Week 12: Local prep basketball power poll

Lessons learned after local rankings’ first year

By Steve Tappa, tappa@qconline.com  

 

 

So what did we learn the last few months from the Quad Cities Prep Basketball Power Poll?

 

With today’s final batch of local rankings, let me recount some of the lessons gleened from the joint effort between WQAD-TV, The Dispatch, The Rock Island Argus and The Leader newspapers.

 

Among the new rules now, heading into next season for our panel of 11 local sportswriters and broadcasters? Never write off a team that’s lost six straight midseason games.

 

After all, United Township roared back from that rough stretch to claim a share of the Western Big 6 Conference championship over the weekend.

 

Another hard-learned lesson? Don’t worry so much about teams sliding into the postseason. Monmouth-Roseville lost four of its last seven, but shrugged off that ending stretch and reclaimed a Top 10 poll spot by beating 23-win Orion to claim a regional title Friday.

 

Also, don’t stress out about teams more up-and-down than a rollercoaster. Sterling won an outright NCIC Reagan title over the weekend despite splitting 16 games since an 11-0 start.

 

And, make sure to remember Stark County, which makes its debut today in our 12th and last installment of the local boys’ rankings. The Rebels started 6-6 but have won 16 straight to win a regional title and Lincoln Trail Conference crown.

 

So how did we do as far as forecasting future success? Besides No. 10 Stark County and No. 3 Macomb, eight of the final Top 10 teams were ranked in the first Top 10 of the season way back in November.

 

In the final poll, regional losses cost Morrison and Annawan spots in the Top 10, and Orion tumbled from No. 3 to No. 9. Davenport Central remained No. 1 in the boys’ poll for the eighth straight week. 

 

The final girls’ rankings were released two weeks ago. Top-rated Davenport Assumption is the only team alive, advancing to this week’s state tournament.

 

The rankings are determined on a descending points system, with a first-place vote receiving 10 points, a second-place vote receiving 9 points, and so on.

 

To see how the individual media members voted, see www.qconline.com or wqad.com. Throughout the week, and for continued comment, the local polls can also be found on The Dispatch/Argus sports blog.

 

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QC PREP BASKETBALL POWER POLL 

 

BOYS

Rank. Team (Record) Points (1st) Last Wk.

 

1. Davenport Central (20-2) 110 (11) 1

– Comment: The most-anticipated “Round 3″ in heavyweight history is happening Tuesday. The defending champion Blue Devils made a perfect run through the Mississippi Athletic Conference thanks to a pair of victories over arch-rival Bettendorf. But now, a trip to state hangs in the balance of this state-ranked battle, and the Bulldogs have been to Iowa’s Final Four three of the last four years. Next: At Iowa Class 4A Substate (Tuesday vs. Bettendorf).

 

2. Bettendorf (19-3) 99 2

– Comment: In the regular-season finale, the Bulldogs got revenge for a 2007 state title-game loss to Linn-Mar Marion. Now, in this week’s Iowa Class 4A Substate final, Coach Kevin Skillett’s group has a chance to avenge two of its three losses this season. Bettendorf will need to find a way to stop Central’s big three — L.A. Pomlee, Hal Bateman and E.J. Hicks — besides finding a way to hit some shots itself against a stifling zone defense. Next: At Iowa Class 4A Substate (Tuesday vs. Davenport Central).

 

3. Macomb (21-6) 74 4

– Comment: Ranked ninth in the Illinois Associated Press’ final Class 2A poll, the Olympic Conference champs were rewarded for a fine regular season. Now, for winning the Camp Point Regional crown over the weekend, the Bombers get a state-rated battle with No. 7 Bloomington Central (25-3) in the sectional semifinals. Next: At Illinois Class 2A Petersburg PORTA Sectional (Tuesday vs. Bloomington Central).

 

4. United Township (16-10) 72 6

– Comment: Unexpected at the start of the season — and seemingly impossible at 8-9 at midseason — the Panthers clawed their way to an improbable Western Big 6 Conference title share by winning 8 of their last 9 games. UT last claimed league hardware with an outright title in 1999. These Panthers are just the fourth bunch of Hilltopper hoopsters to hang a Big 6 banner, also joining title shares in 1994 and 1974. Next: At Illinois Class 4A East Moline Regional (Tuesday vs. Moline).

 

5. Geneseo (18-8) 63 5

– Comment: Also getting hot at the right time of the season. The Leafs carry a six-game winning streak into the postseason, with last week’s NCIC crossover win against Lincoln champ Rock Falls standing as the most impressive of those victories. Next: At Illinois Class 3A Geneseo Regional (Tuesday vs. tonight’s winner between Alleman and Galesburg).

 

6. Sterling (19-8) 57 7

– Comment: Survived a two-point affair over the weekend with fellow NCIC title-contender Ottawa. That not only avenged Sterling’s only league loss, but allowed the Golden Warriors to claim an outright NCIC Reagan crown for the first time since 1994. Next: At Illinois Class 3A Dixon Regional (Tuesday vs. tonight’s winner between Freeport and Dixon).

