One high school basketball team made its Big 5 rankings debut this week. Which one?
Indian Land is making its debut in The Herald’s Big 5 high school basketball rankings this week.
The fourth-ranked Warriors, led by head coach Nate Smith, weathered a slow start to their season and won two road games last week. Their trough came in early December, after three consecutive losses to teams that they should have beaten. But since Christmas, the Warriors have won eight of their last nine — including their first-ever win against Chester.
In girls basketball, the elite teams have been established: Clover has won its last 19 games. South Pointe — in an overtime revenge win over Ridge View — and Legion Collegiate were tested this week, but they both prevailed. Andrew Jackson and Rock Hill also went undefeated this week.
The Northwestern boys, who delivered a 10-point win over the Clover Blue Eagles on Friday at home, remained No. 1. No. 2 Great Falls has won 15 consecutive games, and No. 3 York Prep came out on top in the first iteration of a rivalry that may persist for a long time.
Records have been updated through Friday, Jan. 31. See the rankings below.
Boys’ basketball rankings
1. Northwestern Trojans (18-4, 5-0)
2. Great Falls Red Devils (20-3, 5-0)
3. York Preparatory Academy Patriots (17-4)
4. Indian Land Warriors (11-5, 4-1)
5. Andrew Jackson Volunteers (12-5, 8-1)
Girls
1. Clover Blue Eagles (21-1, 5-0)
2. South Pointe Stallions (19-2, 4-2)
3. Legion Collegiate Academy Lancers (11-3)
4. Andrew Jackson Volunteers (16-1, 9-0)
5. Rock Hill Bearcats (17-6, 4-1)
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