Preseason rankings have been a blog topic I have considered for some time. As a matter of fact, that time was shortly after the girl's basketball state finals at Redbird Arena. Hinckley-Big Rock had just defended their Class 1A state championship, by downing Jacksonville Routt for another state title.
The Royals had the benefit of Northern Illinois-bound Jenna Thorp for the final time. The team had dressed just eight players at the varsity level, and lost three of their starters to graduation. Thorp will be a big loss, but I believe Tess Godhardt will do a fantastic job at leading H-BR in 2010-11. I was uber-impressed with her play as a sophomore at the state finals in 2008-09.
Not long after the basketball season ended, I started piecing together teams to watch out for in the 2010-11 season, call me maniacal. Hinckley-Big Rock was not my first choice as the top ranked team for the next season. I knew this would bring some debate, and I am hell-bent on my decision for many of my favorite preseason teams, in a season that still doesn't start for another four months.
I unveiled my preseason rankings for the Class 1A girl's basketball season about a week ago. Normally, I would not identify them as the IHSSN preseason poll, but since I am a network of one, and I feel confident in my voting (seeing many of the teams, and having a great knowledge of statewide girl's basketball), it was a no-brainer to put pen to paper.
Not long after I published those rankings, I heard some flack....which was to be expected. This was actually a planned blog a few months ago, but had decided to wait until the preseason rankings were actually released. Since I have earned some criticism over those rankings, I will reveal the madness in my mind behind preseason rankings.
First off, rankings (preseason and not), mean nothing. As much as the media (me, included), think we know, there are people that know more (whether they think they do, or actually do). There could be 100 polls/rankings made, and each one could be criticized. I have been critical at times of the Associated Press rankings, but fans could be just as critical of mine, and anybody else's.
Preseason Theory
In many instances, a defending champion is listed as the preseason #1 team in whatever sport. Sure, it is their title to win or lose. I don't have a problem with a defending champion being number one ranked, and won't be surprised when Hinckley-Big Rock will be the AP #1 in Class 1A girl's basketball in November.
However, I have a different rationale behind my voting. I look into what teams made a deep run in the postseason. First, I check the final four. The teams that advanced to Redbird Arena and played in the state finals. I am looking for how those teams fared over the course of the season, the matchups they faced in the postseason, and the number of returning key players they had on their roster.
Some teams I had the chance to watch (first-person) more than others. In those cases, I have a better personal scouting report. All-in-all, I rank my preseason top ten on how I believe they will finish in 2010-11. This is a preseason poll for the 2010-11 season. This is not a poll on congratulating team's on their play last season. Trophies were given for the teams that won regionals, sectionals, etc.
If a team lost a lot of key players, I may feel their rankability is much lower than others. My preseason number one in Class 1A girl's basketball is Havana. This is a team that took Brimfield to double overtime in the Class 1A Supersectionals two seasons ago. Two seasons ago? Why would that matter? Well, most of the players that will be wearing a Ducks jersey AGAIN this season, were key players in that game. In addition, that team took Jacksonville Routt to overtime in last year's Supersectional. A Routt team that played for a state championship last season. Hinckley-Big Rock is deserving of a number one ranking in the preseason for their resume over the last two seasons, and I have no problem if they attain that top ranking this November.
Essentially, my preseason poll is based on how a team fared during last season, with the addition of how many returning players they have coming back. In addition, if I am aware of an excellent group of players coming into high school that could impact varsity, that is taken into account.
Sound off! Let me hear your comments/criticism/etc. Comment below.
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