Boys High School Rankings for Week of 11/1/2010

1. Mercer Island
2. Curtis
3. Rogers
4. Bellevue
5. Roosevelt
6. Auburn
7. Wilson
8. Enumclaw
9. Newport
10. Auburn Mountainview

Just in case anyone had any doubts about Mercer Island's #1 ranking, the Islanders made a strong statement in their 21 - 9 victory over Bellevue. After falling behind 4 to 2 at the end of the first quarter, Mercer Island took control outscoring the Wolverines 19 to 5 the rest of the way.  No one else in the state is going to score 21 points on Bellevue, and Mercer Island easily retains their #1 status.  Roosevelt had an opportunity to make a statement last week but failed to impress the Committee with their 11 -7 victory over Bainbridge Island.  Sure the Roughriders won, but it was a lackluster effort.  The cardiac moments are entertaining but the Committee expects more from a #2 going into the playoffs.  Sorry Roosevelt, but you are taking a slide down to #5.  You can prove the Committee wrong next weekend in the playoffs.  Curtis finished their regular season with impressive wins over both Puyallup and Kentridge.  The Vikings have been on a roll and are peaking at the right time.  Congratulations Curtis, this week you are #2.  Rogers moves up one spot to #3.  The Rams also appear to be peaking going into the playoffs and displayed both their power and defense in victories over Mark Morris and Auburn Riverside.  A Curtis-Rogers showdown looks likely in the championship final.  Well Bellevue, the Committee really can't penalize you for a loss to Mercer Island.  Hey you were leading after one quarter and you did score 9 points, so welcome to #4.  Again, the Committee thinks the difference between #2 through #5 is negligible, but choices have to be made.  Auburn cranked up their offense against Stadium early last week and enter the playoffs as a #1 seed which is good enough to hold on to #6 in the top ten.  Coming in at #7, Wilson looked strong in victories over Auburn Mountainview and Puyallup.  The first round of the playoffs will not be a cakewalk against Lakes, but if Wilson prevails, Rogers will have their hands full in the semis.  Enumclaw struggled this week in wins against Auburn Riverside and Peninsula.  The Committee is a little concerned, but the Hornets get the benefit of the doubt and hold on to #8.  Staying at #9, Newport lost their regular season final to CPA which is something they have in common with everyone else in their league.  The Knights are young but they might be poised to surprise a team or two in their championship tournament.  Speaking of young, Auburn Mountainview split last week's games with a loss to Wilson and a win over Peninsula to finish the regular season.  Welcome to the playoffs.  Your reward is getting to keep the #10 spot, and by the way, your first round opponent is Rogers.  Sorry Lakes, we know your are improving.  The playoffs will give you a great opportunity to show everyone that you deserve a place in the top ten (or not).

"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships"  Michael Jordan

Last Week's Poll Question

Which team should be ranked #2?

Last weeks question garnered the highest response of all.  Apparently the fans in the south sound are a little more passionate than the fans in the north end.  Rogers received 29 votes, followed by Curtis with 24.  Roosevelt and Bellevue each had 8.  Interesting and fun but the Committee does not consider the poll question when determining the weekly rankings.

Please check out the IMPACT PLAYERS who were recognized in the previous post dated 10/29/2010.

Also check back later in the week when the Committee attempts to offer some insight into the playoffs



IMPACT PLAYER RECOGNITION

The Committee considers an Impact Player to be one of the elite players in their league.  They're a player that can impact the game both offensively and defensively. Opposing coaches are aware of them and adjust game plans because of them, but these players still deliver.   When the game is on the line,  these are the players that can step up to make the difference.

The following Impact Players received multiple nominations from opposing coaches. With one exception, recognition was limited to one field player per team. 

 

(Listed in no particular order and my apologies for any misspelling of names)



Bryan Diebag, Auburn:  Very athletic player that poses a constant offensive threat when the ball is in his hand.

Conner Stinson, Roosevelt:  Possesses a mind for the game. Great anticipation and defensive skills make him one of the top thieves in the state as well as being an ever present scoring threat on the perimeter.

Matt Archer, Lakes: Powerful and athletic with an up tempo game and the ability to score from anywhere.

Eugene Chong, Mercer Island:  Was a member of the national junior team for a reason. A natural in the water that makes it look easy.  Best all around player in the state who can simply can do it all!

Nick Anthony, Wilson:  All around threat.  Strong hole set, defender and outside shooter.

Henry Fox, Mercer Island:  Big, strong and fast.  Can play all facets of the game. Incredible outside shot and excellent counter attacker who will take his game to the next level.

Justin Jones, Rogers:  Powerful shooter who possesses a strong tread giving him the ability to soar over defenders for a catch and shoot.

Chase Middlesworth, Bellevue:  A versatile physical player. A premier driver that is a constant scoring threat whenever and wherever he has the ball with shut down defensive skills both inside and out.

