From the Sideline
Stateline Preps: Boys Hoops Power Rankings (Week 8)
In one of the most exciting games of the season, Beloit Memorial pulled off something that no team has done this year. Beating the No. 1 team in the state and handing Madison East its only loss of the season. It was refreshing to see how good the Purple Knights can be when everything is clicking on all cylinders. It looks like all... »
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... »
Stateline Preps: Boys Hoops Power Rankings (Week 6)
Usually in the power rankings, there's a clear-cut No. 1 team in the Stateline. But, not this week. Never have I been so unsure of a No.1 team until this week. That's because a lot of teams have slipped with the question being how far? Hononegah lost three of four in its own Martin Luther King Jr. Tournament, but those teams were not named... »
Stateline Preps: Boys Hoops Power Rankings (Week 5)
It's crystal clear that after the first 6 weeks of the prep basketball season, this year's teams are different than last year's teams. Beloit Memorial, considered a good bet to make it to the WIAA State Tournament in 2009 look like a team that has to scrap for every victory. The Purple Knights are still a good team built around defense,... »
Stateline Preps: Boys Hoops Power Rankings (Week 4)
After a long holiday break and probably five pounds, it's time to get back to basketball. Most of the Stateline teams competed in tournaments over the past two weeks with some faring well (Beloit Turner) and others doing OK (Beloit Memorial). But tournaments are made for getting better for the rest of the season, which is what those teams can only hope... »
Stateline Preps: Boys Hoops Power Rankings (Week 3)
Last Friday's Hononegah-Boylan showdown was one of the best defensive games I've seen in a while. It had a March feel to it with both teams trading punches and every possession taking on a special meaning. While Hononegah ended up losing, I think the Indians gained some confidence for the future about what kind of team they'd like to be at the... »
Stateline Preps: Boys Hoops Power Rankings (Week 2)
Week 2 in the Prep Boys Basketball season proved to be an interesting one, more from a disappointing perspective. Last week's top three teams (Beloit Memorial, Hononegah, South Beloit) had a chance to really show how good of teams they could be with victories. Two of the three teams lost and the other (Hononegah) looked unimpressive in its 1-point victory over... »
Stateline Preps: Boys Hoops Power Rankings (Week 1)
Welcome back to Stateline Preps Football Powe... Wait a minute, that's not right. I guess with prep football over, it's time for a new Stateline Preps blog — this time for basketball. Just looking at the Stateline teams in the first week, there's a feeling that this could be some of the most talent-laden teams in Stateline history. Consider that nearly every team... »
Stateline Preps: Who will survive?
There are three Stateline teams left in the playoffs and that's not really a surprise. Considering that Hononegah, Big Foot and Brodhead-Juda were the early season favorites to make it to Novemeber, it doesn't come as a shock that they're still here. Hononegah seems to have the toughest task in Saturday's 7A matchup against top-seeded Glenbard West. The Hilltoppers boast one of... »
Stateline Preps: Football Power Rankings (Final Edition)
Welcome to the final edition of the "Football Power Rankings!" It seems like it has been a quick nine weeks and now the playoffs are here. We definitely figured there would be three teams standing (Big Foot, Brodhead-Juda and Hononegah). Now is the time to see how far they can go. There's no doubt Big Foot is the favorite in the WIAA Division 4... »
