Power Pack: RI High School Boys' Basketball: February 6th
Jack Andrade, GoLocalProv Sports Reporter
Power Pack: RI High School Boys' Basketball: February 6th
There are too many storylines to count in RIIL boys' basketball right now. Dominant Division 2 and Division 3 teams with their sights on the Open Tournament, key injuries to multiple All-Staters, 2 teams riding 15 game winning streaks (and counting), and so much more. This week's Power Pack features a little shakeup in the Top 5, as well as multiple Division 2 and Division 3 teams worthy of consideration among the Top 10 teams in the state.
Power Pack: RI High School Boys' Basketball: February 5th
Mt. Hope
Division Record: 9-1 (Division 3 East)
Overall Record: 12-1
Mt. Hope hasn't had the benefit of playing many of the top ranked teams in the state this season, but with a solid 12-1 record (and the only loss coming against Middletown) they've proven themselves as a realistic Open Tournament team. Averaging an incredible 68.6 points per game against Division 3 opponents, Mt. Hope is good enough offensively to scare anyone.
Middletown
Division Record: 9-0 (Division 3 East)
Overall Record: 12-1
The top team in Division 3 to this point, Middletown has wins over Mt. Hope and Prout to hang their hats on, as well as an undefeated season in league play. Middletown has a huge game Friday against fellow Division 3 unbeaten East Greenwich.
Classical
Division Record: 7-4 (Division 1 Central)
Overall Record: 10-6
The defending Open Tournament champs, Classical has been steady all season and should be a factor come tournament time again this year. The Purple are the top team in Division 1 Central and have scored nearly 1000 points as a team in their 16 games this season.
Smithfield
Division Record: 7-3 (Division 1 North)
Overall Record: 8-3
The 3 teams that have beaten Smithfield this season are all in the Top 5 in this Power Pack, and the Sentinels are riding a 5 game winning streak right now as they get set for a big matchup on Thursday against La Salle.
Barrington
Division Record: 8-1 (Division 2 East)
Overall Record: 11-3
Barrington is a legitimate Open Tournament contender, but with star point guard Corey Daughtery on the shelf with an injury, much of their success will depend on the timeliness of his recovery. The Eagles have won 3 straight and now face a back to back Thursday and Friday against Chariho and Narragansett.
Hendricken
Division Record: 9-1 (Division 1 South)
Overall Record: 9-2
Hendricken is playing better and better as the season wears on, knocking off Classical by 15 last Friday and making a statement that they're a Top 5 team in the state again. The Hawks have a big game this Sunday when they take on Coventry.
North Kingstown
Division Record: 7-3 (Division 1 South)
Overall Record: 12-3
North Kingstown has lost back to back games, but the Skippers still boast a nice record and impressive wins over Hendricken, Smithfield, Prout, and Barrington on their resume. The Skippers give up just under 45 points per game, and any team that defends at that level is going to be a Top 5 team and a viable threat to win it all come Tournament time.
West Warwick
Division Record: 11-0 (Division 2 Central)
Overall Record: 15-1
West Warwick has been unscathed in Division 2 and have shown enough in non-league play to warrant a Top 3 spot in this week's Power Pack. The Wizards have beaten Barrington and Prout, and their lone loss came in their opener against Coventry. West Warwick is also one of 2 teams in Rhode Island riding a 15 game winning streak right now.
Coventry
Division Record: 9-2 (Division 1 South)
Overall Record: 14-2
Coventry is coming off a loss to Hope, but prior to that they had only lost to La Salle and are still the #2 team in Division 1 right now. The Oakers have big games Thursday and Sunday this week, taking on Classical and Hendricken respectively.
La Salle
Division Record: 10-0 (Division 1 North)
Overall Record: 15-0
La Salle remains the clear cut #1 team in the state right now, standing alone in the undefeated club and possessing the most potent offense in Division 1 (1,030 points this season). La Salle goes on the road this weekend to take on Smithfield Thursday and St. Raphael Saturday.
