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Boys basketball: Thomas Jefferson (13-4, 8-0) still holds onto the Southern Piedmont Conference 1A lead with four games to go. They just beat Pine Lake Prep by 17 in the only game they had of the week. While they do have two big games this week with Lincoln Charter and then they visit Community School of Davidson on Friday, it’s the game at home versus Cherryville that is key on Valentine’s Day.
East Rutherford (13-5, 8-3) fell for the second time this season to Shelby in a 77-71 contest. They are now tied with East Burke for the second seed, but East Rutherford has it with a better overall record for the moment. They go to Crest on Friday and host R-S Central on Feb.11.
Meanwhile, R-S Central (11-9, 5-7) got past Chase in a 65-45 win in the only game they got to play this past week. A huge game comes up on Friday as they host East Burke. The Hilltoppers really need to win three of their next four contests to at least secure a playoff bid. It’s still very possible that they could win just once or even twice and make the field. Chase lost in their only game of the week and will not make the postseason.
This year, the playoffs seedings are different than in the past and will go as it did in the most recent football playoff. Split conferences earn two bids, but a third and fourth could qualify based on conference win percentage. This affects R-S Central, who is on the bubble and for the moment are among the last six teams making the field in the 2A West.
Thomas Jefferson looks like the No.3 overall seed at the moment in the 1A West and would be no worse than that seeding should they win the conference outright.
Girls: Leading the SMAC remains to be East Rutherford (15-2, 10-1) as they have five games left. Their toughest contests seem to be behind them, but good teams don’t lax up, they go out and win. That’s what message Coach Larry Ross must send to his players as senior Rachel Camp leads the way.
Seeming 1A playoff bound is Thomas Jefferson (7-9, 5-3), who has made a recent run in the SPC. They have won three games in a row, above .500 in conference, but face a tough stretch in their final four games on the schedule.
R-S Central won their only game of the week at Chase, but still must win out and hope Draughn loses out just to even capture a 2A playoff spot.
Kyra Davis posted 17 and Jamie Phillips had a season high 11 points, but it wasn’t enough in a 53-40 loss to Central. The Lady Trojans are out of playoff contention this season.
As of right now and considering 32 teams in the 2A West, East Rutherford is looking at a five or six in the playoff seeding in 2A. Thomas Jefferson would be the only other team looking at a playoff spot among the ladies. The Lady Gryphons are on the bubble, but barely sneak in the 1A West bracket at the moment.
Well, like many, I thought the Super Bowl would be close, but Seattle proved in the first half that they were the best team in football this season and went on to a 43-8 victory. It was the most lopsided Super Bowl margin since 1993.
As they say, defense wins championships. The Seahawks may have the best secondary that I have seen in my lifetime. The performance of the Seahawk defense was overall more physical and just dominate against the Broncos.
Not only that, Seattle had everything working for them following the Broncos safety on the first play from scrimmage. As for Seattle offensively, Russell Wilson had very little pressure on him all night from the pocket and having the lead all night didn’t hurt either. A special teams touchdown to open the second half sealed the deal.
Seattle played in the best conference this season, the NFC. Playing in that division probably helped their case against a Denver team that hasn’t seen a defense like Seattle’s all year long.
For those who think Peyton Manning’s career is tarnished after losing that badly on Sunday, I just don’t think so. Manning is a first year ballot selection to the Hall of Fame, whenever his time comes. Who knows? Manning could return to the Super Bowl again next year.
Top Five NFL teams to end the year: 5) New Orleans 4) Carolina 3) San Francisco 2) Denver 1)Seattle.
