Warriors, Jags, Bulldogs ranked in girls basketball rankings

Published 11:32 am Thursday, January 12, 2017

By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Sports Editor

Just like the guys rankings, we’ve been on a month-long hiatus from receiving a new ASWA girls basketball rankings. When we left things last, there were four county teams ranked, Montevallo, Spain Park, Thompson and Westminster at Oak Mountain.

There were a few shifts in the newest edition of the rankings, but nothing too extreme as three of those teams remained ranked and one moved to the nominated category.

In Class 7A, Spain Park and Thompson still found themselves in the top 10 of the rankings. The Jags, who were 6-3 when the last rankings were released, have gone 6-4 over their past 10 games and currently hold a record of 12-7 (1-0), which was good enough for the No. 6 spot in 7A. This makes them the highest ranked team in Shelby County and they are coming off of a 30-point win over Oak Mountain on Tuesday, Jan. 10.

The Lady Eagles also received a nomination for a spot in the top 10 and probably would’ve cracked into the rankings had they beaten Spain Park as they hold a 12-6 (0-1) record.

Thompson narrowly squeaked into the top 10 as they garnished the 10th and final spot in the 7A ranks. The Warriors currently sit at the 12-6 (1-0) mark this season. Thompson honestly could be ranked higher, but has lost a few games they should’ve easily won. Coming off of a blowout loss to No. 2 ranked Hoover, the Warriors have won six of their past eight games and have plenty of chance to climb the rankings ahead of them.

Montevallo was the only other girls team to crack the top 10 in their respective rankings coming in as the eighth ranked team in Class 3A. That’s four spots lower than No. 4 where they were in the last released rankings. The Bulldgos were 8-1 at that point and have since gone 4-2 to bring their overall record to 12-3 (1-1). They still have plenty of opportunity ahead of them and remain one of the best teams in the county.

Class 1A Westminster at Oak Mountain was the only other team nominated in the rankings as they currently have a record of 9-4 (2-2). The Lady Knights might have a few games missing in that which caused for the drop from the top 10, but are right in the thick of things when it comes to their area.

CLASS 7A
1. Sparkman (18-3)
2. Hoover (16-6)
3. McGill-Toolen (16-4)
4. Gadsden City (16-3)
5. Central-Phenix City (14-3)
6. Spain Park (12-7)
7. Hewitt-Trussville (10-9)
8. Tuscaloosa County (18-3)
9. Auburn (13-6)
10. Thompson (12-6)
Others nominated: Mountain Brook (12-7), Oak Mountain (12-6).

CLASS 3A
1. Lauderdale County (18-3)
2. Locust Fork (19-1)
3. Plainview (19-0)
4. Montgomery Academy (14-3)
5. Midfield (14-8)
6. Pisgah (14-5)
7. Lexington (13-5)
8. Montevallo (12-3)
9. Hillcrest-Evergreen (11-0)
10. Colbert County (9-3)
Others nominated: Daleville (11-6), Geneva (14-3), J.B. Pennington (13-5), Pleasant Valley (10-8).

CLASS 1A
1. Loachapoka (12-2)
2. Spring Garden (12-5)
3. Decatur Heritage (9-3)
4. J.F. Shields (8-3)
5. Linden (12-1)
6. Pleasant Home (13-4)
7. Skyline (13-4)
8. Brantley (12-4)
9. Addison (13-2)
10. Hackleburg (6-5)
Others nominated: Georgiana (9-5), Isabella (12-3), Holy Spirit (10-1), Vina (17-4), Westminster-Oak Mountain (9-4).