There’s no debate: Cedar Crest is clearly the top team in the Lancaster-Lebanon League. The Falcons went 3-0 last week to extend their winning streak to eight straight games. Cedar Crest survived an upset bid by completing a major comeback to beat Manheim Township in double overtime before dispatching of McCaskey. That set up a showdown with Wilson in a matchup of Class AAAAAA District 3 title contenders. The Falcons defeated the Bulldogs, 70-61, and made a statement that they are a team to be feared in 6A.
2. Octorara (13-2 Overall, Last Week: No. 2)
3. Lancaster Mennonite (10-3 Overall, Last Week: No. 4)
Lancaster Mennonite played just once last week but the Blazers took care of business as they rallied in the fourth quarter to win by one over Class AAAAAA opponent Owen J. Roberts. Mennonite has won five in a row and is still unbeaten in L-L League play. All three losses this season have come against schools much bigger than the Blazers: Chester (6A), Methacton (6A), and Unionville (5A). Mennonite has a firm hold on the No. 1 spot in the Class AA District 3 power ratings.
4. Manheim Central (12-1 Overall, Last Week: No. 7)
It was a good week for the Barons as they posted three wins: a league victory at Solanco before a pair of non-league triumphs over Spring Grove
and Fleetwood. Manheim Central is the No. 1 team in the Class AAAAA District 3 power ratings. There’s no superstar on this team but every player who sees significant minutes has the potential to lead the squad in scoring on any given night. Perhaps the most impressive thing about the Barons is their defense. Central is allowing just 44.0 points per contest. The next game on the schedule is a big one. Manheim Central hosts Warwick Wednesday (Jan. 17) in a showdown between two of the top teams in Section 2 of the L-L League.
5. Warwick (8-5 Overall, Last Week: No. 10)
Warwick makes a huge jump up the rankings after a pair of league wins last week. The Warriors posted a 23-point victory over Garden Spot before going on the road and
beating Ephrata by 17 in a highly-anticipated matchup. Warwick has won four in a row and six of its last seven. The Warriors are alone in first place in Section 2 of the L-L League with a 5-0 league mark. Next up is another hyped matchup when the Warriors visit Manheim Central Wednesday (Jan. 17) night.
6. Lampeter-Strasburg (8-5 Overall, Last Week: No. 9)
If you’re a player, coach, or fan of Lampeter-Strasburg, you have to be encouraged after last week. It started with an overtime loss to a strong Octorara team before the Pioneers rebounded to win by 31 at Northern Lebanon. That set up a matchup against Chambersburg, one of the top teams in Class AAAAAA District 3.
L-S opened eyes around the district and maybe even the state by dominating the Trojans in a 62-38 win. Junior guard Chase Smucker scored 19 points against Chambersburg and currently ranks 8th in the L-L League in scoring by averaging 16.0 ppg.
7. Hempfield (8-5 Overall, Last Week: No. 5)
The Black Knights started last week strong before it ended with a bit of a thud. Hempfield beat McCaskey by 20 before dominating Lebanon in a 31-point win. But then Saturday came along and HHS scored just 24 points in a loss to a struggling Governor Mifflin team. Senior forward Ben Troyer continues to be a scoring machine by averaging 21.8 points per game. If the Black Knights can give him some more consistent help, Hempfield has the potential to make a run at an L-L League title and make some noise in the Class AAAAAA District 3 tournament.
8. Ephrata (9-4 Overall, Last Week: No. 6)
When Ephrata
lost at home to Warwick, 63-46, last Friday it was a disappointing result for the Mountaineers who were previously unbeaten in league play. But the Mounts rebounded and earned a road win at Twin Valley on Saturday to finish off the week with a 2-1 mark that also included a road victory over Conestoga Valley. Ephrata doesn’t “wow” you but the Mounts are solid as a rock on both ends of the floor. Junior guard Marqus Hardin (15.0 ppg) is one of the best players in the L-L League.
9. Columbia (8-5 Overall, Last Week: No. 3)
It was a challenging week for Columbia. The Crimson Tide played four consecutive games from Thursday through Sunday. The result? A 1-3 record with three consecutive losses. The first of those defeats came at home to rival Lancaster Catholic before losses against Berlin Brothersvalley (11-1 overall) and Severn School, MD (11-4 overall). Columbia is still unbeaten in league play and will have a chance to take control of the L-L League Section 4 race when the Crimson Tide visits Lancaster Mennonite Friday (Jan. 19) evening.
10. Penn Manor (10-4 Overall, Last Week: No. 8)