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Well, I have seen, heard, looked at stats and everything else under the sun to give a prognosis of how the high school basketball season should play out in the SMAC this season.
As for the boys, Patton, Chase, Burns and R-S Central should all have a number of close games this season with each other in fighting from last to fourth. I like the Hilltoppers finishing fourth out of this group with Chase still a bit of mystery to me. We will find out more after the first week of SMAC play.
No doubt, Shelby, East Rutherford and Freedom should duke it out for the top spot in conference. Freedom has the most experienced group back and Shelby also returns Gabe Devoe and a good bit of talent back from a year ago. And if East Rutherford can play every night like they have against Hunter Huss so far, it could be the Cavs hoisting the conference title.
On the girls side of the SMAC, Chase, Burns and Shelby should duel for last through fifth in the conference. Chase will need to beat Shelby twice to get a 2A playoff spot, which is rare to say, but they actually might have a chance this season to do. I can’t remember the last time they defeated Shelby in girls hoops to be honest.
Patton, East Rutherford and R-S Central should vie for fourth through second this season. Patton could be the surprise of the league, East will go as far as Camp leads them and though depth is questionable, Central has a reliable six-pack that should keep them towards the top of the league. While they will have some close game, I am taking Freedom in the girls portion of the SMAC.
In the Western Highlands, Thomas Jefferson boys won’t have the season of a year ago, but will likely fight for sixth overall and a playoff spot. The girls are likely to see a similar record, vying for sixth and earning a postseason bid.
Just two weeks are left in the NFL season, below is my team rankings as all of these are in the playoffs if the season ended today.
12) Cincinnati-Staying ahead of Steelers for now. Solid defense, sketchy offense.
11) Minnesota-Adrian Peterson has gone crazy lately, but they face Houston and Green Bay to end season. Have beaten Washington and San Francisco this season.
10) Indianapolis-They want a shootout since offense can score, but the defense hasn’t helped much lately, allowing 29 points or more in three of the last five games.
9) Baltimore- Lost three in a row to teams in the playoff hunt and face two more to end the season. Injuries have been an issue too.
8) San Francisco - Might be the most confusing team for now. Has the potential to be very good and implemented that against New England.
7) Green Bay - It’s not overpowering as expected in Wisconsin, but they are winning.
6) Washington - Quarterback situation is the best they have encountered in years. Redskins have won five straight. Defense a little iffy.
5) Seattle - Stock rising: Won five of last six and hits 50 point mark in back-to-back weeks.
4) Houston - Got destroyed by the Patriots and then upended a very tough Indy offense a week later to win AFC South for second year in a row.
3) Atlanta -I haven’t put much faith in “The Dirty Birds” this season, but after thrashing the Giants, I am a believer.
2) New England - Thought they were going to stay No.1 after coming back from four TD’s behind against 49ers, but were finished off late.
1) Denver - Has won nine straight with a weaker schedule than most. However, a beat down of Baltimore shows that they really are contenders.
On the outside: Steelers, Bears, Cowboys, Giants
