The Holiday Tournaments are over and it is time to begin the second half of the season. The difference between the preseason rankings and the new rankings is very noticeable.
Two of the teams that weren’t in my preseason top ten has moved up the list in a big way.
Several teams that ABV believed would be very good turned out to not be. In any case games have been watched and notes have been taken.
This is the first updated ranking’s for the New Year. These rankings will be updated each week through the end of the regular season.

Salem Supersectional Area "Top Ten" Class 1A Rankings

1. MOUNDS MERIDIAN (15-1) Eldorado Holiday Tournament champs are much better than advertised. They play very disciplined basketball. ABV believes this is the best Meridian team, ever!!! "Hoopy Who?" 2. WALTONVILLE (11-1) The Spartans rolled to the Sesser-Valier Holiday Tournament title. Coach Denault believes there is still much room for improvement. ABV agrees. 3. SESSER-VALIER (10-1) Coach Basso will have these Red Devils ready for a February regional with Waltonville. They haven't really reached their collective peak. Justin Mayti averages a double-double. 4. STEWARDSON-STRASBURG (9-2) Cold shooting night doomed the Comets against Flora. Widdersheim and Rincker are as good a guard tandem in the 1A state. The “bigs” need to step up. 5. OKAWVILLE (7-6) Don’t look at the record – look at whom they have battled. Coach Kraus also has some young kids playing well. Once the consistency is there then the Rockets will be tough. 6. WOODLAWN (6-5) Once this group gets everyone healthy, in shape and on the same page – the Cardinals will be a post-season factor. The regional spot is “cupcake.” 7. CRAB ORCHARD (14-0) Although the Trojans’ schedule works against them – they deserve some love here. Coach Jon Brown has good mix of seniors and underclassmen. 8. TRICO (7-4) The Pioneers took it on the chin at the Carbondale Holiday Tournament. But Coach Hawkins believes tough games will make them better late. 9. ALTAMONT (7-3) The Indians turned out to be a bit better than expected. Coach Hill continues to get the most out of what he has in Orange and Black. They have a win over Stew-Stras. 10. CUMBERLAND (9-5) These Pirates have been in with some very good Class 2A teams. Coach Justin Roedl's club is in the same regional as Stewardson-Strasburg @ Hutsonville-Palestine. HONORABLE MENTION - ALPHABETICALLY Brownstown (9-3), Carrier Mills (10-3), Dieterich (5-5), Edwards County (9-3), Goreville (9-3), Hutsonville-Palestine (12-5), Neoga (7-5), NCOE (9-5), New Athens (6-6), North Clay (6-1), Odin (9-2), Patoka (9-4), Steeleville (7-7), Wayne City (7-4) and Zeigler-Royalton (10-7).

West Frankfort Supersectional Area "Top Ten" Class 2A Rankings

1. BREESE CENTRAL (12-1) The Cougars refocused after a loss to Effingham to rattle off nine straight wins – including their fourth MDHT title this decade. Coach Eagleson joined the 500-win club. 2. MURPHYSBORO (14-0) The unbeaten Red Devils have won two tournaments and lead the SIRR Ohio Division. Murphysboro hasn’t played in a Supersectional in 30 years. This could be the year. 3. PINCKNEYVILLE (9-3) Coach Waggoner is winning games with no superstars. Just a group of hard nosed kids making a difference. The Panthers will once again be a post-season threat. 4. NASHVILLE (11-3) The Hornets have been second best in both of their tournaments. They could get a second shot at Central in the NIT. Coach Weathers recently picked up his 400th win. 5. METRO-EAST LUTHERAN (12-3) The Knights ran into a tough field at Mater Dei and finished fourth. The rest of the schedule will be equally difficult. They are starring at a good regional spot. 6. HARRISBURG (10-4) The Bulldogs were seconds away from the Eldorado Holiday Tournament title.Coach Randy Smithpeters needs to regroup this group for the SIRR Ohio Division run. 7. HERRIN (9-5) After a great start to the season – Herrin has struggled. Coach Irv Lukens has time to get things back to normal. Picked up a big win @ Du Quoin on Saturday. 8. COLUMBIA (10-4) The Eagles have reloaded after losing a lot to graduation a year ago. They have held their own in two good tournaments. Tanner Hall and Taylor O’Connor have topped the scoring parade. 9. DU QUOIN (10-3) These Indians need to wake up with a strong start to the second half of the season. All three losses were winnable games. They should be in basketball shape by now. 10. PANA (10-2) The Panthers will be a factor in the northern portion of the Class 2A West Frankfort Supersectional area. Coach Bowker’s club is coming off of a third place finish at the VHT. HONORABLE MENTION - ALPHABETICALLY Anna-Jonesboro (7-7), Carmi-White County (6-4), East Alton-Wood River (8-3), Fairfield (5-6), Greenville (8-7), Gibault Catholic (5-8), Hamilton County (7-7), Massac County (9-7), Pana (10-2), Red Bud (5-7), Roxana (8-5), Sparta (10-4), Staunton (7-4), Vandalia (8-7) and Wesclin (7-7)