| 23 January 2012
There was not much action last week in the Metro Conference due to the snow storm. We did, however, see some interesting gameplay early last Monday in the King Holiday Hoopfest.
Franklin dominated O’Dea and pulled off the upset. Franklin was the faster team and used that advantage on the fast break. The Irish did not come to play—they couldn’t shoot or play defense.
Rainier Beach suffered its first loss of the season in an electrifying game with Long Beach Poly (Calif.) in a battle of two squads each in ESPN’s national top 30. Poly’s dynamic duo of Roschon Prince and Jordan Bell was too much for the Vikings to handle in the first half. The second half was a different story: Rainier Beach’s Anrio Adams and Marquis Davis scored essentially all of their team’s second-half points in leading a late but ultimately unsuccessful comeback.
Seattle Prep blew out Federal Way in Hoopfest’s final contest. Prep came out attacking instantly and took advantage of Federal Way’s mistakes.
See my Power Rankings, Player of the Week and Predictions after the jump!
Player of the Week: F Mitch Brewe, Seattle Prep: Brewe deserves this award after his 26-point performance in the King Holiday Hoopfest and 16 points against Bishop Blanchet later in the week. The senior is back, becoming a threat again in the low post. If he continues to play with this intensity, don’t be surprised if he ends up getting this honor again in the next couple weeks.
Power Rankings:
1. Rainier Beach (14-1) The Vikings finally got a taste of what losing feels like. This team is talented but we can’t forget their inexperience and it showed in their game against Long Beach Poly. Adams and Davis were the only players who came to play. Beach was able to beat Chief Sealth (73-67), and finished out the week 1-1. In order for this team to win state—even Metro—the big men need to step up.
Prediction: The Vikings have two away games against Nathan Hale (10-4), and Bainbridge (8-6). Both these teams are on a hot streak and are hungry for an upset. With the way Beach is playing, it could happen. Beach struggled at home against Chief Sealth and the big men are not producing. Beach also has a home game against West Seattle (7-7). The Vikings are No. 1 for a reason and will bounce back, winning all three games.
2. Seattle Prep (13-2) The Panthers don’t take the top spot this week only because of their quality (or lack thereof) of opponents. They blew out 4A Federal Way (71-43) and Blanchet (66-26). Brewe’s outstanding play couldn’t have come at a better time as the Metro tournament is right around the corner. Josh Martin is starting to break out, as he went on a tear against Federal Way, dunking multiple times. With the way Prep’s big men are playing, I can see them taking down Rainier Beach in the future.
Prediction: Prep has two home games against Lakeside (8-7) and Nathan Hale (10-4). The Panthers tend to play their best ball at home and shouldn’t have a problem with either team, finishing the week 2-0.
3. Franklin (12-3) Franklin proved they are a contender last week, beating a very good O’Dea team. Arell Hennings knows what he’s doing running the point and impressed me with his court vision. Franklin is a fast team that will beat you easily if you don’t get back on defense. This is a dangerous team and one to look out for come playoff time.
Prediction: The Quakers face Bainbridge (8-6), and Nathan Hale (10-4) at home. If the Quakers play the way they did against O’Dea, neither game should be a challenge. I like Franklin in both games due to their outstanding guards.
4. O’Dea (10-6) The Irish fall back to No. 4 after their disappointing performance against Franklin. Once again, the Irish got off to a slow start and this time they couldn’t come out on top. O’Dea must have learned from that loss, as they crushed Eastside Catholic 71-44, a team that knocked off the Irish back in December. In order for this team to make a run in the playoffs, they need to start off strong in the first half. The Franklin game really took a toll on these players and they came out firing against Eastside. O’Dea builds off that win and makes a run from here on out.
Prediction: The Irish go on the road this week, facing Chief Sealth (9-5), and Lakeside (8-7). O’Dea tends to struggle away from home and could fall in these games unless they have a good first half in both games. The Irish will get it going in the first half and not look back winning both games.
5. Chief Sealth (9-5) Sealth almost upset No. 1 Rainier Beach, which definitely would have shaken up the rankings. The Seahawks have the talent with Pepe’ Hernandez and Bronte’ Corbray; it’s just a matter of executing. Even though Sealth lost to Beach, they played their best ball of the season, sticking around with the No. 1 team in the state. If the Seahawks can play the way they did against Beach, then they will earn a berth to state.
Prediction: Sealth has another opportunity to prove they are a contender this year. They host O’Dea (10-6) and go on the road to Eastside Catholic (9-7). Sealth keeps it close against O’Dea but falls in the end and also defeats Eastside Catholic remaining at No. 5 for another week.
6. Lakeside (8-7)
This Week: Seattle Prep (13-2), O’Dea (10-6)
7. Eastside Catholic (9-7)
This Week: Bishop Blanchet (1-14), Chief Sealth (9-5)
8. Nathan Hale (10-4)
This Week: Rainier Beach (14-1), Seattle Prep (13-2), Franklin (12-3)
9. Bainbridge (8-6)
This Week: Franklin (12-3), Rainier Beach (14-1)
10. West Seattle (7-7)
This Week: Ingraham (5-9), Cleveland (2-11), Rainier Beach (14-1)
11. Ingraham (5-9)
This Week: West Seattle (7-7), Bishop Blanchet (1-14), Cleveland (2-11)
12. Cleveland (2-11)
This Week: West Seattle (7-7), Ingraham (5-9)
13. Bishop Blanchet (1-14)
This Week: Eastside Catholic (9-7), Ingraham (5-9)
Game of the Week: O’Dea (10-6) at Chief Sealth (9-5)
Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
This game features two of the top five teams in Metro. Sealth comes into this game looking to pull off the upset at home, and has great guards in Hernandez and Corbray. O’Dea has three top players in Jalen Ward, Sekou Wiggs and Dana Abe. O’Dea tends to struggle in road games, but has bounced back and looks to win easily against the Seahawks. I see this as a close game and could come down to the wire.
Prediction: O’Dea 65-60
-Evan Baron (@BaselineBaron09)
