HS: Spring state, region rankings, May 22

by Sheldon Shealer

May 22, 2017

Champions were crowned in three state last week, and the results led to very little movement among the regional rankings.

Arkansas, Nebraska and Wyoming finished postseason play, and only a victory by Rogers (Ark.) caused a ripple that changed the No. 1 boys team in the South Central region rankings.

This week is key as most of the remaining spring-playing states complete their seasons while some of the larger states will play down to the state semifinals.

Things to watch for the week:

* Tennessee boys state championships -- Montgomery Bell Academy (Tenn.) is No. 1 in the state and region rankings, ahead of [Germantown Houston tn-m] (Tenn.). Both teams could win state titles, and if so, they will stay in that order since MBA would have either defeated Christian Brothers (Tenn.), which tied Houston, or beat the team that defeated Christian Brothers. Considering three of the four state semifinalists in Division II-AA, with MBA, are ranked in the SIMA FAB 50 Top 15, this should be a highly competitive tournament.

* Archbishop Murphy (Wash.) boys are two wins away from a perfect season and a SIMA FAB 50 Top 10 finish.

* The Illinois girls tournament continues with the section semifinals and final this week, where several nationally ranked teams go head-to-head in a bid to make the Super Sectionals (state quarterfinals). Some of the guaranteed matchups include Geneva vs. St. Charles East, St. Charles North vs. Batavia, Collinsville vs. Edwardsville, Naperville North vs. West Aurora, Neuqua Valley vs. Metea Valley and Barrington vs. Lake Zurich.