YAIAA girls' basketball power rankings: Susquehannock climbing
The final week of the regular season is on the horizon, so let's re-calibrate the YAIAA girls' basketball power rankings with just a few games left until the league tournament.
Potentially, three divisions could be on the line Tuesday night. Only Eastern York in Division III has clinched a title before Friday night's games. West York, which plays host to New Oxford, can clinch Division I with a win.
Click here for a breakdown of the league tournament picture.
As for how we think the league stacks up entering play Friday, here's the order:
1. Dover (17-1) -- No one can argue with Dover's results. The Eagles' only setback through 18 games was an overtime loss at Red Lion. Northeastern, which the Eagles topped in overtime when Alayah Hall took the program's scoring record, stands in the way of a Tuesday showdown with Susquehannock. The Eagles took the first meeting by three in OT.
2. Susquehannock (16-3) -- The Warriors continue to rack up impressive wins, the latest being a 20-point victory against York Catholic. Now ranked atop the District 3 Class AAA ratings, the Warriors only seem to be getting better.
3. Delone Catholic (17-2) -- Speaking of ascending teams, Delone Catholic showed its capabilities against YAIAA Division I leader West York on Saturday at the Red Lion Showcase. All signs point to a rematch Tuesday at York Catholic for the Division IV title. If both teams win Friday, the game will be for an outright title. The Irish have won four straight since Delone's streak of five culminated with its last in 2009.
4. York Catholic (15-3) -- The Irish go to Biglerville on Friday to face the tandem of Rebecca Isaac and Katie Camera. Delone must go through Hanover, which is without injured sophomore standout Soukaina Tracy. The Irish's strong non-league schedule is what holds them at No. 4 despite Tuesday's 20-point loss. The recent week did result in Delone moving up to No. 1 in the latest Class AA district ratings.
5. West York (13-6) -- The Bulldogs are close to a Division I title. They can clinch Friday with a win against New Oxford, which moved up to No. 6 in our rankings. Although the Colonials lost to South Western, which hadn't won a league game, they beat Red Lion for a second time and also topped Dallastown. Most of New Oxford's losses have been by narrow margins. Which Colonials team will West York get on Friday?
In contention: 6. New Oxford (11-8), 7. Dallastown (14-6), 8. Red Lion (13-7), 9. Eastern York (12-6), 10. Spring Grove (11-8).