I thought updating this week's NEPSAC Girls Top 10 would be a lot easier.
When top-ranked Tabor and second-ranked Nobles faced off Friday, penciling in the victory as the new No. 1 seemed easy. And most of the other Top 10 members have been unfazed by games against outside opponents this season. But this week, the challengers had other plans.
More than half of last week's ranked schools lost in the most chaotic week of the winter season to date. It left me with several tough decisions and was an important reminder of the depth of talented teams in this region.
After much thought, here are our latest rankings.
1. Tabor (12-1)
Previous ranking: 1
Next game: at Middlesex, Jan. 24, 6:00 p.m.
Tabor's statement home win against Nobles is overshadowed here by its first loss of the season, also at home, to New Hampton. Sure, it was on the second half of a back-to-back against a very good Huskies team, but it showed Tabor is not untouchable in Class AAA. I leave the Seawolves atop the rankings for now because they did just beat Nobles, the best resume-builder for any team so far. But their hold on the spot is not as secure as I expected.
2. Nobles (12-1)
Previous ranking: 2
Next game: vs. Middlesex, Jan. 22, 5:00 p.m.
Nobles went 1-1 last week with the aforementioned loss to Tabor and a more convincing, 67-42 victory over Brooks. They have less than two weeks to turn around and even the score against the Seawolves at home on Jan. 29. Before that, Nobles must get through three games in four days against Middlesex, Lawrence Academy and St. Andrew's. I'm quietly intrigued by that last matchup against a St. Andrew's lineup with lots of size.
3. Tilton (10-2)
Previous ranking: 3
Next game: at New Hampton, Jan. 22, 4:30 p.m.
This afternoon's matchup with New Hampton just became even more important. The Rams are rolling on a six-game win streak, all by double digits. But New Hampton, as I'll get to, just scored the milestone win of the season. After that, Tilton receives another good test at home Friday against Hoosac.
4. New Hampton (9-3)
Previous ranking: 5
Next game: vs. Tilton, Jan. 22, 4:30 p.m.
This was truly a roller-coaster week from the Huskies. First they took care of business against Holderness in the second contest of their four-game road trip. Then they stumbled, losing 63-57 against St. Andrew's on Friday, but bounced back in massive fashion to take down Tabor, 62-58, the next day. New Hampton has some of the most extreme peaks and valleys among NEPSAC teams; I watched them give away games early in the season, but they've more recently pulled off some remarkable comebacks and statement wins. We'll see if the young roster has turned a corner this week.
5. Northfield Mount Hermon (9-3)
Previous ranking: 4
Next game: at Marianapolis, Jan. 22, 5:00 p.m.
NMH had a hiccup against Dexter Southfield, with their 51-41 defeat marking their lowest scoring output of the season. But things got back on track Saturday with a 70-58 win over St. Andrew's. NMH has only one game this week, giving the team time to prepare for a back-to-back against Deerfield and Loomis Chaffee.
6. Hoosac (8-6)
Previous ranking: 6
Next game: at Tilton, Jan. 24, 5:30 p.m.
Hoosac only played once last week, nabbing a 65-55 road win at St. Andrew's last Wednesday. But a difficult pair of back-to-back road games await against Tilton and New Hampton. This will truly test the mettle of another Class AAA contender.
7. Loomis Chaffee (8-2)
Previous ranking: 7
Next game: vs. Choate, Jan. 22, 4:45 p.m.
The Pelicans aced one of the tougher portions of their schedule last week. They fought off Worcester Academy at home, 51-48, before taking down Wibraham and Monson on the road and cruising past Rothesay Netherwood in the Rose Classic Super Jam. Loomis is playing a lot right now as it catches up on games. Three more await this week, though the Pelicans are heavy favorites in all of them.
8. Worcester Academy (6-8)
Previous ranking: 10
Next game: at St. Andrew's, Jan. 22, 5:30 p.m.
It was another classic Worcester Academy week: a competitive loss to a great Loomis Chaffee team, followed by an 89-48 rout of Storm King that showed the Hilltoppers' ability to light up the scoreboard. This week will test my faith in Worcester Academy as they travel to Class AAA St. Andrew's today and then head west to Darrow on Saturday. Both are strong programs just outside these rankings — which means I expect the Hilltoppers to beat both.
9. Wilbraham and Monson (10-7)
Previous ranking: 8
Next game: vs. St. Luke's, Jan. 22, 4:30 p.m.
I don't want to excuse the Titans for dropping Wednesday's game against Austin Prep. That's a good matchup that they still should have won, but their flat first half doomed them. That being said, they rebounded by playing Loomis Chaffee close in a loss and knocking Newman out of these rankings with a win.
10. Dexter Southfield (6-10)
Previous ranking: NR
Next game: at Austin Prep, Jan. 22, 4:00 p.m.
Dexter Southfield gets back on the board, even with a poor record, because of its statement 51-41 victory against Northfield Mount Hermon. That's the first real signature win for Dexter against a top-five program this season. Six of their 10 losses have come against ranked teams and three more came while playing at the Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona. But Dexter also has quality wins against Worcester Academy, St. Luke's and now NMH. The talent is apparent, but Dexter needs to find consistency.
On the radar: Berkshire, Newman, Rivers, St. Luke's, St. Andrew's
Newman falls out after losing to Wilbraham and Monson. Even though the Cardinals are a talented squad, they have yet to beat a current top-10 team, which hurts their case slightly. Saturday's home game against Berkshire is an important litmus test for both Newman and the unbeaten Bears.
St. Luke's scored a much-needed win against Rivers to get back in the hunt. St. Andrew's is also catching my eye after beating New Hampton. I thought the team had fallen behind in Class AAA, but they've clearly got the potential to take down their class rivals.
