1. Octorara (14-2 Overall, Last Week: No. 2)
The Braves rise to the No. 1 spot after picking up their 14th win of the season with a 23-point road triumph at Northern Lebanon. Standout guard Zach Kirk scored 22 points against the Vikings and currently ranks 4th in the Lancaster-Lebanon League in scoring at 18.8 points per game. Octorara is one of the best offensive teams in the L-L League. The Braves have scored at least 60 points in 14 of their 16 games while topping scoring 65 or more 10 times.
2. Cedar Crest (10-3 Overall, Last Week: No.1)
Cedar Crest drops from the No. 1 spot after
suffering a blowout loss to Central Dauphin in the L-L/Mid-Penn Showcase Saturday evening. The Rams built a 24-3 first-quarter lead before dominating the Falcons in an 80-57 rout. The loss ended an eight-game winning streak for Cedar Crest in which the Falcons scored 60+ points in each contest. Despite the defeat, Cedar Crest is still one of the top teams in the L-L League. The Falcons are 5-0 in league play but will be tested this week with four games in the span of five days: at Hempfield (Jan. 22), at Penn Manor (Jan. 23), vs. Milton Hersey (Jan. 24), at Lebanon (Jan. 26).
3. Warwick (9-5 Overall, Last Week: No. 5)
There’s perhaps no team playing better right now than the Warriors. Warwick has won five straight after a 4-5 start and controls its own destiny in pursuit of a Section 2 title. The Warriors are 6-0 in league play and already own road wins over Ephrata
and Manheim Central, the top two teams behind them in the section standings. The “Road” Warriors will be back on the bus again this week with three games away from home: at Solanco (Jan. 23), at Elizabethtown (Jan. 25), and at Cocalico (Jan. 26).
4. Lancaster Mennonite (10-3 Overall, Last Week: No. 3)
Due to the winter weather that impacted the area, the Blazers did not play last week. But Lancaster Mennonite remains in the top five of the rankings due to their resume so far this season. The Blazers have won five straight and remain as the No. 1 team in the Class AA District 3 power ratings. Mennonite doesn’t light up the scoreboard but this squad can defend: the Blazers are surrendering less than 50 points per game. A four-game week is on deck with the premier matchup coming Wednesday night when LMHS hosts Columbia.
5. Lampeter-Strasburg (10-5 Overall, No. 6)
If you’re looking for a team that’s flying under the radar but might have a chance to win the L-L League, Lampeter-Strasburg is your squad. The Pioneers grinded out Section 3 wins
over ELCO (58-51) and Cocalico (52-46) last week to make it four straight victories and five in their last six contests. The only loss in that stretch? In overtime to No. 1 Octorara. Junior guard Chase Smucker is a budding superstar. He scored 26 in the victory over Cocalico and is averaging 16.4 points per game.
6. Hempfield (9-5 Overall, Last Week: No. 7)
For the first few minutes of Saturday’s matchup with Cedar Cliff, the Black Knights looked like they had no business being in these rankings. But that’s why they play 32 minutes. Hempfield
overcame a 16-point, first-quarter deficit and stormed back to defeat Cedar Cliff, 64-53, as part of the L-L/Mid-Penn Showcase in Manheim. Superstar Ben Troyer did his thing against the Colts with 20 points, five rebounds, two steals, and three blocks. But it was his supporting cast that was the story in Saturday’s win. Nick Deeg, Caden Axe, Camden Weyforth, and Spencer Troyer combined to score 42 points against Cedar Cliff. If those players can continue to produce alongside Troyer, HHS can make a run at a league title.
7. Columbia (9-5 Overall, Last Week: No. 9)
After a three-game losing streak, Columbia got back to its winning ways last weekend. The Crimson Tide
took down a fiesty Middletown team, 49-46, in the opening game of the L-L/Mid-Penn Showcase in Manheim. Columbia improved to 7-3 overall in games played away from their home court while the Crimson Tide is oddly only 2-2 “on the hill”. This week brings its own challenges with four games in a six-day span: at York Suburban (Jan. 22), vs. Lancaster Country Day (Jan. 23), at Lancaster Mennonite (Jan. 24), vs. Eastern York (Jan. 27).
8. Ephrata (9-4 Overall, Last Week: No. 8)
There’s not much to say about Ephrata this week. The winter weather prevented the Mountaineers from playing last week. The Mounts remain in contention for the Section 2 title and a league playoff berth. If the season ended right now, Ephrata would make the Class AAAAAA District 3 tournament. The schedule makers were kind to the Mounts this week: Ephrata plays three home games against three Section 2 opponents with a .500 record or below.
9. Manheim Central (12-3 Overall, Last Week: No. 4)
Last week was a tough one for the Barons. Manheim Central went 0-2 with a Section 2 loss to Warwick and
a defeat against Bishop McDevitt in the L-L/Mid-Penn Showcase. Manheim Central started the season 9-0 and debuted at No. 1 in the first edition of these rankings but the Barons have been up-and-down in recent weeks with a 3-3 record over their last six games. The Barons can still defend (allowing only 46.3 ppg) but need to find more consistency on the offensive end.
10. Penn Manor (11-5 Overall, Last Week: No. 10)
The Comets played one of the most entertaining games of the season against Lower Dauphin in the L-L/Mid-Penn Showcase Saturday afternoon but it
ended in a 76-69 loss for Penn Manor. L-L League leading scorer and senior forward Ethan Benne scored 32 points in the defeat while junior guard Michael Lower added 25 points for the Comets. Similar to Manheim Central, Penn Manor has cooled off after a hot start. The Comets are just 6-5 over their last 11 games after starting the season with six straight wins. Penn Manor has a huge week coming up with home games against Cedar Crest (Jan. 23), Hempfield (Jan. 26), and Dallastown (Jan. 27).
Just missed:
ELCO (8-8 Overall, Last Week: NR)
Garden Spot (7-7 Overall, Last Week: NR)
Lancaster Country Day (8-5 Overall, Last Week: NR)
Cocalico (6-7 Overall, Last Week: NR)