
Of course, there's only one California team ranked at this point, which is a stark contrast to recent years, when as many as four teams from the Golden State had a home in the Top 25. It's possible, of course, that another team will join Sierra Canyon in the final rankings, but given the number of very good, but not great, teams in California this year, it's also possible that no teams could wind up in the Top 25. How, you ask? It's conceivable that a pair of six- or seven-loss teams could battle for the Open division title on March 9, and it's hard to see any school with that many losses earning a ranking.
Then again, stranger things have happened, and it's also possible that Texas could wind up in the same situation. Though there are two teams in the Top 25 right now, Mansfield Timberview doesn't really have a signature win, so an upset early in the playoffs could knock the 5A school out, and just as in California, a team with six or seven losses could take the 6A title.
Most likely, though, both states will wind up with two teams when the inevitable shockers occur in other postseasons, and teams that look like sure bets to win out suddenly find themselves crying in the locker room.
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The tests continue for No. 1 Miami Country Day, as once-beaten Oxbridge is Wednesday's opponent – and the game is at Oxbridge. It would also be unwise to overlook IMG Academy on Saturday, especially as that game, too, is on the road.
After outlasting Bishop McNamara to get to No. 2, St. John's now must travel to Paul VI for another big game in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. Oh, and the rematch with No. 3 Bishop McNamara is Feb. 9.
Paul VI is next Tuesday's opponent, but looking past Bishop Ireton on Thursday would be a mistake. Of course, no one could blame Bishop McNamara for not thinking about anything but the Feb. 9 St. John's rematch. 9.
Once-beaten Newark is one of the top teams in Ohio, and it would not be a shock if Newark won the very competitive Ohio Division I title. As Africentric is Division III, its postseason challenges will be limited so Wednesday's game — at Newark — is Africentric's biggest game left.
Another quality opponent, another big win — Redondo Union couldn't match up with California's best, losing 61-39 Saturday. Just one more game and California's arduous postseason will begin.
It would be a major shock if Centennial lost going forward, as Nevada is down this year and the out-of-state trips are over. But Centennial did struggle in postseason last year, so you never know.
Edison has a week off and one more challenge in the regular season — Wayne on Feb. 16 — before the playoffs begin.
New Hope hasn't shied away from any team this year, and that pattern continues next Tuesday, when National Christian Academy — which spent some time in the Top 25 — shows up on the schedule.
After outlasting a good McDonogh team, 48-43, on Monday, Roland Park draws once-ranked St. Frances Wednesday — at St. Frances.
As Beaver Dam has already beaten its next three opponents by an average of 38 points, there's little cause for concern for Wisconsin's best until postseason.
The long Texas regular season ends next Tuesday, followed of course by the long Texas postseason. Only the strong survive …
Maine West has clearly established itself as the best team in Illinois, though of course to make that claim stick, winning the Class 4A title is a necessity.
Like most teams, Northside has only league teams left on its schedule, and the only school that looks to have a chance to pull off the upset is Conway – and that game isn't until Feb. 12.
Mount Notre Dame has Notre Dame Academy on Saturday, at Notre Dame Academy – which is planned as a postseason tuneup against a quality opponent. Of course, Notre Dame Academy might have something else in mind.
The St. John-Vianney game has been pushed back again — until Feb. 12 — but eventually the two ranked teams will collide. Barring more snowstorms and Arctic freezes …
As a team without a league, Hamilton Heights has only two games left before the National Association of Christian Athletes playoff, which begins Feb. 20.
Many thought Saddle River Day was going to emerge as the best team in New Jersey — which is saying something — but St. John-Vianney justified this ranking with a 67-59 win Saturday. The date with No. 15 Christ the King is now Feb. 12.
Local rivalries are always dangerous, and Riverdale only beat Blackman by 17 the first time around — and that game was at Riverdale. This Friday's visit to Blackman could be a lot closer.
League play ends for Cedar Hill on Tuesday, with the Texas playoffs ramping up right afterward. But No. 11 Mansfield Timberview is in a different division, so there's no chance of the two ranked teams meeting again.
Hopkins has two games left against Minnesota powerhouse Wayzata, and the first one is Friday at Hopkins. Aside from that pair of challenges, though, Hopkins will stay in cruise control.
After shaking off the rust of a 10-day break and getting past Choctaw on Tuesday, Putnam City West should find smoother sailing in its next two games.
Boyd County is a strong Kentucky team and will come to St. Joseph Central Tuesday. In fact, St. Joseph Central won't play another West Virginia team until the playoffs begin.
After rolling over rival Beaverton on Tuesday, it doesn't get any easier for Southridge — next up is a trip to Jesuit, which is always one of the top teams in Oregon.
Germantown Academy has three games between now and next Wednesday, but none appear to pose a serious threat to this ranking.
Princess Anne has scored 90 points or more five times, and 103 back in December. Expect another workout for the scoreboard operator Friday when Green Run comes to Virginia Beach.
Dropped out: None.
Vanessa Reyes, Maine West
File photo by Patrick Gorski