 

7. Monmouth-Roseville (22-7) 40 12

– Comment: Won back local voters in the final week by knocking off Olympic Conference rival Orion for Illinois’ Class 2A Sherrard Regional championship. Now, in the sectional semifinals, the Titans get an up close look at Eureka’s Jordan Prosser, a major-college prospect considered to be the state’s top junior in any class. Next: At Illinois Class 2A Princeton Sectional (Wednesday vs. Eureka).

 

8. Moline (15-9) 38 8

– Comment: Isiah Nunn finished the Western Big 6 Conference season with 234 points. By one point, that broke Moline’s 32-year-old standard set by Iowa recruit Jim Hallstrom in 1976. Larry Moore, a Quincy great in the early 1970s, still is the league’s single-season scoring champ with 276 points in 1971-72 — well before there was a 3-point line. Next: At Illinois Class 4A East Moline Regional (Tuesday vs. United Township).

 

9. Orion (23-6) 22 3

– Comment: Tough matchup in the regional finals, with the Chargers facing the same school that knocked them out of last year’s sectional finals. What’s more, the loss came in a rubbermatch with Olympic Conference rival Monmouth-Roseville. Besides losing 2 of 3 against the Titans this season, Orion also was beaten by state-rated Macomb and state-qualifier Davenport Assumption. Next: Season over.

 

10. Stark County (22-6) 11.5 14

– Comment: A 16th straight win captured the Princeville Regional title, a week after the Rebels’ late-season rally from 6-6 also captured the Lincoln Trail Conference crown. Stark County’s reward for all of that good work? Drawing in this week’s sectional semis Illinois’ top-ranked Class 1A crew, Lewistown. Next: At Illinois Class 1A Bushnell Sectional (Tuesday vs. Lewistown).

 

 

ALSO RECEIVING VOTES:

Morrison (23-9) 9; Davenport Assumption (14-9) 6; Annawan (22-8) 2.5; Rock Falls (17-9) 1.

 

11. Morrison (23-9) 9 10

– Comment: The Three Rivers Conference champs finished losing 2 of their last 3 with scoring leader Jason Smith on the mend. The Mustangs battled mightily, though, losing Illinois’ Class 2A Fulton Regional title game in double overtime to a good Savanna West Carroll club. Next: Season over.

 

12. Davenport Assumption (14-9) 6 NR

– Comment: Iowa Class 4A champ Bettendorf blocked a state football trip for the Knights last fall. But two of those frustrated gridders, Ben Bush and Asa Klein, have stepped up late in the basketball season to get the Knights to 2A’s Elite Eight state tournament. Next: At Iowa’s Class 2A state tournament (pairings to be announced).

 

13. Annawan (22-8) 2.5 9

– Comment: A tough ending to the All-State career of Tanner Carlson. The school’s all-time scoring leader, and 2,000-point scorer, suffered through a 3-for-17 shooting night. What’s worse, Carlson’s Braves failed to capitalize with their Class 1A Erie Regional final tied with four minutes to play. Next: Season over.

 

14. Rock Falls (17-9) 1 NR

– Comment: A regional rubbermatch with neighboring rival Sterling is looming for the NCIC Lincoln co-champs. Sterling handled Rock Falls in the season-opening Sauk Valley Shootout, but the Rockets avenged that loss earlier this month by a whopping 17 points. Next: At Illinois Class 3A Dixon Regional (Wednesday vs. Rochelle).

 

NR. Clinton Prince of Peace (18-3) 0 11

– How they fared: At Iowa Class 1A District (Beat Bellevue Marquette, 47-39 Tuesday; Lost to Preston, 51-48 Thursday). Next: Season over.

 

NR. Riverdale (16-14) 0 NR

– How they fared: At Illinois Class 2A Fulton Regional (Lost to Savanna West Carroll, 74-45 Wednesday). Next: Season over.

 

NR. Pleasant Valley (15-8) 0 13

– How they fared: At Iowa Class 4A Substate (Beat Davenport West, 47-34 Monday; Lost to Bettendorf, 52-33 Friday). Next: Season over.

 

NR. Aledo (15-13) 0 NR

– How they fared: At Illinois Class 1A Abingdon Regional (Beat AlWood, 55-27 Tuesday; Lost to Kewanee Wethersfield, 69-52 Wednesday). Next: Season over.

 

NR. Central DeWitt (14-8) 0 NR

– How they fared: At Iowa Class 3A District (Beat Maquoketa, 63-58 Monday; Lost to Dubuque Wahlert, 71-46 Thursday). Next: Season over.

 

NR. North Scott (12-10) 0 15

– How they fared: At Iowa Class 4A Substate (Beat Davenport North, 59-48 Monday; Lost to Davenport Central, 57-40 Friday). Next: Season over.

 

NR. Rock Island (11-15) 0 NR

– How they fared: Lost to United Township, 57-50 Friday. Next: At Illinois Class 3A Geneseo Regional (Wednesday vs. Dunlap).

