| 07 February 2012
With most school's seasons having already come to an end and teams preparing for districts, it's about time we compile our last 1A power rankings. I personally have had a fantastic time doing this, as the responses from these less talked about schools have been great and rewarding.
A few teams stayed at the top for most of the season: Granger, Cashmere, Naches Valley, Bellevue Christian, Zillah, Lynden Christain and King's. This week is no different.
1. Zillah, South Central (16-4)
No one is hotter than Zillah going into the tournament, and it's not even close. The Leopards are on a 9-game winning streak in which they beat Granger twice and Naches Valley once en route to winning the most competitive division in 1A, the South Central. They are averaging 78 points per game during this span behind senior Darrel Pascal and junior Robert Slack.
What really convinces me why Zillah will win the tournament this year is two things: One, they have experience. Last year, the Leopards made it to the tournament finals only to lose to Cascade Christian and grab second place; I have to believe that they are motivated to not let that happen again.
Two, Zillah has faced the toughest competition this year out of any 1A team. To face Naches Valley, Granger, and Goldendale twice and only lose one game out of those is incredible.
Current status: Clinched South Central title, one game left vs. Highland
See the rest of the power rankings after the jump!
2. Cashmere, Caribou League (13-2)
Everyone's favorite preseason pick to win it all lived up to the hype up this season and is playing well. The Bulldogs are currently riding an 8 game winning streak where they beat Caribou League challenger Okanogan.
In the few games I saw these guys play, they were almost impossible to stop in transition. Absolutely impossible. Remember these guys when the tournament comes around, because when everyone else gets tired from playing back to back days, the experienced, conditioned, Cooper Elliott led-Bulldogs won't be.
Current status: Clinched 1st place in Caribou League
3. Lynden Christian, Northwest (15-3)
Lynden Christian is in an interesting situation. They play in a 1A/2A/3A league, so when they win, it looks good; and when they lose, people don't know whether to give them a pass or not because they're a 1A school.
Well, that question doesn't really matter since the Lyncs went 11-5 in league play this season with key wins against Ferndale and Sehome. Forward Isaac Reimer has lead the charge with a few double-doubles this season. Look for this 1A tournament powerhouse to once again make a deep run.
Current status: Clinched fourth in Northwest conference.
4. Naches Valley, South Central (18-2)
Once number two in the rankings a mere two weeks ago, Naches Valley is in this position because they lost to Zillah. Other than that, these Rangers are heading into the tourney the right way currently riding a 4 game winning streak.
Current status: Clinched second in South Central
5. Granger, South Central (16-4)
A month ago, I would have considered Granger the top team in 1A, but not anymore. After two losses to Zillah and a loss to Naches Valley, Granger has slipped to third in the South Central and the road to the state tourney is an uphill battle now.
Current status: Clinched third in South Central
6. Bellevue Christian, Emerald City League (15-5)
After dropping a close, heart-breaking game to hated rival Cedar Park, the Vikings took out their anger on Northwest (69-32), Overlake (69-39) and finally Seattle Academy (57-54). BCS is the dark horse for this year's tournament. They have the talent (Bryce Oldham, Nick Schubert, Rajan Hansted), they have the potential (Kemper McQuaid, Mike Schubert), but can they come together and beat an elite team? This remains to be seen.
Current status: 1st in Emerald City League, but still need to play ECL championship on Thursday, February 9th against Seattle Academy.
7. King's, Cascade (16-4)
Two weeks ago, you could have made a case for King's to hold the no. 1 spot in 1A, but that's not the case anymore. The Knights dropped two winnable games to Granite Falls and Cedarcrest, which showed that maybe they don't truly belong in the 1A elite anymore.
Current status: Clinched 1st place in Cascade Conference
8. Toledo, Southwest (16-2)
Current status: Clinched 1st place in Trico Conference
9. Okanogan, South Central (17-3)
Current status: Clinched second place in Caribou League
10. Seattle Christian, Nisqually (13-3)
Current status: Has the inside track on Cascade Christian for Nisqually title, should win it.
--Nathan Parsons (@nathanparsons98)
