Power Pack: RI High School Boys’ Basketball: February 14th
Friday, February 14, 2014
Jack Andrade, GoLocalProv Sports Reporter
There's a new team at the top of the RIIL boys' basketball rankings this week, as well as 3 new teams in the Top 10 overall. Plenty of shifting has occurred throughout the Power Pack, and with the Open Tournament just weeks away it figures to be an exciting and unpredictable postseason. Here's the updated rankings and a preview of the week ahead.
Related Slideshow: Power Pack: RI High School Boys’ Basketball: February 14th
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Hope
Division Record: 9-6 (Division 1 Central)
Overall Record: 10-7
Hope earns the final spot in this week's Top 10 because of how good they are when at their best. The Blue Wave don't boast the most impressive record in Division 1, but with wins over powers like Classical, North Kingstown, and Coventry on their resume, Hope has proven they can beat anyone. They'll be a tough out in the Open Tournament.
Last Week: Not Ranked
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East Greenwich
Division Record: 12-0 (Division 3 West)
Overall Record: 14-2
After easy wins over Middletown and Mt. Hope last week, it's clear East Greenwich is the team to beat in Division 3 this year. EG is riding a 12 game winning streak, using a strong defensive identity (averaging just over 40 points per game allowed) to surge to the top of the Division 3 standings and into the Power Pack.
Last Week: Not Ranked
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Prout
Division Record: 10-3 (Division 2 South)
Overall Record: 12-6
Prout is coming off a loss to Barrington, but the Crusaders had won 3 in a row prior to that game and have been hovering as a dark horse all season long. With Rogers, Shea, and Charho lined up in the next 6 days, Prout has an opportunity to build some momentum heading into the postseason.
Last Week: Not Ranked
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Smithfield
Division Record: 10-3 (Division 1 North)
Overall Record: 11-3
Smithfield has now won 8 straight games in Division 1, but I couldn't find a way to move the white-hot Sentinels up in this week's Power Pack due to the abundance of top-tier teams ahead of them. Smithfield beat La Salle, Woonsocket, and Mt. Pleasant last week.
Last Week: #7
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Hendricken
Division Record: 10-3 (Division 1 South)
Overall Record: 10-4
Hendricken falls out of the Top 5 after a week that included losses to Central and North Kingstown and a win over Coventry. The Hawks did beat Smithfield by 19 earlier this season, so I'm keeping them ahead of the Sentinels for the time being. Hendricken has a big week ahead, taking on Cranston West on Friday, La Salle on Sunday, and being faced with a rematch with Coventry next Tuesday.
Last Week: #5
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Barrington
Division Record: 13-1 (Division 2 East)
Overall Record: 16-3
Barrington is 5-0 since the previous Power Pack, winning those games by an average of nearly 30 points. The Eagles are as hot as any team in the state right now, and they'll be put to the test by Westerly on Friday and Tiverton on Tuesday.
Last Week: #6
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North Kingstown
Division Record: 10-3 (Division 1 South)
Overall Record: 15-3
North Kingstown bounced back from a 2 game skid and won 3 games last week, pulling out close wins over East Providence, Cranston East, and Hendricken. The Skippers now get set for a Friday night showdown with rival South Kingstown, followed by a trip to Cranston West next Tuesday.
Last Week: #4
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Coventry
Division Record: 11-4 (Division 1 South)
Overall Record: 16-4
Coventry split their 4 games since the previous Power Pack, falling to Classical and Hendricken in that 2-2 span. The Oakers are still a Top 3 team on resume this season, and they'll get another shot at Hendricken next Tuesday in a marquee matchup.
Last Week: #2
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La Salle
Division Record: 11-1 (Division 1 North)
Overall Record: 16-1
La Salle dropped a 69-61 game last week to Smithfield, finally falling from the ranks of the unbeaten in Division 1. The Rams bounced back with a win over St. Raphael, and this week they'll face Woonsocket, Hendricken, and Mt. Pleasant over a 5 day stretch as they look to regain the top spot in the Power Pack.
Last Week: #1
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West Warwick
Division Record: 14-0 (Division 2 Central)
Overall Record: 18-1
With 18 consecutive wins under their belt, West Warwick is the new team at the top of the Power Pack. With 1,426 points scored this season, West Warwick is the most prolific offensive team in the state. The Wizards will shoot for 20 in a row this week when they host Central Falls on Friday and Shea on Tuesday.
Last Week: #3
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