9/10 Boys House Basketball Rankings: Week 8

-By: Matt House Brown-

In the last week of the regular season there was less competition than usual. Blowouts greatly outnumbered competitive finishes, and the Heat, Knicks, and Bucks all displayed why they have been atop the rankings every week. Going into the playoffs, this is how the league is looking the first week of February.

1. Heat (W, 50-31)- The Heat were unchallenged by the Celtics this week. Yes, the same Celtics that stunned the Knicks last week. This win shows that the Heat are playing at an extremely high level and gives me no reason to lower their rank. The Heat team including sophomore Drew Dirvin (pictured) has averaged a league high 50 points per game, and have not lost since November. In fact, since November, their least margin of victory was 14. This streak of dominance and talent across the board makes the Heat a scary matchup for all comers. Overconfidence and an early season loss to the Bucks are the only chinks in this team’s armor. (6-1)

1. Bucks (W, 51-24)- The Bucks beat up on the Nets this week as Brunswick sophomore Jack Sherwood dropped 22. The Bucks are a well-rounded group with the talent and team defense to win the championship. The most attractive item on the Bucks resume is that they have defeated both the Knicks and the Heat. The Buck’s are less like number 2 and more like 1.1. (6-1)

3. Knicks (W,50-27)- This squad appears to have bounced back from the devastating loss to the Celtics with this big win over the Hornets. Sophomores Craig Lamantia, Patrick Reilly and freshmen Carter Watt are enough to build a solid playoff run. And if sophomore Jack Travers is able to make it back to full health the Knicks, despite two bad losses, are as poised as everyone for a shot at the free T-shirts. (5-2)

4. Raptors (W, 41-24)- The Raptors bulk and great defense make them a contender this season. Despite three losses, this team has be relatively consistent throughout the season and whupped up on the Bulls to close it out. The lack of offense is a little bit concerning but the solid nine point win over the Bucks shows that they can beat, or at least compete, with everyone. (4-3)

5. Celtics (L, 31-50)- The Celtics simply didn’t show up against the Knicks this week. However, the win over the Knicks shows that they can win games if you let them stay in it.

6. Wizards (W, 38-33)- I would have liked to have seen the Wizards have a more dominating performance this week but it looks like the Bobcats came to play. With the Brunswick twins, the Skolds, and sophomore Brian Weil, all in attendance they are a formidable opponent and offer solid competition to all-comers. (4-3)

7. Bobcats (L, 33-38)- The Bobcats fell short this week against the Wizards but still remain above the Hornets because they beat them by 20 points. I can’t see this squad beating anyone at the top of the rankings though. (2-6)

8. Hornets (L, 27-50)- This loss to the Knicks that they are not in the leagues top tier but victories over the Wizards and the Celtics show that they can beat the beatable. (3-4)

9. Nets (L, 24-51)- In my opinion the Nets have not achieved their full potential this season. It could be that they aren’t very good or it could be they haven’t come together as a unit. Either way the Nets need to find themselves to do something in the playoffs. (2-5)

10. Bulls (L, 24-41)- In typical Bulls fashion they decide to pack it in and focus on the playoffs. This whole season they have just been lulling the league to sleep so that they can strike when it really counts. (0-7)