From the Sports Desk

High School Basketball

Men: East Rutherford (13-1) continues to roll as they opened league play 2-0 with wins against South Point and Chase. East will host R-S Central on the 29th, but had a huge game with Shelby on the 22nd.

R-S Central (10-6) has opened up 0-2 in league play, but has fallen by an average of 8.5 points per game. They led at the half at South Point, but couldn't finish the deal. They have Chase at home Friday the 25th and go to East Rutherford on the 29th.

Chase (3-12, 1-2) were blown out by East Rutherford, but still sit fourth in the league. They have Central on the road on the 25th and then host Shelby on the 29th.

Ladies:

East Rutherford (13-1) has now gone 2-0 in league play by easily dispatching of South Point and Chase. Shelby and East Gaston should be tougher, but R-S Central remains the key component at this point. Both teams are undefeated in league play and meet in the jungle on the 29th.

Chase (3-11) began league play 0-2, but could snap the losing streak against South Point this week.

Well, it will be Rams vs. Patriots!

Both #1 seeds lost the Conference Championships as New England leaned on Rex Burkhead twice for two late touchdowns and won in overtime.

It just didn't surprise me that New England found a way to win. The Pats defense was superb in the first half and then they used the run game and mismatches to keep the Chiefs on their toes in the second half. The Chiefs produced its best team in years and I like what they have built for next year. If I am them, I go find a couple of defensive players in the draft or in the offseason. It certainly isn't the offense that lacks power.

The Rams left the Saints in shock. They hadn't been beaten all year at home, but the Rams did it on a field goal in overtime. As I look at it, I do believe the Rams are playing like the better team. They are still without a couple of players, but the Rams have everything you could want in a team. They also have a young coach who doesn't mind testing the waters. The Saints had the best one-two punch when it came to running backs and also in the quarterback-wide receiver combo in the game. It still didn't matter. The Rams were the best on Sunday.

There is no Super Bowl prediction just yet because the Super Bowl is not until the first week of February. So, next week, I will give you my thoughts on it.

ACC Basketball

1)Duke- They only get better, but still not as deep as a couple of teams in the ACC.

2)Virginia- The only team that can honestly match up with Duke. I like Final Four chances if they are healthy at the end of year.

3)Louisville- Playing well right now. Shockingly well.

4)UNC- Still can beat Duke or anybody for that matter, but could lose to anybody as well.

5)Syracuse- Can score with you or play a defensive game. A ton of three point shooters.

6)Virginia Tech- Despite only two losses, they are still a second tier team at this point in the ACC.

7)NC State- They go as Torrin Dorn goes. Has Beaten Auburn.

8)Clemson- They go as Reed goes and as long as Thomas stays out of foul trouble.

9)Georgia Tech- Best win: at Syracuse. Can't beat Clemson at Littlejohn. Go figure?

10)FSU- Still a pretender. Lost to Pitt and BC. Lost to Duke without Williamson playing for a half at home.

11)Pitt- Having two predominant scorers, 7 deep at best and still a problem opponent every night.

12)BC- They go as Ky Bowman goes.

13)Notre Dame- Lost 6 games by 10 points or less. Getting a double-double every night from John Mooney.

14)Miami- Have one of the best lineups in the league, but only showing 7 deep.

15)Wake Forest- Still young and the schedule isn't getting any better.