With the conclusion of the regular season approaching, we have entered the final week for the Varsity Insider high school boys and girls basketball power rankings.
The Rice boys have further solidified their hold on the top position, while a new girls team has replaced Champlain Valley in the rankings. Let’s take a look at how the top 10 lists unfolded.
Enjoy!
Boys Power Rankings for this week:
(Data as of February 12)
1. Rice Memorial High School
Current Record: 17-1
Rank as of January 29: 1
► In simple terms, the Green Knights have elevated their game to another level in February. They dominated St. Johnsbury 79-64 with a decisive fourth-quarter surge, set the tone early by completing a season sweep of the defending Division I champion Champlain Valley, and scored a season-high 94 points in a commanding victory over BFA-St. Albans.
2. Champlain Valley Union High School
Current Record: 15-3
Rank as of January 29: 3
► The Redhawks have triumphed in seven of their last eight games, with crucial matchups against South Burlington at home on Tuesday and St. Johnsbury on the road on Friday to close out the regular season.
3. St. Johnsbury Academy
Current Record: 14-4
Rank as of January 29: 2
► A second defeat to South Burlington has led to a drop in the rankings for the Hilltoppers this week.
4. Rutland High School
Current Record: 13-4
Rank as of January 29: 4
► Rutland has secured victory in four consecutive games following losses to Rice and St. Johnsbury. During this winning streak, Rutland has not allowed any opponent to score more than 60 points.
5. Hartford High School
Current Record: 17-1
Rank as of January 29: 5
► Hartford’s balanced team has extended their winning streak to 12 games, including a hard-fought 47-39 win against Fair Haven last week.
6. South Burlington High School
Current Record: 11-7
Rank as of January 29: 6
► Despite a four-game slump, the Wolves bounced back with a significant victory over St. Johnsbury last week, reigniting their playoff aspirations.
7. Montpelier High School
Current Record: 15-3
Rank as of January 29: 8
► The Solons are on a remarkable 15-game winning streak, securing all three victories last week by double-digit margins. They have scored 80 or more points in seven of their 15 wins.
8. Colchester High School
Current Record: 9-9
Rank as of January 29: Unranked
► Colchester ended a five-game losing streak with four consecutive wins, including a comeback against Mount Mansfield and a thrilling away victory over Burlington.
9. Burlington High School
Current Record: 9-9
Rank as of January 29: 9
► Victories against BFA-St. Albans and MMU have kept the young Seahorses in the top 10 rankings.
10. Hazen Union High School
Current Record: 15-3
Rank as of January 29: 10
► Hazen responded to their loss against Montpelier with three consecutive wins.
Key Matchups to Watch:
- South Burlington at Champlain Valley, 7 p.m. Tuesday
- Burlington at Rutland, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday
- Thetford at Hazen, 7 p.m. Thursday
- Champlain Valley at St. Johnsbury, 7 p.m. Friday
- Burlington at Rice, 1:30 p.m. Saturday
Girls Power Rankings for this week:
(Data as of February 12)
1. St. Johnsbury Academy
Current Record: 15-2
Rank as of January 29: 2
► St. Johnsbury secured a crucial road victory against Champlain Valley earlier this month, reclaiming the top spot in the rankings. They are currently on a 10-game winning streak.
2. Champlain Valley Union High School
Current Record: 15-1
Rank as of January 29: 1
► CVU swiftly bounced back from only their fourth in-state home loss under head coach Ute Otley’s 13-year tenure. The Redhawks have won four consecutive games, all by double-digit margins.
3. North Country Union High School
Current Record: 15-1
Rank as of January 29: 4
► The Falcons have not allowed any team to score more than 40 points since their loss to Mount Mansfield. They have emerged victorious in all games during their 13-game winning streak.
4. Rutland High School
Current Record: 12-5
Rank as of January 29: 6
► Rutland’s impressive ten-game winning streak has propelled them into the contenders’ discussion.
5. Essex High School
Current Record: 11-6
Rank as of January 29: 7
► Essex has won three of their last four games, including notable victories against Burlington and Mount Mansfield.
6. Burlington High School
Current Record: 12-5
Rank as of January 29: 3
► After losses to Essex and CVU, Burlington bounced back with convincing wins over South Burlington and BFA-St. Albans on the road.
7. Mount Mansfield Union High School
Current Record: 9-6
Rank as of January 29: 5
► Despite Meghan Thompson’s return from injury last week, the Cougars have slipped a few spots after relinquishing a substantial lead to Essex in the second half of Monday night’s game.
8. BFA-St. Albans
Current Record: 10-7
Rank as of January 29: 10
► The Comets have posted a 4-2 record in their last six games following a three-game slide in late January.
9. Fair Haven Union High School
Current Record: 13-3
Rank as of January 29: Unranked
► Fair Haven makes a return to the top 10 after securing a three-game winning streak, including a victory over defending Division III champion Windsor.
10. Hazen Union High School
Current Record: 15-1
Rank as of January 29: 9
► With a 14-game winning streak, the Wildcats have positioned themselves as the top seed in Division III.
Key Matchups to Watch:
- Colchester at Mount Abraham, 7 p.m. Tuesday
- Harwood at North Country, 6:30 p.m. Thursday
- BFA-St. Albans at St. Johnsbury, 7 p.m. Thursday
- Fair Haven at Windsor, 12:30 p.m. Saturday
Become a member of the Vermont Varsity Insider Facebook group at .
Contact Alex Abrami at . Follow him on Twitter: .