Mid-Mo hoops rankings: First in February

Only a month separates us from the big school district tournaments (small school districts begin a week later), but there are still some questions to be settled in the regular season.

For instance:

-Can the Waynesville boys win an Ozark Conference title? After their upset of Glendale Monday they’re currently 3-1 and tied for second with Parkview and Glendale.

-Which girls team will get ahead in the Class 5 mid-Missouri district? District 10 might be the weakest Class 5 girls district in the state— if only because there aren’t any powerhouses in the district. Camdenton is currently the only team with a winning record, but Rolla has won five straight. Waynesville, Lebanon and Jefferson City will need a late-season surge.

-Which Frisco League boys team can take the title? Will Laquey win for the third-straight year or does Stoutland have what it takes to take it from them?

-Will the Laquey girls run the table? They were one game away last year, but lost to Newburg. This year both they and Richland are unbeaten in league play.

-How many Four Rivers Conference girls teams will make the final four? Four are ranked, but two (Pacific and St. Clair) share a district. Can they at least get three?

You’ll notice that none of these questions have actually been answered. That’s why they play the games.

Here’s your rankings for the week of Feb. 1, 2010:

Girls
1. Laquey (16-3): Their game against Class 3 No. 10 Fair Grove was snowed out, but that might have been for the best— that would have been their sixth game in less than two weeks. The Fair Grove game hasn’t been rescheduled yet, so until then they’ll focus on Richland. Next: vs. Richland, Feb. 11

2. Hermann (17-2): Lady Bearcat junior guard Shelby Winkelmann scored her 2,000th career point Friday night in the championship of the Hermann Tournament. She also hit the winning shot in the same game to help Hermann beat St. Clair 62-60.  Next: at New Haven, Monday

3. St. James (15-3): A two-point loss at state-ranked Borgia was followed by a close win over formerly-ranked Cuba. They only have five more games, plus the Newburg Tournament, before districts. Next: vs. Newburg, Thursday

4. St. Clair (17-3): Only three losses: Two to Hermann and one to St. James. Next: at DeSoto, Tuesday

5. Richland (14-5): Still undefeated in Frisco League play with two more non-league games before the big one with Laquey Feb. 11. Next: vs. Osage, Thursday, vs. Belle, Monday

Also considered: Camdenton (11-8), Crocker (11-6), Cuba (14-3), Eugene (14-4), Owensville (11-8), Rolla (10-9, five straight wins), Salem (11-7)

Boys

1. Stoutland (13-2): Looks like the Tigers are beatable after all— Laquey avenged the Frisco League championship loss. Now, how will they play in their third game (of potentially four) against Laquey this season? Next: at Laquey, Friday; vs. Morrisville Saturday (Conway Tourney)

2. Laquey (15-4): They can beat Stoutland once. But can they do it again? Next: vs. Stoutland, Friday; vs. Strafford Saturday (Conway Tourney)

3. Plato (13-7): A scrappy team has given its all against tough competition this year, but the loss to Laquey puts them behind in the Frisco League race with two losses. Next: at Hartville, Friday; vs. Stoutland, Tuesday

4. Waynesville (10-9): The Tigers comeback upset of Glendale just might have been the shot in the arm they needed to make a big run before districts. Next: vs. Joplin, Friday, vs. Camdenton, Tuesday

5. Climax Springs (10-4): Cougars still hanging around, but will play four games this week. Will the schedule kill them? Next: vs. Lakeland, Thursday; vs. Hermitage, Friday; vs. Weaubleau, Saturday (Osceola Tourney)

Also considered: Eugene (13-4), Hermann (14-4), Richland (10-6, six straight wins), Steelville (10-5), St. Elizabeth (12-6)