From the Sidelines

We’ve released the newest set of basketball rankings (full poll below) and there’s been quite a bit of movement. Here’s my thoughts on the poll.

Class 4A boys:

Here are the full rankings: Federal Way wins to stay perfect but Jackson jumps up past Gonzaga Prep with two wins this week. Walla Walla and Decatur both lost games this week to slide down the poll. There was massive movement at the bottom of the poll as four of five bottom teams lost last week. Kentwood, minus Josh Smith and sporting a 2-3 record, completely fell out of the poll, as did Lincoln, Garfield and Ferris. In their place jumps Foss (5-1), Mead (5-1) and Davis (6-0). Kentridge again received votes but couldn’t crack the Top-10, while Lake Washington (3-1) and Richland (6-0) are new faces in the “others” category.

Class 4A girls: Not a ton of movement here. The top-6 teams all win, although the voters did swap Issaquah and Kentwood. Mead tumbles out after dropping to 3-3, and Kentlake (7-0) jumps back in at No. 7. Jackson falls to the other category while Bellarmine Prep jumps back to No. 9.

Class 3A boys: Franklin was stunned this week, and as a result, they slip down to No. 5, while Enumclaw jumps up to No. 2. Seattle Prep leadfrogs undefeated Bellevue. The remaining teams are simply shuffled around a bit from last week. Lots of teams received votes and a few more teams look to be on the cusp after nice starts (Sammamish 5-2, Capital 5-1, among others)

Class 3A girls: Holy Names takes the top spot over Kennedy Catholic after a 7-1 start. Prarie drops from 5 to 7 while Lakes leaps into the fifth spot after being unranked. Bellevue (3-4) falls to the other category. Mount Rainier (6-0) looks to be on the cusp as well. Other noticable teams not garnering votes include Yelm (6-1), Tyee (5-2) and Shorecrest (4-2).

The Reporter Newspapers Basketball Poll is voted on by members of various Reporter Newspapers across the state.

Class 4A boys
1. Federal Way (7-0)
2. Jackson (6-0)
3. Gonzaga Prep (5-0)
4. Curtis (7-0)
5. Decatur (6-1)
6. Walla Walla (4-1)
7. Lake Stevens (6-0)
8. Foss (5-1)
9. Mead (5-1)
10. Davis (6-0)
Others receiving votes: Lake Washington (6-1), Kentridge (3-1), Richland (6-0)

Class 4A girls
1. Auburn Riverside (7-0)
2. Lewis and Clark (5-1)
3. Newport (7-0)
4. Issaquah (6-0)
5. Kentwood (6-1)
6. Woodinville (5-0)
7. Kentlake (7-0)
8. Edmonds-Woodway (5-1)
9. Bellarmine Prep (4-1)
10. Federal Way (5-2)
Others receiving votes: Jackson (5-1), South Kitsap (7-0), Monroe (6-1)

Class 3A boys
1. Rainier Beach (4-0)
2. Enumclaw (4-0)
3. Seattle Prep (6-1)
4. Bellevue (7-0)
5. Franklin (3-1)
6. Shorecrest (5-1)
7. O’Dea (5-2)
8. Lakes (5-1)
9. Mount Si (4-1)
10. Chief Sealth (2-1)
Others receiving votes: Shadle Park (5-1), Union (4-2), Mercer Island (3-2), Bainbridge (5-1), Lakeside (2-4), Evergreen (4-1)

Class 3A girls
1. Holy Names (7-1)
2. Kennedy Catholic (4-1)
3. White River (5-1)
4. Bonney Lake (6-1)
5. Lakes (6-1)
6. Mercer Island (4-1)
7. Prarie (6-2)
8. Lakeside (5-2)
9. Cleveland (4-2)
10. Shadle Park (4-2)
Others receiving votes: Chiawana (4-0), Bellevue (3-4), Mount Rainier (6-0), Ferndale (2-1), Meadowdale (4-2), Cleveland (4-2)