Stateline Preps: Boys Hoops Power Rankings (Week 7)
The Stateline Power Rankings begin with a new team atop the poll!
It finally looks like there is a team in the Stateline that has the talent to be reckoned with.
While still uncertain about this team’s long-term stay atop the rankings, it’s clear that they have become the best team in the area. It’s only fitting since they have the best player, who’s been playing at an extremely high level over the past two weeks.
That team would be the Parkview Vikings.
(Disclaimer: This is my opinion only, so if you don’t agree with it, feel free to send me a comment on the bottom of the page. Otherwise, it’s not a life-and-death situation.)
1. PARKVIEW (12-3): The Vikings have won nine straight games, earning their way atop the rankings, making the jump from the No. 3 spot last week. Parkview looked unstoppable in its 66-54 win over Brodhead on Monday and gutted out a huge 81-78 overtime win over Beloit Turner last weekend. A win over Big Foot (46-45) gives the Vikings victories over the top 3 RV South teams. While no one is ready to proclaim that 1966 (Parkview’s last conference title) is dead, it’s hard to stop this train coming. Nick Melton has proven to be the best player in the Stateline, scoring 63 points in the Vikings’ past 2 victories. It looks like the Vikings are this year’s version of the SoBos. NEXT: Thursday at McFarland, 7:15 p.m.
2. BELOIT MEMORIAL (8-5): The Purple Knights have had their fair share of agonizing losses this season, losing to Madison East (63-61), Madison Memorial (45-40), Middleton (73-66) and, just last Friday, Sun Prairie (54-53). It’s hard to tell if these losses will make Beloit better in the long run, but they certainly sting right now. If these losses damage the Knights’ confidence, it’ll be an even tougher, longer season for Beloit. The only positive has been K.J. Evans, who scored 34 in Beloit’s 80-71 win over Janesville Parker last Saturday. NEXT: Tuesday at Janesville Craig, 7:30 p.m.; Friday vs. Madison East, 7:30 p.m.
3. HONONEGAH (14-6): If there is any team that can sympathize with Beloit Memorial’s close losses, it would be the Indians. The Hononegah losses have become a broken record with the Indians grabbing an early lead, but then losing it late. The Indians did it again in Saturday’s loss to Rockford Auburn, taking a 37-34 lead into the fourth quarter, only to lose 57-53. Chase Robinson has played better (19 points against Auburn), but Mario Donaldson has been too inconsistent for the Indians to remain a threat in the NIC-10 race. NEXT: Friday at Harlem, 7 p.m.; Saturday vs. Rockford Guilford, 7 p.m.
4. SOUTH BELOIT (13-4): South Beloit had a more meaningful game against Dakota on Saturday night and the SoBos came up a little short, losing 64-62 on their home floor. Last season, South Beloit tended to get stronger at the end of games, but have been inconsistent this season in that area. They did, however, get a big NUIC win over Freeport Aquin last week, keeping themselves in the conference race. NEXT: Friday vs. Milledgeville, 7:30 p.m.
5. BELOIT TURNER (9-4): The Trojans had a chance to right their season last Friday, but instead lost to the quicker, more explosive Vikings in overtime. Turner is a team that needs to play its style of basketball to be successful, but when that doesn’t happen, usually bad things happen for the Trojans. Getting Tevian Pinckney involved in the offense could be a solution, but it’s still too early to panic for the Trojans, even though they’ve dropped three straight. NEXT: Thursday at Whitewater, 7:15 p.m.
STAR SYSTEM
(I award stars to the top five players in the past week, checking out who had star performances in Week 7).
1. NICK MELTON (PARKVIEW) — I’m not sure if they’re constructing his statue in Orfordville yet, but Melton has meant so much to the Vikings program. He scored 38 in the win over Turner and 25 more against Brodhead. If there is one thing that sets Melton apart from the rest of the pack, it’s his unbelievable court vision and the ability to find open teammates.
2. K.J. EVANS (BELOIT MEMORIAL) — Evans scored 34 in the win over Janesville Parker and seems to be heating up over the last two weeks. He scored 25 in the win over Verona, 22 in the loss to Middleton and 19 in the one-point defeat to Sun Prairie.
3. MIKE WALKER (BIG FOOT) — Walker was a card-carrying member of the Star System as a football player, but this is his first time during the hoops season — and for good reason. He scored 20 points in the Chiefs’ 74-62 win over Clinton, knocking down four three-pointers. If the Chiefs backcourt can round into shape, they could be tough during the second half of the season.
4. DENZEL WOODS (SOUTH BELOIT) — Woods tallied 42 points in the SoBos games against Freeport Aquin and Dakota last week. His shooting touch in starting to come back, especially in the SoBos’ two-point loss to the Indians, where he drained six.
5. KYLE WOODWORTH (PARKVIEW) — Woodworth gives the Vikings and inside presence that’ll be beneficial come tournament time. He scored 20 points in the win over Turner.