 

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HOW THEY VOTED

 

Marc Nesseler, sports editor/Rock Island beat man  
 mnesseler@qconline.com

 

1. Davenport Central (20-2)

2. Bettendorf (19-3)

3. Geneseo (18-8)

4. United Township (16-10)

5. Moline (15-9)

6. Macomb (21-6)

7. Monmouth-Roseville (22-7)

8. Sterling (19-8)

9. Stark County (22-6)

10. Orion (23-6)

 

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Mick Moninghoff, WQAD sports director

 Mick.Moninghoff@WQAD.com

 

1. Davenport Central (20-2)

2. Bettendorf (19-3)

3. Macomb (21-6)

4. Monmouth-Roseville (22-7)

5. Stark County (22-6)

6. Sterling (19-8)

7. Geneseo (18-8)

8. United Township (16-10)

9. Davenport Assumption (15-9)

10. Orion (23-6)

 

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Jeff Wendland, lead sportswriter 
 jwendland@qconline.com  

 

1. Davenport Central (20-2)

2. Bettendorf (19-3)

3. United Township (16-10)

4. Geneseo (18-8)

5. Macomb (21-6)

6. Sterling (19-8)

7. Moline (15-9)

8. Monmouth-Roseville (22-7)

9. Stark County (22-6)

10. Rock Falls (17-9)

 

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Matt Randazzo, WQAD sports anchor  

 Matt.Randazzo@wqad.com

 

1. Davenport Central (20-2)

2. Bettendorf (19-3)

3. Macomb (21-6)

4. Sterling (19-8)

5. United Township (16-10)

6. Geneseo (18-8)

7. Moline (15-9)

8. Davenport Assumption (15-9)

9. Monmouth-Roseville (22-7)

10. Orion (23-6)

 

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Steve Tappa, Big 6/Moline beat man 
 stappa@qconline.com

 

1. Davenport Central (20-2)

2. Bettendorf (19-3)

3. Macomb (21-6)

4. United Township (16-10)

5. Moline (15-9)

6. Sterling (19-8)

7. Geneseo (18-8)

8. Monmouth-Roseville (22-7)

9. Orion (23-6)

10. Morrison (23-9)

 

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Matt Veto, United Township beat man/Leader sports editor 
 mveto@qconline.com  

 

1. Davenport Central (20-2)

2. Bettendorf (19-3)

3. Geneseo (18-8)

4. Macomb (21-6)

5. Orion (23-6)

6. United Township (16-10)

7. Sterling (19-8)

8. Moline (15-9)

9. Monmouth-Roseville (22-7)

10. Stark County (22-6)

 

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Dan Tomlin, Geneseo/girls beat man  
 dtomlin@qconline.com  

 

1. Davenport Central (20-2)

2. Bettendorf (19-3)

3. Macomb (21-6)

4. United Township (16-10)

5. Moline (15-9)

6. Sterling (19-8)

7. Geneseo (18-8)

8. Monmouth-Roseville (22-7)

9. Orion (23-6)

10. Morrison (23-9)

 

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Ryan Sergeant, Alleman beat man 
 rsergeant@qconline.com  

 

1. Davenport Central (20-2)

2. Bettendorf (19-3)

3. United Township (16-10)

4. Geneseo (18-8)

5. Moline (15-9)

6. Sterling (19-8)

7. Macomb (21-6)

8. Monmouth-Roseville (22-7)

9. Orion (23-6)

10. Annawan (22-8)

 

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Tom Johnston, MAC beat man 
 tjohnston@qconline.com  

 

1. Davenport Central (20-2)

2. Bettendorf (19-3)

3. Macomb (21-6)

4. United Township (16-10)

5. Geneseo (18-8)

6. Monmouth-Roseville (22-7)

7. Sterling (19-8)

8. Orion (23-6)

9. Morrison (23-9)

10 (tie) Annawan (22-8)

10 (tie). Stark County (22-6)

 

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Terry Duckett, area beat man  
 tduckett@qconline.com

 

1. Davenport Central (20-2)

2. Bettendorf (19-3)

3. Macomb (21-6)

4. Sterling (19-8)

5. United Township (16-10)

6. Monmouth-Roseville (22-7)

7. Geneseo (18-8)

8. Moline (15-9)

9. Orion (23-6)

10. Annawan (22-8)

 

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Joel Donofrio, copy editor/prep reporter 
 jdonofrio@qconline.com

 

1. Davenport Central (20-2)

2. Bettendorf (19-3)

3. United Township (16-10)

4. Sterling (19-8)

5. Geneseo (18-8)

6. Morrison (23-9)

7. Macomb (21-6)

8. Monmouth-Roseville (22-7)

9. Orion (23-6)

10. Davenport Assumption (15-9)

 

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NOTE:

These are the last rankings of the season. Thanks for following along with us.

 

Posted 2/25/2008, 4:43:AM, by Tappa | 1 Comment »

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