Power Pack: RI High School Boys’ Basketball: January 21st
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Jack Andrade, GoLocalProv Sports Reporter
It's been 11 days since the last Boys' Basketball Power Pack, and we have a shakeup in the Top 4 and throughout the entire Top 10 as teams are beginning to show us just what they are. Whether they're Open Tournament contenders, division leaders, or something below that, all have provided great drama thus far and the heat is about to turn up in the coming week as a bunch of high profile matchups take center stage. Here's a look at the updated Top 10 and a look ahead at some of those marquee games to watch.
Related Slideshow: Power Pack: RI High School Boys’ Basketball: January 21st
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Smithfield
Division Record: 4-3 (Division 1 North)
Overall Record: 5-3
Smithfield edges out Cranston East for the final spot in the Top 10 this week. While the Thunderbolts (5-2 in Division 1, 8-3 overall) have a better record, Smithfield has played a wild schedule and have more significant wins on their resume. The Sentinels beat Classical and nearly beat North Kingstown (lost by 1) and Coventry (lost by 7).
Last Week: Not Ranked
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Hendricken
Division Record: 3-1 (Division 1 South)
Overall Record: 3-1
Hendricken holds onto a Top 10 spot despite losing to North Kingstown, bit once again a small sample size hurts the Hawks. They beat Smithfield pretty handily, and on name alone they deserve to be higher than 9th in the Power Pack, but these games aren't played on paper. I need the Hawks to live up to their prestige before pushing them up the Power Pack.
Last Week: #7
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Prout
Division Record: 6-0 (Division 2 South)
Overall Record: 8-3
Prout has been outstanding in Division 2 thus far, and their non-league losses haven't been shameful at all (Middletown, Classical, Charlestown (MA)). The Crusaders have a big game Tuesday night when they go on the road and play a Central Falls team that is also 6-0 in Division 2 games this season.
Last Week: #8
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Middletown
Division Record: 5-0 (Division 3 East)
Overall Record: 8-1
Middletown beat Prout and split 1-1 with Portsmouth in their 2 non-league meetings, and outside of that it's been smooth sailing to this point in Division 3. The Islanders look to continue their success this week against Toll Gate and Davies.
Last Week: #9
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Barrington
Division Record: 5-1 (Division 2 East)
Overall Record: 8-2
Barrington has been rock solid in Division 2, losing only to West Warwick in league play (and North Kingstown in non-league action). The Eagles have also beaten a pair of Division 1 teams in Mt. Pleasant and East Providence. Looking ahead a couple of games on the schedule, Barrington hosts La Salle Sunday and has a chance to potentially hand the Rams their first loss.
Last Week: #5
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West Warwick
Division Record: 5-0 (Division 2 Central)
Overall Record: 9-1
West Warwick has won 9 in a row after their season opening loss to Coventry, with the streak highlighted by a 76-64 win over Barrington on Friday. The Wizards are the best offensive team in the state, scoring an incredible 73.1 points per game this season.
Last Week: #6
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Classical
Division Record: 6-1 (Division 1 Central)
Overall Record: 9-3
Classical has played a lot of out of state opponents in non-league games, but in league play their only loss came to Smithfield. Prout is probably the best win on the defending champions' resume, but that could change Wednesday night when they go on the road to play La Salle.
Last Week: #2
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Coventry
Division Record: 5-1 (Division 1 South)
Overall Record: 10-1
Coventry has beaten everyone they've faced but La Salle, and that includes nice wins over West Warwick and Smithfield. They're bona fide legitimate contenders in the Open Tournament. The Oakers host North Kingstown Friday in an epic matchup.
Last Week: #4
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North Kingstown
Division Record: 7-1 (Division 1 South)
Overall Record: 12-1
Smithfield, Barrington, and Hendricken have all been knocked off by North Kingstown this season, with the Skippers' lone loss coming at the hands of La Salle. The only team in the state with 12 wins, NK faces a stiff challenge in their next 2 games in Coventry and Classical.
Last Week: #3
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La Salle
Division Record: 7-0 (Division 1 North)
Overall Record: 11-0
The last undefeated team in the state, La Salle is #1 again this week without a shadow of doubt. The Rams have beaten Coventry and North Kingstown, and if they can beat Classical this Wednesday (no small task) then we might be talking about a team making a serious run at an undefeated regular season.
Last Week: #1
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