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.
1. Republic, 19-0 (1)
New week, same spot for the Lady Tigers. Republic is fresh off a pair of close wins over Webb City and Neosho. Could they have been peeking ahead to Thursday’s showdown with Nixa?! Maybe… Regardless, Republic is still numero uno.
2. Walnut Grove, 19-2 (2)
Walnut Grove couldn’t have picked a better time to start playing its best basketball of the season. With the loss to Crane in the rear view, the Lady Tigers have Columbia on their mind. However, Saturday’s likely match up with Seymour in the championship game of the Seymour Tournament is a nice measuring stick game.
3. Crane, 20-3 (3)
The Lady Pirates hiked their win streak to 11 with a pair of dominating victories in SWCL play over Clever and Forsyth. Thursday’s showdown with Ash Grove should be a dandy.
4. West Plains, 21-1 (4)
Andi Haney shot her way into the record books Monday, breaking the school’s all-time scoring record previously held by Mizzou great Kerensa Barr with 1,914. With four more regular season games to go, plus districts, don’t be surprised to see her break the 2,000 point barrier… Oh, by the way the Lady Zizzers have won 12 straight. Class 4 – District 11 with West Plains and Republic will be must see basketball.
5. Seymour, 20-2 (5)
Seymour has won 13 straight, and if not for the stellar play of the previously mentioned teams would be higher in our poll. However a win over Walnut Grove on Saturday may cause a game of leap frog.
6. Skyline, 18-5 (6)
Skyline exacted some revenge against Fair Grove last week to take sole possession of first place in the loaded Mid-Lakes standings. As the saying goes, “there ain’t no rest for the weary”, the Lady Tigers welcome a stout El Dorado Springs team into town on Thursday, before visiting Ash Grove on Monday.
7. Ash Grove, 18-5 (8)
The Lady Pirates have won three straight since dropping back to back games to Branson and Strafford. But the schedule doesn’t get any easier heading into districts. Ash Grove will host a pair of Class 2 title contenders when Crane and Skyline come calling.
8. Nixa, 19-3 (9)
The Lady Eagles have won seven straight and are currently in a three-way tie for first in the COC-Large standings. That will change quickly as their next two games are against the teams they are tied with (Republic & Ozark). If Nixa is still atop the league standings this time next week please make room on the bandwagon for me.
9. Thayer, 18-2 (11)
The Lady Bobcats were able to make it 2-for-2 in revenge opportunities when they beat Alton last week. Thayer will look to wrap up the SCA title next week. If Thayer can continue the roll it’s been on, the Ozarks could potentially find itself with three representatives in the Class 2 Final Four.
10. Ozark, 15-6 (10)
Ozark hasn’t lost to a team within 100 miles of Springfield so far this season. Although a scrappy Neosho team could put them on upset alert on Thursday, expect the Lady Tigers to be unbeaten in COC play heading into next week’s showdown with Nixa and Republic.
11. Chadwick, 19-5 (13)
The Lady Cardinals were eight minutes away from falling out of the poll Monday night. However, Chadwick outscored Morrisville 23-8 in the final frame to eek out stunning comeback win. With Maddie Hursh scoring just five points Coach Meinder’s squad proved they are more than a one man band.
12. Dadeville, 19-2 (12)
Dadeville has a loaded next 6 days. The Lady Bearcats will lock up with Morrisville and Weaubleau before hosting Stockton, the team that handed them their first loss of the season back in Mid-January.
13. Webb City, 17-4 (7)
The Lady Cards became the latest victim of Republic’s 25 game winning streak. However, Webb City may get a shot at revenge during sectionals if both teams can claim district titles.
14. Southwest (Washburn), 21-3 (15)
The Lady Trojans are one win away from wrapping up an Ozark 7 title. Southwest is likely the No. 2 seed in a loaded Class 3 – District 12 field including Mount Vernon and Ash Grove.
15. Fair Grove, 15-5 (14)
Last week’s loss to Skyline was bad, but not the end of the world. With a little help from Pleasant Hope or Ash Grove, Fair Grove will still have an outside shot at a conference title. That is if the Lady Eagles can take care of business against Marionville, Stockton, and Strafford.
Knockin’ on the door: Pierce City (13-8), Bolivar (15-5), El Dorado Springs (15-6), Morrisville (16-6), Branson (14-8), Weaubleau (18-4), Marionville (16-6), Strafford (15-8), Blue Eye (14-6)
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