People get into journalism for a lot of different reasons. Some people want to make a difference in society, others just like watching sports, some (perhaps erroneously) heard that ladies dig journalists and, for some, it’s a combination of all of the above.
With that said I’m not going to say that my blog post last week that suggested the Associated Press hates Wesco teams is the reason so many sprung up this week, but I’m also not going to not say it.
Before I get too full of myself let’s get to this week’s glorious AP Poll. Starting with the girls this week.
GIRLS
4A
Gonzaga Prep is still undefeated, but fell from first to third place (that shows you what kind of system we’re dealing with here – and how much sense that system makes.)
More importantly both the Lynnwood and Arlington girls teams both moved up a spot in the poll, to Nos. 4 and 5 respectively. (Skyline dropped from fourth to eighth.)
On Monday we put Arlington ahead of Lynnwood in the Herald Power Poll making the Eagles No. 1 and the Royals No. 2. That will surely change after Lynnwood’s 47-39 win over Arlington on Wednesday. It could even push the Royals up in a spot or two in the next AP poll.
3A
Regular readers of this series (so, the people who have read all one and a half to this point) may remember that last week I criticized the AP poll for being spot on – and incredibly off – in the 3A girls poll. This week it was just weird.
The Stanwood girls continued to take care of business, winning big games against the Wesco South’s Shorecrest, Glacier Peak and Mountlake Terrace (perhaps the North is rising? Maybe? Possibly?). But, the Spartans fell from fourth to seventh in the AP poll. I guess it’s possible that Bellevue, Holy Names and Seattle Prep just had amazing weeks, but I still don’t see how all three teams overtook the 9-2 Spartans.
At least the enigmatic 3A girls AP poll got something right, with Shorewood and Glacier Peak both receiving at least some votes (one) for the poll.
2A
Wapato High School – the alma mater of Herald Writer Aaron Lommers – overtook Archbishop Murphy for the No. 4 spot in the AP poll, bumping the Wildcats down to five. I haven’t asked Lommers about his alma maters’ teams this season, but I’m sure he’d say they were good, and then discuss the state playoff game he was in for the 1,000th time even though nobody’s still asked.
Cedarcrest is moving on up from 10th to eighth. Way to be Red Wolves!
1A/2B/1B
The King’s team went undefeated this past week but couldn’t manage to hang on to the two votes for the poll it got last week, and the Knights dropped out of the AP poll completely. It’s not too late King’s! You can get those two votes back. Man, if only I got to vote in this thing!
Darrington made its way out of a five-team tie for 10th place in 2B into sole possession of No. 8 in this week’s poll. La Conner – which was also tied at No. 10 – fell out of the top ten but retained four votes.
Tulalip Heritage received six votes in the 1B poll, which only ranks the top five teams. In a top-10 scenario, the Hawks would be tied for No. 9 with Republic and Moses Lake Christian Academy.
BOYS
4A
Federal Way was the big tumbler in the AP poll, falling from No. 2 to No. 6, bumping up all four teams previously below it, including Jackson, one spot. The Timberwolves go from No. 5 to No. 4 and, while remaining undefeated, continue to build their reputation as the postseason approaches.
Last week Arlington had three votes, while in the last seven days the Eagles appear to have lost a vote. That’s fine. Everybody can keep underestimating the Wesco North. Just wait and see what happens.
(I’m not going to say it! I know you want and expect me to, but I’m not going to. I want it to be a surprise!)
3A
The 3A poll is still a muddied mess. Mountlake Terrace (No. 8) dropped two spots for no discernible reason. After a big win against Stanwood, the Hawks should have moved up if anything. The Spartans, who in the past week defeated Glacier Peak and narrowly lost to Terrace, received seven votes, which is seven more than they had last week.
The Grizzlies team that it beat remained at No. 10. Shorewood – another team in the very strong Wesco 3A South league – received one vote in the AP poll.
2A
The local 2A teams are kind of beating up on each other this year, which has led to none receiving any votes in the AP poll. Cedarcrest (8-1 in league, 8-7 overall) remains the Cascade Conference team with the best chance to receive a ranking at some point.
Lommers, meanwhile, must be on cloud nine as his Wapato team is ranked No. 9, meaning both the boys and girls teams from his old high school are ranked. I haven’t been able to get ahold of him to verify, but I would imagine this is the best week of his life.
1A/2B/1B
King’s remains tied for ninth in the 1A classification, albeit with Chelan who dropped three spots from No. 6 this week. No other local 1A teams received any votes in the poll.
La Conner continues to work its way up the 2B poll, moving from No. 6 to No. 4 in the most recent edition. The Braves, at 14-1, continue to take care of business, but may have a challenge with tonight’s opponent: Cedar Park Christian – Mountlake Terrace.
I’ve written extensively about the Lions this week, on both their undefeated season and the thought of them taking on a team from a higher classification, like La Conner. Cedar Park Christian – Mountlake Terrace still hasn’t cracked into the 1B poll, but would likely burst onto the scene with a win over the Braves. As mentioned above, the 1B poll only ranks a top five, and Cedar Park Christian – with nine votes – is the first team out of the poll, unofficially making it the No. 6 team in the state.
I am VERY excited to cover the game between CPC – MLT and La Conner tonight!
Boom! Dissected. We’re still waiting for that perfect Associated Press poll to come our way. Perhaps next week will be the magical week.
But probably not.
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