There is a new No. 1 team in our Springfield area high school basketball Super 10, with small school district play beginning in Missouri next week.
Logan-Rogersville jumps into the top spot following Nixa’s rivalry win over Kickapoo last week. The Wildcats, coming off a state semifinal appearance, have looked like a team capable of a return trip to Columbia next month.
The fallout from the Kickapoo-Nixa matchup created a shakeup atop the rankings, and other results also caused movement.
Here is our latest Super 10 ranking:
Previous ranking: 2
No one is playing better than Rogersville right now. The Wildcats have claimed the top spot in our Super 10 rankings for the first time this season because of their high-level play, combined with Kickapoo’s recent loss at Nixa.
Recent Rogersville wins have included beatdowns of Greenwood, Branson, Carl Junction and West Plains. Chase Branham is playing better ball than anyone in the area, and he’s getting great play from others, including Jase Pettifurd, Marcus Moore, Titus Moore and others.
Previous ranking: 3
The Eagles earned their best win of the season with last week’s 51-43 rivalry win over Kickapoo. They rallied from an early 18-7 deficit to win a key Central Ozark Conference and district matchup behind great team defense and 13 points from Randy Flint.
The win likely locked down the Eagles’ No. 1 seed in Class 6, District 5, which will be held in Nixa. The Eagles have a big week ahead, with Friday’s game at Central potentially serving as a COC championship.
Previous ranking: 1
All of the Chiefs’ goals are still in front of them. If they win out, there’s a chance they can still claim a share of the COC during their first year in the league. They’re going to be a threat to win their district, even if they get a rematch with Nixa.
Kickapoo had an uncharacteristic game when losing to the Eagles, turning the ball over and struggling with pressure more than you’re used to seeing a Chiefs team do so. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Mitch McHenry gets that fixed between now and districts.
The Chiefs have Republic on Monday night and a trip to Lebanon on Friday before games against Glendale and Central next week.
Previous ranking: 4
The Bulldogs are in a position to win the COC over the next two weeks. Of the four teams in contention, they probably have the most difficult schedule remaining, but they have a group of winners, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they did it.
Central escaped a double-overtime game at Parkview with a win when the Vikings have been playing better ball lately. In addition to Keion Epps’ calm demeanor, Bryce Walker has been a monster in recent weeks, including a 30-point performance in the Bulldogs’ win over the Vikings.
Central has Ozark on Monday before games against Nixa, Waynesville and Kickapoo. If the Bulldogs win out, it’d be difficult to argue against them being the No. 1 team in the area.
Previous ranking: 5
The Tigers are right there and are capable of beating any of the teams we rank ahead of them. Brenley Hagewood is that special of a player, and Republic has shown the ability to string together consecutive high-level wins en route to championships.
Tuesday’s game against Kickapoo will be telling before closing the season against Carthage, Willard and Parkview. They have two losses in COC play when Central and Nixa are unbeaten, while Kickapoo has one loss. They’ll need to win Tuesday night and get a lot of help to claim a share of the league. Republic and Kickapoo’s game could decide the No. 2 seed in Class 6, District 5.
Previous ranking: 8
It’s that time of the year when Hartville starts playing at a championship level before making a run to a state championship. Recent games, including a 14-point win over Class 1 contending Chadwick, show the Eagles are trending in the right direction.
Eyes will go to a potential Class 2, District 10 championship when the Eagles could face Norwood. They two split their regular-season series, with Hartville winning the most recent game by nine on a neutral court.
Previous ranking: 8
Since losing to Hartville in Mountain Grove’s tournament, the Pirates have been dominant and earned one of their better wins of the season with their 69-60 win over Fair Grove.
The Pirates conclude their regular season with Mansfield before district play begins next week in Mansfield. They claimed the No. 1 seed and the bye, while Hartville will have to play an extra game. The potential championship between the two is scheduled for Feb. 28 at 6 p.m.
Previous ranking: 7
With a win on Tuesday night against Catholic, Strafford will claim at least a share of the Mid-Lakes Conference, which looks like it could be split between Fair Grove and Forsyth. Since losing to Forsyth, Strafford hasn’t lost, including a two-point win at rival Fair Grove when Cody Voysey hit a game-winner at the buzzer.
Strafford appears to be in a good spot to claim the No. 1 seed in Class 4, District 10, which also features Bolivar, Catholic and Osage.
Previous ranking: 6
Greenwood just lost its first game since the Blue and Gold Tournament when it lost 66-40 to Logan-Rogersville. More concerning is the status of Greenwood star senior Collin Clark, who exited the game with an ankle injury. He may sit out against Marion C. Early and Pleasant Hope to conclude the regular season, hoping to get as healthy as possible before districts begin.
The Blue Jays remain the favorite in their district, which includes Seymour, Fair Grove, Clever and Sparta. The district will be held in Strafford, with Greenwood as the likely No. 1 seed. Getting Clark ready to go will be critical when the Jays are capable of making a deep Class 3 postseason run.
Previous ranking: Just missed
The Eagles are one win over Clever on Tuesday night away from winning a share of the Mid-Lakes after beating Forsyth by a point on Friday night. The win gave Fair Grove some needed momentum heading into next week’s district tournament, where it’ll hope to knock off Greenwood.
Fair Grove is playing its best all season, thanks to the steady play of Spensar Seiger and Kyle Winterberg. The bulk of the roster played in a state championship football game back in December. This group won’t be phased the deeper it gets into the postseason.
Just missed: Bolivar, Branson Carl Junction, Chadwick, Forsyth, Parkview
