SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The O-Zone Power Rankings are compiled by the staff each week based on a team's relative dominance by class. The schools are not compared head to head, but rather by how strong they are against similar competition as well as current momentum.
2013 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions recap
(Last week in parenthesis)
- Billings, 15-1 (1) – The Wildcats have now won nine straight games with wins over Sparta and Forsyth last week. 3 and 0 in the SWCL, but the coming week features a major test. The class 2 top ranked Wildcats open the Nixa Tournament Thursday against perennial power KC Hogan Prep. A win would set up a meeting with class 5 top ranked Nixa for the second straight year.
- Nixa, 13-3 (2) – No shame in the Eagles 1 and 2 weekend at the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions. In addition to competitive losses against Montverde Academy, Fl. (ESPN #1) and St. John Bosco, Ca. the Eagles also knocked off Kentucky power Bullitt East. The bad news, a torn MCL has senior forward Jalen Norman out for at least four weeks. The good news, several players stepped up big in his absence, including sophomore Jacob Ruder and junior Wes Middleton.
- Republic, 14-1 (3) – The Tigers picked up a 39 point win over Carl Junction in their only action last week. They’ll take part in the Rogersville Tournament this week as the favorite before getting into the meat of COC Large action next week. All systems are go for Coach Fisher’s club as they will likely have no more than three losses heading into the playoffs.
- Strafford, 13-2 (4) – Despite playing without leading scorer Jacob Wade the Indians haven’t skipped a beat; dominating Mid-Lakes rival Ash Grove by 19 on Friday before cruising against Crystal City in the Camdenton Laker Shootout Saturday. The Indians are in the Rogersville Tournament this week; the smallest of eight schools. They’ll open against West Plains and with a win would have a likely Blue and Gold rematch against Ozark in round 2.
- Parkview, 15-2 (5) – Vikings senior Erik Durham made history Tuesday night with a school record 44 points in a 21 point win over West Plains. PHS got the rest of the week off in preparation for trips to Kickapoo and Branson this week. You can’t help but wonder how Coach Brown’s boys might have fared with a shot at the T of C this season.
- Mt Vernon, 14-4 (6) – Another week, another two victories, as the Mountaineers knocked off Big 8 foe Aurora and state ranked Clever. Coach Brock’s ‘Neers face a stiff lineup in the Nixa Tournament this week, opening with Willard. Despite their four early losses we should see Mount Vernon in this week’s class 3 top 10.
- Fair Play, 12-1 (9) – The Hornets bettered Hermitage by 25 in their lone matchup this week. The coming week features a pair of key Polk County League games against Wheatland and Humansville.
- Hartville, 15-2 (11) – The Eagles have now won six straight after a close win over Mansfield followed by a 61-30 win over Norwood. With seven games remaining Hartville has a great shot at running the table to districts, including games against MV-BT/Liberty and Houston this week.
- Skyline (13-4) – The Tigers are red hot with six straight wins since falling to Spokane in the Blue and Gold. They picked up wins over Ash Grove and Macks Creek last week on the heels of capturing their own tournament two weeks ago. They’ll host Stockton in their only game this week Friday night.
- Clever, 14-3 (7) – One on the left side, one on the right. The Jays opened the week with a big win over rival Crane, but closed with a nine point setback against red hot Mount Vernon. With a peek at the remaining schedule only Billings stands in the way of a possible perfect run to the playoffs.
- Hillcrest, 12-5 (8) – It was a busy week for the Hornets opening with a big win over Marshfield before embarking upon the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions. Coach Schaefer’s club fell to eventual champion Paul VI in the first round before blasting Prestenwood Christian, then falling in overtime to Bullitt East in the 5th place game. Not what the North Siders were hoping for, but remember, the last two times they made T of C appearances ended with trips to the state championship. The return of big man Jonah Hill could be a big boost moving forward.
- Webb City, 12-3 (12) – The Cardinals picked up a couple of wins this week, by 32 over Central and 13 over Rogersville. They’ll travel east once again for a spot in the Bolivar Tournament, opening Wednesday against Morrisville.
- Crane, 11-4 (10) – It was an up and down week for the Pirates. They opened with a 65-57 setback at the hands of Clever, but bounced back to beat Morrisville by 21 to close out the week. It’s back in the saddle this week at the Conway Tournament, opening Monday against Stoutland.
- Kickapoo (9-4) – The Chiefs haven’t exactly been dominant, but with decisive wins over Raytown and Liberty last week, along with an improving roster, we believe the Chiefs will be a team to be reckoned with by playoff time. Poo is the number two seed in the deep Nixa Tournament this week.
- Branson, 12-6 (15) – After handily beating Rogersville the Pirates fell to class 5 10th ranked Vianney in the Camdenton Laker Shootout. A wickedly tough schedule is coming up with Parkview, Nixa, Ozark and Webb City on the way.
E-Mail
Print
