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YAIAA boys' basketball power rankings, Feb. 3


For the first in more than a month, we have a new No. 1 in our weekly rankings. Who were this week's risers and fallers? Check out the jump for more.

Last week's rankings here.

1. William Penn (2) -- There have been plenty of factors behind the Bearcats' scintillating run of late, but two stand out: The insertion of Derek Wilson into the lineup, and the lights-out play of Dejian Williams. Wilson has given William Penn (16-4) an extra dimension as a solid defender and an above-the-rim finisher, while Williams has topped 20 points in each of his last five games, including a 28-point outing in a pasting of South Western last Friday. And as if that wasn't enough of a statement, the Bearcats went out the next night and beat District 1 nemesis Penn Wood up in Reading. It looks like the Bearcats are hitting their stride at the exact right time of year.

2. South Western (1) -- The Mustangs (18-2) got chopped back to reality last Friday, but they're still in relatively good shape. With wins over Red Lion and Dallastown, South Western would still win a share of the YAIAA Division I title and a No. 1 seed in the YAIAA tournament (it holds the tiebreaker over William Penn). Of course, the Lions have been playing well and the Wildcats are certainly no pushover. One good sign for the Mustangs: Parker's Beans 22-point outburst against Central York on Tuesday. The 6-foot-6 junior had been held to 10 or fewer points in five of his last seven games.

3. York Suburban (3) -- The Trojans grabbed control of the Division III title race -- and the inside track to a No. 1 seed in the YAIAA tournament -- with a convincing win over Bermudian Springs last Friday. York Suburban's winning streak is up to 11 games now, and while there's no shortage of contenders in the District 3-AAA field this season, the Trojans look like they could play with just about anybody. While Suburban teams of the recent past have been based more on efficiency than flash, this group can put up points in a hurry. The Trojans are averaging 65.3 per game, the second-most in the YAIAA.

4. Dover (T-5) -- The Eagles (14-6) have a chance to lock up a Division II title Friday night when they host Northeastern. But rest assured, this seems to be a different, more confident Bobcats squad than the one Dover took out more than a month ago. The Eagles will need another efficient effort from their guards, who controlled the ball and drained seven 3-pointers in the teams' first meeting. Jerell Figueroa is coming of a 24-point performance against New Oxford in which he buried six 3-pointers.

5. Northeastern (T-5) -- Talk about having plenty to play for: Win Friday, and the Bobcats (13-5) not only force a tie atop the Division II standings heading into next week, but they also secure a tiebreaker over Dover for seeding in the YAIAA tournament. Not to mention the obvious District 3 tournament implications (Northeastern is currently a No. 6 seed). The Bobcats seem to have found themselves lately, winning eight of their last nine since that defeat to the Eagles. And that one loss came to William Penn. Elijah Cooper is coming off a 25-point outing against West York, and Khalid Nwandu has picked up the scoring lately, as well.

- Honorable mention goes to York Catholic (13-6), for its huge upset of Berks Catholic on Wednesday. That should provide a huge push in the Irish's bid to grab the No. 1 seed in the District 3-AA tournament.

In the hunt (alphabetical order): Bermudian Springs (15-4), Central York (11-9), Dallastown (11-8), Delone Catholic (14-6), Red Lion (11-9)