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YAIAA boys' basketball power rankings, Dec. 30


Decided to wait until Friday to post the power rankings, so we could let the results of this week's holiday tournaments play out. There were some tough decisions this week; definitely more than five teams worthy of a spot in the rankings. Check out my picks after the jump.

Last week's rankings here.

T-1. South Western (2) -- A team's record has to count for something, and the Mustangs (8-0) are the lone unbeaten YAIAA boys team left. They already have a handful of quality wins, too, having beaten West York and Dover at home and Gettysburg on the road. This week, South Western won the Robert H. Griffith Holiday Classic at York County Tech, toppling York Catholic in the opening round then securing a comeback win against York Suburban. The Mustangs' biggest test so far awaits Tuesday -- a visit to Division I kingpins William Penn.

T-1. William Penn (1) -- Speaking of the Bearcats, I still think they deserve this top spot, despite a 6-2 record and a loss to J.P. McCaskey this week. The bottom line is that William Penn's two losses have come to teams -- Harrisburg and McCaskey -- that may end up being among the district's best this season. And both those games were very competitive. Still feel like the Bearcats are the team to beat in Division I. I suppose we'll find out more Wednesday, though.

3. West York (HM) -- I know, this spot might seem a little high for a 4-3 team. But you have to look beyond the record and see how the Bulldogs got here. Their four wins are all quality ones, and include victories over Dallastown, Dover and previously unbeaten Manheim Township. Their three losses have all been in overtime to quad-A teams (Hempfield, Red Lion, South Western). And West York has won three in a row, which makes them the hottest team in Division II. If the Bulldogs play like they did Thursday against Manheim Township, they can knock off just about anybody in the area.

4. Dallastown (HM) -- Even with a loss to unbeaten Donegal this week, there are a lot of positives to be found with this Wildcats team. Manny Mossengo, already a defensive force in the middle, has started to score a bit more, and some of those first-year starters are beginning to grow into their roles. Dallastown (7-2) also led much of Thursday's game against the Indians, before faltering in the fourth quarter. It could certainly have something to say about the outcome of the Division I race before all is said and done.

5. York Suburban (HM) -- In the span of about 20 hours, the Trojans (6-3) nearly knocked off an unbeaten South Western team, then turned around and handed Middletown its first loss of the season. That says something about the bounce-back ability and general talent level of this group. Of Suburban's three losses, two have come to quad-A teams (Dallastown and the aforementioned Mustangs) and a third came at York Catholic. No clunkers in there. One other things about Tom Triggs' teams -- they always seem to get better as the year goes on.

In the hunt (alphabetical order): Bermudian Springs (7-2), Central York (5-3), Delone Catholic (5-2), Dover (6-3), New Hope (8-2), New Oxford (5-3), Northeastern (3-3), Red Lion (5-4), York Catholic (4-2)

Other thoughts...

-William Penn-South Western is probably the marquee game Tuesday, but one other matchup merits strong interest. That would be York Suburban's visit to 7-2 Bermudian Springs. The Eagles have already equaled their win total from last season, and are certainly harboring hopes of disrupting the Division III title picture. Tuesday should tell us a bit more about them.

-It's impossible to talk about turnaround campaigns without mentioning New Oxford. A year after they won a single game and finished 1-20, the Ox is now 5-3 and could figure into the Division II race. At the very least, no team can afford to take them lightly.

-A new week, a new leading scorer in the league. Step on up Luke Cable, who is averaging 20.4 ppg for West York and took home MVP honors from the Bulldogs holiday tournament this week.

Your turn. Who would your Top 5 be after this week? Chime in using the comments.