The magical computer from down south has posted his first impressions … er, rankings … of the state’s boys and girls basketball teams. The rankings are based on a simple formula of Points Against/Points For multiplied by Strength of Schedule.
BOYS
Like most early polls in the state, Jackson sits at No. 1 despite playing just one game. Kentridge (5-0) sits at No. 2 and Garfield (3-0), which many people think is Jackson’s main challenger for a 4A title, is ranked at No. 3.
But on Twitter Scoreczar had something to say about that: “Jackson No. 1 in boys 4A is more of a coincidence than anything else,” @WA_Scoreczar tweeted. [“]Need to log a few more games before its meaningful.”
Arlington (5-1) is ranked No. 10, four spots below Union, which the Eagles recently defeated by eight points. The computer shows its smarts by ranking a winless Edmonds-Woodway team (the Warriors picked up their first win last night after the poll came out) at No. 13. E-W has lost games to No. 1 Jackson, and Class 3A No. 3 Mountlake Terrace and No. 8 Meadowdale.
Speaking of 3A …
Mountlake Terrace (4-1) is ranked third despite losing to No. 18 Franklin. Ah … but there was a glitch. The computer has Terrace beating Franklin, so the Hawks would no doubt tumble after that correction. That correction will likely help Stanwood, which stands a spot below Terrace at No. 4 after registering wins against two top-10 4A teams in Arlington and Union.
Four spots below Stanwood is the surprising Meadowdale Mavs, which had only one loss when the rankings came out. But after losing to Shorewood, ranked No. 24, on Tuesday, Meadowdale will likely fall in the next rankings. The Thunderbirds, meanwhile, could rocket up the rankings.
Despite a loss to Shorewood, Shorecrest is ranked No. 17. Marysville Pilchuck is ranked No. 34, no doubt because of their weak strength of schedule.
With the local Cascade Conference teams beating up on each other, it leaves no team head and shoulders above the others. Cedarcrest is our top-ranked local team at No. 23. Archbishop Murphy is next at No. 29 despite its 2-2 record (now 2-3) and Sultan is 35th. The Turks, though, are likely to move up after its big win over Cedarcrest last night.
King’s is 15th, but will likely move up after its win over Archbishop Murphy last night.
GIRLS
Lynnwood is ranked No. 1 but just barely (1.87 to 1.88) over Mount Rainier, which they just beat in double overtime. But that ranking doesn’t take into account the Royals win over South Medford because Scoreczar isn’t ranking Oregon teams.
Arlington is surprisingly sitting at No. 19 despite its unbeaten record. Eight teams with at least one loss are ranked ahead of the Eagles, who are missing that signature win according to the Scoreczar rankings.
Edmonds-Woodway is right behind Arlington at No. 20 and Jackson is No. 24.
Everett (4-0), which is crushing opponents so far, is ranked the highest of our local teams at No. 3. Shorewood, despite its loss to Shorecrest, is ranked right behind the Seagulls at No. 4. Shorecrest mysteriously is ranked No. 8.
Glacier Peak, which is ranked No. 2 in the latest Herald power rankings, is ranked No. 6 by the computer, giving Wesco four teams in the top 10. Mountlake Terrace is ranked No. 15 and Stanwood is No. 21.
Like the boys, the Cascade Conference girls aren’t getting much love from the computer. Cedarcrest is ranked No. 25 despite a 5-1 record and the next ranked team is Sultan at No. 35.
You have to move to 1A to find a Cascade Conference team getting some love. King’s, which is off to a 4-2 start, is ranked No. 7. The Knights only losses are to 4A No. 10 Ballard and 1A No. 6 Lynden Christian.
I have to say I thought Darrington would be ranked higher. But the weakness of their schedule is likely dragging the Loggers down to their No. 12 ranking. Time and wins will likely boost Darrington into the top 10.
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