Western Mass. Boys Basketball Top 20: Sci-Tech, Amherst among teams rising

Our fourth rankings of the season, that are launched each Wednesday morning (present file, earlier rating in parentheses):

Previous rankings: Jan. 7, Dec. 20, Preseason

1. Pope Francis (7-1, No. 1)
2. Springfield Central (5-2, No. 2)
3. Chicopee Comp (6-2, No. 3)
4. Sci-Tech (5-2, No. 5)
5. Amherst (7-2, No. 8)
6. Agawam (5-5, No. 4)
7. Longmeadow (5-2, No. 6)
8. Minnechaug (5-3, No. 7)
9. Wahconah (9-1, No. 12)
10. Pittsfield (7-2, No. 13)
11. Putnam (2-6, No. 9)
12. Drury (8-2, No. 11)
13. Holyoke (1-6, No. 10)
14. Northampton (4-4, No. 14)
15. Frontier (9-1, No. 15)
16. East Longmeadow (6-3, No. 17)
17. Mount Everett (9-1, No. 19)
18. Commerce (7-2, NR)
19. Easthampton (7-2, No. 20)
20. Ludlow (7-2, NR)

ON THE RADAR: South Hadley, Taconic, Monument Mountain, Chicopee, Renaissance

IN: Ludlow, Commerce

OUT: Taconic, South Hadley

Another week within the books, and there’s not a ton of motion in our Western Mass. Top 20 rankings, as the highest three teams stay unchanged.

Pope Francis holds onto the highest spot for the third set of rankings in a row, after beating Putnam in its solely recreation over the previous week. But the Cardinals will get a tricky recreation on the Hoophall Classic in Springfield on Thursday evening, after they battle No. 2 Springfield Central within the nightcap of Day 1 (8:30 p.m. tip).

Those Golden Eagles had just one recreation this previous week as properly, although their recreation at Holyoke was by no means completed due to an on-court altercation within the second quarter. The standing of when and the way that recreation will likely be completed continues to be to be decided.

Sci-Tech continues its ascension up our rankings into the No. 4 spot, its highest of the season. I’m excited to observe the Cybercats play No. 11 Putnam at Hoophall on Thursday as properly, with tip-off for that Springfield showdown slated for six:30 p.m.

Other movers and shakers this week embrace Amherst, which has gained 5 video games in a row and vaulted into the No. 5 spot. The Hurricanes play No. 3 Chicopee Comp in an enormous unbiased recreation on Monday.

Ludlow and Commerce transfer into our rankings this week as each proceed to rack up victories. The Lions are 7-2 and recent off an out-of-area win over Ashland, whereas Commerce has stormed to the highest of the Bi-County East standings with an unblemished league mark.