#1 Topeka Highland Park (11-0): This pick might surprise some of the Semi supporters, but you just can't argue with what the Scots have accomplished on the court. There's no other team beside BV Northwest that has the resume of HiPark, as it ripped off three more quality victories this week with wins over Wichita Southeast, KC Washington and Lawrence on its way to a tournament title. I don't see the undefeated season coming to an end this week, as Highland Park welcomes Junction City at home on Friday.
#2 McPherson (11-1): The Bullpups showed that they can not just play with the big boys, but beat them. McPherson knocked off three Class 6A teams on its way to its home tournament title, including a huge win over previously-unbeaten SM East in the championship game. No other team has taken SM East out of its comfort zone and McPherson proved its one of the best teams in the state, regardless of class.
#3 Ottawa (13-0): It's hard to fault Ottawa, but it's more of a credit to the schedules that Highland Park and McPherson have played. The Cyclones keep on winning, ripping off a furious comeback to knock off Class 6A Blue Valley in the semifinals then beating a very good Basehor team in the finals. There's no doubt Semi is going to carry this team far and he's by far the best player in Class 4A, but Ottawa just doesn't have the resume that the other two teams do at this point in the season.
#4 Kansas City Piper (10-2): The Pirates took care of business by beating over-matched Louisburg and KC Sumner on their way to the championship game at the Spring Hill tournament, but they fell short of the title losing to Eisenhower by 3 points. I don't think that would have bumped them up any, but they would have certainly cemented their spot as top challenger to the top 3 on this list.
#5 Andale (11-1): Don't look now, but Andale has won 11 games in a row. The Indians didn't have much of a challenge in the Halstead tournament this past week and just rolled in their three victories. Expect Andale to make it 12 in a row this week against Buhler, but then it's onto a showdown with McPherson in the Roundhouse. That's going to be one of the biggest games of the season, regardless of class.
#6 Hesston (10-2): The Swathers rebounded from losing a tough game in the semifinals of their tournament to Holcomb by bouncing back with a quality win over Wamego to take 3rd place. That becomes their best win of the season and Hesston all of a sudden has a case to be a top 5 in the class.
#7 Coffeyville (10-3): The Golden Hurricanes went out of the state for their tournament and came away with an impressive showing, winning their first two games comfortably before losing by 31 in the title game against a very good Mill Valley team. I would have liked to seen Coffeyville keep the final score a bit closer, but this team still has a solid resume with plenty of quality wins.
#8 Labette County (10-2): Tournament week turned out to be very good for Labette County, which swept its three games on its way to a tournament championship. The Grizzlies ran away with the title game against a sneaky good Iola team and impressed many during the week. They're on a roll right now and have one of the best records in the class with only 2 losses.
#9 Wamego (8-3): The Red Raiders had a chance to pick up a pair of quality victories in their tournament, but came up short. That spoiled what had been a tremendous start to the season. But that's what happens when you lose back-to-back, as Wamego did against Republic County (by 7) and Hesston (by 7). Wamego can rebound with a good win against Sabetha this Friday on the road.
#10 El Dorado (9-2): A week after getting blown out by McPherson, the Wildcats bounce back with a great showing at their home tournament. El Dorado did lose to a .500 Gardner-Edgerton team, but made up for it by beating Collegiate in overtime to take 3rd place. That's a great win for the Wildcats and automatically becomes their best win of the season. They should get their 10th win this week at Augusta.
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