#1 Blue Valley Northwest (17-0): The Huskies have played the most difficult schedule in the state and remain unbeaten. They're the unquestioned best team in the state and the favorite to win 6A. Northwest is not only beating quality teams, like Miege and BV North, but it is destroying them. Most impressive team in the state.
#2 Shawnee Mission East (15-1): My decision to keep the Lancers a spot ahead of SM South is based on more high-quality wins. I think East has the more impressive body of work, even with the loss, and it added two more quality wins against 6A teams in SM Northwest and Olathe East. These three road trips in five days will be a test.
#3 Wichita North (16-2): Conner Frankamp returned from injury and just in time because the Redskins entered their most difficult week of the season and emerged from it with a perfect 3-0 record. Frankamp averaged over 40 points in those games and he's looking like he's going to become the City League's all-time leading scorer on Friday.
#4 Lawrence (11-6): I know the 6 losses jump out to you, but you have to look at the schedule Lawrence has played this season. It's insane and probably the second-toughest behind BV Northwest in the state. The Lions have 6 high-quality wins and have played SM East and SM South to the very last second and lost by 2 and 1, respectively. Those losses don't hurt; they validate Lawrence as an elite team.
#5 Olathe South (12-5): No movement here for the Falcons, but the last two wins (at Free State and SM West at home) were impressive. They were on a little bit of a skid there, so this was what they needed to stabilize themselves. Two more quality tests are ahead and it's going to be a challenge to finish this season with just 5 losses.
#6 Derby (15-3): Another team victimized by its weak schedule, but the Panthers are aware of that. They faced some injuries earlier in the season when they lost their three games, but now they've bounced back and are rolling to a league title it appears. Derby picked up two good wins the last two, but now those kinds of wins are gone from the schedule. The Panthers should finish 17-3.
#7 Blue Valley West (9-7): Here's where the strength of the schedule plays in. The Jaguars have seven losses, but they're playing well right now and it's against a ridiculously tough schedule. BV West added two more quality wins in BV Southwest and Aquinas, but now have to face the best team in the state and get to rebound against two more solid teams in Free State and Bishop Miege.
#8 Shawnee Mission Northwest (10-7): The Cougars have gone through an up-and-down season, losing one, winning two, losing two, winning one. But they seem to be playing their best as the end of the season approaches and that's good news. They have two tough road games this week, but if they can win that Olathe South game then they can make a big statement.
#9 Olathe East (10-7): The Hawks are reeling right now and that's not a very good sign in February. They've lost 3 of 4 in this month, including their last two against Olathe Northwest and SM East. Now those aren't bad losses, but it's troubling the margin. It doesn't get any easier here either, as a road trip to Lawrence on Friday is looming.
#10 Blue Valley North (8-9): Yes, the Mustangs have a losing record. No, I do not care. Just kidding, I swear I kept that in consideration but BV North has played one of the toughest schedules in the state and I think any team not ranked would struggle to finish with 8 wins in that schedule. I'm not looking to rank the 25 teams with the best records. I'm looking to rank the 25 best teams in Kansas, period. I say BV North should be included.
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