YAIAA boys' basketball power rankings
As West York coach Bill Ackerman said last week after Central York beat his team, 71-50, "We had some time in the spotlight, and now the spotlight goes directly on them."
Indeed it does.
The Panthers have yet to lose a YAIAA game and own some impressive non-league wins (Cumberland Valley) to go with a close loss to District 3 Class AAAA frontrunner Wilson. So it's no shock Central stands atop the YAIAA boys' basketball power rankings. Here they are:
1. Central York (13-2) -- Coming Tuesday is a trip to William Penn and a rematch with the defending league champs, whom the Panthers beat once already this season.
2. West York (16-1) -- Ackerman also said following that Central game they want to be the best in a few weeks, alluding to the YAIAA tournament. They've already clinched a share of the Division II title, holding a four-game lead on Northeastern and Dover with four games to play.
3. Red Lion (15-2) -- The Lions showed what they can do, defensively, on the perimeter in Friday's win at Dover.
4. Bermudian Springs (14-1) -- If you count previous seasons, the Eagles have easily been the league's most consistent teams. They hold a one-game lead on York Suburban, which they beat earlier for the Trojans' only divisional loss.
5. William Penn (10-5) -- These young Bearcats have a big opportunity Tuesday against Central. As it currently stands, they are tied with Dallastown for the fourth and last spot in the YAIAA tournament for teams in Divisions I and II.
In contention: 6. York Suburban (11-4), 7. Dallastown (9-6), 8. Hanover (12-4), 9. Northeastern (8-8), 10. Delone Catholic (10-6).