HSSTM poll and local rankings

With HSSTM's revamped Web site, we're hoping to achieve a new level of connectivity with the magazine's readers. The online poll question is one of our new tools in this campaign. I will change the question each time 100 total votes is approached.

That number has been reached with the most recent question, which regarded the best local high school sports story of the year 2007. The citizens of Garden Plain continue to form a loyal readership. Garden Plain running back Logan Dold's run through the record book took the highest percentage of the votes with 31.2 percent. Dold became the second-leading all-time career rusher this fall, totaling 7,144 yards in four seasons. Nearly tied for second with about 20 percent of the vote each were these stories: Hutch's march to its fourth straight football title this past fall and Clearwater thrower Luke Bryant's state-meet record-breaking discus throw this past spring at the state track meet.

Feel free to comment on the poll questions in the forum or here in the blog or offer ideas for poll questions.

There is one more week of regularly-scheduled play in boys basketball this Tuesday and Friday before we enter the mid-season tournaments. I've put together a list of top teams in each class. I'm anxious to see how they fare at their respective tournaments, which I'll list beside them.

Boys

6A
East
Southeast
Heights
South
Northwest
-By end of season, East will be the best 6A team coming out of the area. Garrius Holloman dominates the boards, Marcus Adams and Leon Flowers are 6-4 guys who are versatile in the half-court and open court, and Eric Hardyway is so difficult when going to the hoop. This team needs a three-point shooter, though. The lack of a consistent outside shooter could keep them below the surface.

5A
Bishop Carroll
Kapaun
Hutchinson
-I can't figure how to separate these three teams. I'm going to put Hutchinson at the bottom, just because their wins in a down AV-CTL I have not been overwhelming. The won close games over Maize and Salina Central. My understanding is Caleb Walker is very nice player, able to play above the rim, though his outside game is still developing. Though Bishop Carroll lost to Kapaun before the break, I have a feeling they're going to put it together. They have a very solid frontcourt between Joe Brown, Blake Bell and Jon Peck, but they're lacking a standout guard. When Luke Barnwell returns to the lineup, they'll be very tough.

4A
Andover
Cheney
Hesston
Clearwater
Mulvane
Wellington
Andover Central
-Cheney is charging out of the Central Plains League, and with a convincing win over Clearwater, they look like they'll be just fine in Class 4A after moving up. Hesston is another 4A team which has moved up. In 3A they would have been a state title contender. In 4A, they might make the state tournament, as I think 4A is down a bit this year. Locally, the jump from 3A to 4A isn't that huge this season. I still have Andover as the top 4A team in the area, however, despite the challenges from the smaller schools, Cheney and Hesston.

3A
Wichita Collegiate
Belle Plaine
Trinity Academy
Trinity lossed to Belle Plaine early, likely due to Belle Plaine's enormous size. Trinity is small, but a hot shooting night can keep them in the ballgame with anyone. Wichita Collegiate is tops by far, however, as they look to be headed for their second straight 3A title.

Girls

6A
Wichita Heights
Derby
Wichita South
Goddard
-Derby at Goddard tonight is a great matchup. Derby cleaned up against Maize last week, and they should probably beat Goddard, as well. Don't count out South, as they've suffered close losses to both Heights and Bishop Carroll.

5A
Bishop Carroll
Hutchinson
-Game of the Week is this Friday, as Bishop Carroll plays at Wichita Heights. They are both undefeated thus far, and each narrowly defeated Wichita South.

4A
Andover Central
Clearwater
Cheney
-Andover Central is by far the best 4A team in the area.