Jan. 8: Class A and AA Ranking Updates

<p>As you may have noticed, we’ve tweaked our polling system a little bit to start the new year. From now on, we’ll be rotating our big school/small school updates on a weekly basis.</p> <p>In other words, we’ll be updating our polls every other week rather than weekly. Marc will update the AAA and AAAA polls next weekend.</p> <p>With that housekeeping news out of the way…</p> <p>We saw some significant movement inside the Top 10 in Class AA. Most notably, <strong>Watertown-Mayer</strong> has ascended to #2 after knocking off <strong>Alexandria</strong>, <strong>Heritage Christian</strong> and <strong>St. Louis Park</strong>. This squad is 10-1 and its only loss is to <strong>Orono</strong>, a Top 5 AAA program — that occurred when W-M was significantly shorthanded due to illness.</p> <p>While <strong>Roseau</strong> remains in the top spot, other risers include <strong>Sauk Centre</strong>, <strong>PEM</strong> and <strong>New London-Spicer</strong>. NLS has been especially impressive of late to move into the Top 5. It just beat previously #2 <strong>Minnehaha</strong> by 22 (!!) and the Wildcats’ only loss is a tight one to Sauk Centre. </p> <p>For anyone who thought last year’s run to the state title game was a fluke, think again. That said, another big test looms for NLS on Tuesday against #11 <strong>Annandale</strong>.</p> <p><strong>Norwood-Young America</strong> slides up to #7 and remains undefeated. It’s possible I’m not high enough on this squad, which returns virtually everyone from last year’s state tournament. I’ll be checking them out Saturday in what should be a doozy against #4 PEM at a spectacular small-school showcase in <strong>Hayfield</strong>.</p> <p>As an aside, a full Hayfield preview will be posted later this week and I’m planning to spend my Saturday taking in all the action.</p> <p>In Class A action, we had a pair of Top 5 showdowns. Over the holidays, #1 <strong>Mountain Iron-Buhl</strong> defeated #5 <strong>Cromwell</strong> 66-61 in its closest game of the year. MIB continues to roll, but I’m not dropping Cromwell, despite a 2-game skid. If anything, the Cardinals deserve kudos for playing top-ranked MIB and Roseau tough.</p> <p>On Saturday, #3 <strong>Goodhue</strong> outlasted #6 <strong>Lyle</strong> in overtime to win its 7th straight after an uneven start. That stretch includes a tight win over <strong>Kenyon-Wanamingo</strong>, thanks largely to senior guard McKenzie Ryan dropping 24 on 5 treys. She was banged up to start the year, but it certainly sounds like she’s healthy now.</p> <p>Heritage Christian hit a rough patch against AA powers Roseau and Watertown-Mayer, but the upcoming schedule is daunting, too. Their next nine opponents have winning records, including clashes with #2 <strong>Maranatha</strong>, #7 <strong>SW MN Christian</strong> and #19 <strong>Minneapolis North</strong>. Oofta.</p> <p>While Heritage remains at #6, <strong>Sleepy Eye</strong> took a tumble after its own tough stretch. The Indians recently lost four straight games to fall to 7-4. They dropped from #8 to #18 in our polls.</p> <p>A newcomer in the Class A poll is <strong>Parkers Prairie</strong>. They sit at 7-1 after last week&#39;s victory over Brandon-Evansville. The Panthers&#39; QRF is a modest #31, but their only loss is a 6-point setback against #4 Wheaton.</p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><u><strong>Games to Watch</strong></u></span></p> <p>Kasson-Mantorville at Kenyon-Wanamingo, Monday</p> <p>Pipestone at SW MN Christian, Tuesday</p> <p>Annandale at New London-Spicer, Tuesday</p> <p>Kimball at Eden Valley-Watkins, Tuesday</p> <p>Minneapolis North at Heritage Christian, Wednesday</p> <p>Esko at Cromwell, Thursday</p> <p>New Ulm at Cedar Mountain/Comfrey, Thursday</p> <p>NYA at Mayer Lutheran, Thursday</p> <p>Maranatha at Heritage Christian, Friday</p> <p>Minnehaha at Caledonia, Friday</p> <p>Annandale at Watertown-Mayer, Friday</p> <p>Waseca at Hayfield, Saturday</p> <p>Watertown-Mayer at Eden Valley-Watkins, Saturday</p> <p>St. Croix Lutheran vs Tracy-Milroy-Balaton at Hayfield, Saturday</p>