Stateline Preps: Boys Hoops Power Rankings (Week 9)
After nine weeks of prep basketball, it’s become pretty clear that there isn’t a dominant team in the Stateline.
It’s more about who’s playing better than the other team each week rather than consistency throughout the season.
Last year, there was three teams (Hononegah, Beloit Memorial and South Beloit) who were legitimate state contenders.
This year, I’m not sure how many of the Stateline teams will make it out of regionals. That doesn’t mean there isn’t talent in the area, it just means that I question the strength of each team. I don’t think there’s one team, with perhaps the exception of Parkview, that can say they were better than last season.
(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. HONONEGAH (18-6): This ranking might as well go with an asterisk because Hononegah has been sliding by each week. The Indians barely got past a below-average Freeport team last week and wouldn’t have done so with Andrew Tapley’s three-pointers. The one possible thing that could separate the Indians apart from other teams is their defense. While their offense is hit-or-miss, the Indians are a strong defensive team that creates turnovers and forces teams to take outside shots. NEXT: Friday at Rockford Boylan, 7 p.m.
2. BELOIT MEMORIAL (10-7): Ever since Beloit knocked off No. 1 Madison East, the Purple Knights have gone into a slump, losing their last two games to Milwaukee Washington and Madison La Follette. Of course, not having Rob Douglas or Leketrius Broomfield (disciplinary reasons) in the loss to La Follette could have something to do with it. The Knights need to re-focus and prepare for the postseason. NEXT: Tuesday vs. Madison West, 7:30 p.m.; Friday at Madison Memorial, 7:30 p.m.
3. SOUTH BELOIT (17-4): The SoBos are back! Well, not quite. But an impressive 84-73 victory over Pecatonica last week should leave them feeling good, especially after they lost to the Indians twice this season. Katonka Friar has been outstanding and Terrel Williams has provided a dependable scorer in the backcourt, much like last year with Antonio Little. But, I’m not sure if there’s a Matt Peterson on this squad. The underrated center was a catalyst for more victories than people think. NEXT: Tuesday at A/FC, 7:30 p.m.; Friday vs. Durand, 7:30 p.m.
4. PARKVIEW (13-5): The pressure of winning its first conference title in 44 years might finally be getting to the Vikings. Parkview hasn’t looked the same since beating Brodhead two week ago, losing to McFarland and East Troy and putting together an uninspiring performance in a win over bottom-feeding Palmyra-Eagle. These next two weeks will be pivotal for Parkview to get going in the right direction. NEXT: Thursday at Brodhead, 7:15 p.m.
5. BIG FOOT (8-9): The Chiefs’ overall record is not so hot, but the Chiefs are still strong in the Rock Valley South Conference, tallying a 7-4 record and standing only 1 game behind division-leading Parkview. Big Foot’s scored only 906 points this year, but have surrendered only 912, leaving most of the credit for its defense.
STAR SYSTEM
(I award stars to the top five players in the past week, checking out who had star performances in Week 9).
1. ANDREW TAPLEY (HONONEGAH) — The Hononegah junior may be the best pure shooter in Hononegah history — and that’s saying something. He knocked down all 7 three-pointers last Friday in the Indians 70-67 win over Freeport. None were bigger than his seventh trey when he buried it in the corner while getting fouled, converting a four-point play and leading the Indians to an unlikely victory.
2. KATONKA FRIAR (SOUTH BELOIT) — If there’s been a more consistent player in the Stateline this season, I’d like to know. Continuing a steady progression that began last summer, Friar netted 79 points in the SoBos past three games, all of which were wins.
3. MARCUS GREBEN (BIG FOOT) — All offseason, Big Foot coach Dan Dowden was talking up how much Greben improved. Well, Beloit Turner saw first-hand how much improvement in last Friday’s game. Greben scored a career-high 32 points and led the Chiefs to a 61-52 victory over the Trojans.
4. JAY NAATZ (PARKVIEW) — Welcome back to relevance Jay Naatz! For much of the season, Naatz was the Vikings second-leading scorer behind Nick Melton. But Naatz had been quiet as of late until last Friday, when he scored 20 in a win over Palmyra-Eagle.
5. MARIO DONALDSON (HONONEGAH) — The senior guard has handled his benching with aplomb. He was vital in the Indians overtime win over the Pretzels, scoring 19 points off the bench and 21 more in Saturday’s victory over Rockford East. He’s the best sixth man in the Stateline.
Hononegah's Lucas Limberg
