1. Republic, 17-0 (1)
The possibility of the Lady Tigers having a perfect regular season is becoming more real each week. Republic captured its third tournament championship last week when they defeated tournament host Nevada 59-34 last Saturday. Coach Flood will have to get his girls ready for what will be one of its toughest games of the season on Thursday when they visit a talented Webb City team.
2. Walnut Grove, 17-2 (2)
Any worries about Walnut Grove have been erased by the Lady Tigers current four game winning streak. Walnut Grove all but wrapped up another PCL title with a hard fought win over No. 4 Dadeville, this following blowout wins over Weaubleau, Pleasant Hope and Humansville. Halfway will come calling on Friday, followed by next week’s Seymour Tournament.
3. Crane, 18-3 (3)
Quick, name the last tame to beat the Lady Pirates… If you don’t remember, you aren’t alone. Crane has ripped off nine straight wins dating back to Dec. 28. The last team to beat them was… Republic.
4. West Plains, 19-1 (4)
West Plains ended the Reeds Spring Tournament the way they started it. Hot. The Lady Zizzers boast a 10 game winning streak heading into the stretch run of Ozark Conference play.
5. Seymour, 18-2 (7)
The Lady Tigers have won 11 straight, and by virtue of their win over Gainesville back in December have clinched at least a share of the Summit championship. Seymour can claim the title outright with a win over Mansfield on Thursday.
6. Skyline, 16-5 (6)
If you look at Skyline’s last five games you would think its three losses would be reason enough to sound the alarm. However, all three losses came to teams that are not only bigger (Class 3-5), but all three schools have been state-ranked at some point this season. Nonetheless, the Lady Tigers are still in the thick of things in the Mid-Lakes race with four conference games left to play.
7. Webb City, 16-3 (10)
The Lady Cardinals have won 13 of their last 14 games heading into Thursday’s showdown with top ranked Republic. At least one of these two teams has advanced to the Final Four in each of the last four seasons.
8. Ash Grove, 16-5 (5)
The Lady Pirates have hit a low point this season. Ash Grove has lost two if its last three games, in addition to losing three marquee players to injury. While a Mid-Lakes title seems unlikely now following last Thursday’s loss at Strafford, if the Lady Pirates are to make a run to Columbia they will need to get healthy first.
9. Nixa, 17-3 (11)
Although I’m still not completely sold on the Lady Eagles, they continue to prove me wrong. Nixa topped Class 2 Skyline on Monday in a rematch of the PWLC third place game, 52-35. Coach Middleton’s squad will finish the season in COC play, which currently has seven of its eight teams of .500.
10. Ozark, 14-6 (8)
The Lady Tigers have won five of their last six games, with the lone defeat coming to state-ranked Blue Springs. Ozark, one of four teams currently unbeaten in COC Large play, will finish the season with five straight conference games.
11. Thayer, 15-2 (12)
Thayer got payback in a big way Monday night when they trounced Willow Springs 75-56 in a rematch of the Thayer Tournament championship that Lady Bears won by two. With the win, the Lady Bobcats maintain sole possession of first place in the SCA. Thursday’s contest at Houston, who trails Thayer by one game in league standings, will go a long way in helping to decide the SCA crown.
12. Dadeville, 18-2 (9)
It’s safe to say Dadeville is about sick of the Harman name. In fact, the Lady Bearcats have dropped seven straight to Walnut Grove when a Harman is on the Lady Tiger’s roster. Tuesday’s 41-36 WG win will likely come with a rematch in the Class 1 – District 5 championship game.
13. Chadwick, 17-5 (13)
Things are looking good in Lady Cardinal country. Maddie Hursh is on the verge of shattering Addy Roller’s state record for single-season 3s, and the Chadwick has essentially locked up the Mark Twain title and the top seed in Class 1 – District 4.
14. Fair Grove, 15-5 (14)
Fair Grove is one of only two teams that are unbeaten in Mid-Lakes play. The other team, Skyline, is the Lady Eagles opponent on Thursday. Fair Grove won the prior meeting three weeks ago in the championship game of the Lady Tiger’s tournament.
15. Southwest (Washburn), 18-3 (15)
Southwest was idle last week. That eight game winning streak may have tuckered them out a bit. The Lady Trojans are back in action Friday when they visit Purdy in an Ozark 7 showdown.
Knockin’ on the door: Morrisville (16-4), Branson (14-6), Weaubleau (17-4), Marionville (15-5), Camdenton (14-5), Pierce City (12-8), Sparta (15-5), Bolivar (13-5)
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