HS: Spring state, region rankings, May 29

by Sheldon Shealer

May 29, 2017

An early playoff exit by a Virginia girls power opens the door or a new national No. 1 this week, while a first-time boys champ in Tennessee could provide a glimpse of a power yet to emerge.

Postseason play last week included state titles being doled out in Alaska, Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina, Tennessee, Utah and Washington. This week, the Iowa boys, Delaware girls, Illinois girls, Missouri girls and North Dakota girls seasons will draw to a close.

The surprise of the week came with an early postseason exit by three-time Virginia state champion Battlefield, which entered the week at No. 1 in the SIMA FAB 50. Battlefield's loss opens the door for a new No. 1 when the rankings are released Tuesday.

In boys action, Station Camp (Tenn.) completed an undefeated season with a 1-0 state final win over perennial state power [Germantown Houston tn-m] (Tenn.). Station Camp is almost completely comprised of underclass starters, and with a guaranteed SIMA FAB 50 Top 5 finish upcoming, this team will make a pretty compelling argument to start the 2018 season as the nation's top-ranked spring team.

Things to watch for the week:

* The girls SIMA FAB 50 No. 1 ranking will be settled this week, although two weeks of spring play remains. Notre Dame de Sion (Mo.), Barrington (Ill.) and St. Charles North (Ill.) likely will check in at Nos. 1, 2 and 3 -- and all three teams will finish their seasons this week. If these teams all falter, Tulsa Union (Okla.) could return to the No. 1 ranking, which is where it started the season.

* Iowa boys finish play this week, but given the state's top teams' poor showing against neighboring Nebraska teams, the Iowa state tournament figures to have little bearing on the regional or national rankings.

* The Illinois girls tournament for large school programs is always stocked. Four of the eight Class AAA state quarterfinalist are ranked in among the national Top 10. Six of eight are in the regional rankings. Barrington, St. Charles North, Naperville North and New Trier are considered the frontrunners, but last year's state runner-up Collinsville, which spent a week at No. 1 in the SIMA FAB 50, is hitting stride, as well and could be a factor.

CLICK BELOW FOR THE COMPLETE SPRING HIGH SCHOOL RANKINGS

SPRING REGION RANKINGS: BOYS (May 29) | GIRLS (May 29)

SPRING STATE RANKINGS: BOYS (May 29) | GIRLS (May 29)

Related Topics: SIMA FAB 50 / Event