Adam Florsheim, CPA:  Only a sophomore whose goalie skills make him a game changer.  Ability to force even the best shooters to rethink their shots.

Peter Hammer, Curtis: Strong all around game.  Big offensive threat both on the inside and on the perimeter with the ability to take a game over. 

Garrett Hall,  Enumclaw:  Good team leader with a strong outside shot and the ability to score from anywhere.

Lee Griffin, Newport:  Big quick and dangerous in the hole set with the ability to also shoot from the outside.

Nick Glidden, CPA:  Left handed threat with the defensive skills to shutdown anyone.

Max Spaulding, Rogers: Experience,leadership, and skill make him one the states defensive stalwarts between the posts.

Hunter Arnold, Auburn Mountainview:  Strong all around game. Well grounded in the fundamentals both offensively and defensively.

Boys High School Rankings for Week of 10/25/2010

1. Mercer Island
2. Roosevelt
3. Curtis
4. Rogers
5. Bellevue
6. Auburn
7. Wilson
8. Enumclaw
9. Newport
10. Auburn Mountainview

Lets start with the easy stuff.  Mercer Island retains the #1 position winning the battle of the island teams over Bainbridge 13 - 4.  An improving Bainbridge team is not a major threat for Mercer Island, but can pose challenges to other league opponents.  The difference between #2 through #5 is razor thin which is probably the reason no team has been able to hold on to the #2 spot. Curtis's victory over Rogers leaves the rankings in a state of turmoil befuddling the Committee.  A four way tie for #2 is not unreasonable, but a little controversy is much more fun.  The choice is not easy, but this much we do know:  In games played amongst Rogers, Curtis, Roosevelt and Bellevue, the only team that has not lost is Roosevelt.  In games that the Committee is aware of,  Roosevelt has two wins over Bellevue and one win over Curtis.  Roosevelt does not appear to dominate any opponents but has an uncanny ability to hang around and hold on for the win.  This week it's good enough (barely) for the #2 ranking. Beware Roosevelt, the #2 ranking comes with a target and Bainbridge is just the type of team that could surprise the Roughriders this week.  The Committee has been tough on Curtis since the first weekly poll following the United Fall Tournament.  Curtis is the only team to lose games to each of the other top 5 teams.  However, it's not how you start but how you finish and last week's one point win over Rogers is proof enough that Curtis deserves at least the #3 spot this week.  Rogers was #2 last week, but the loss to Curtis has a price to pay and Rogers falls two places to #4.  Don't worry Rogers, the playoffs will soon be here and you can make your statement in the championship. Sorry Bellevue, blame scheduling but that leaves you at #5 falling one spot from last week.  Bellevue has a valid argument for #2, but so do the other teams.  If the Wolverines knock off Mercer Island this week,  the Committee will reserve their spot at #1 next week.  Auburn had two wins last week against ranked opponents and both games were tough battles.  The Trojans retain the #6 by subduing Auburn Mountainview in the 4th quarter and then surviving a defensive battle with Enumclaw in a come from behind one point victory.  Revenge was on Wilson's mind as they ventured to Covington Pool for their rematch with Kentridge.  The Rams ramped up their offense to secure a 16 to 10 victory which is good enough to keep their #7 ranking in this week's poll.  Enumclaw jumped out quickly to a five goal lead in their game against Stadium and that proved to be the difference.  A great defensive effort against Auburn fell short but the Hornets appear to have learned some lessons from the prior week and retain the #8 spot this week.  Newport stays at #9 by shutting out Shorewood last week.  This week's opponent will pose a bigger challenge as the Knights have the pleasure of meeting CPA.  A young Newport team has taken their knocks in league play against some of the best teams in state, but opponents should beware of the Knights come playoff time.  The future may be now for the Lions of Auburn Mountainview but they still have a tendency to display the attributes of their youth.  The Lions put forth a valiant effort for three quarters before fading against Auburn early in the week.  Then the Lions needed to come from behind to beat Auburn Riverside.  Auburn Mountainview remains at #10 for now, but Lakes is building their case for top ten recognition.

"Individual commitment to a group effort, that is what makes a team work."  Vince Lombardi

Key Match-ups this Week

October 26th

Mercer Island vs. Bellevue (KCAC)

Auburn Mountainview vs. Wilson  (Wilson)

Roosevelt vs. Bainbridge Island (KCAC)

October 28th

Kentridge vs. Curtis (Mt. Tahoma)

October 30th

Lakes vs. Wilson  (Wilson)

Last week's Poll Question

Best unranked team?

The choices were between Lakes, Bainbridge, Kentridge, and Emerald Ridge.  Out of 33 votes, the top choice was Lakes receiving  15,  followed by Bainbridge with 10.  Both good choices from the Committee's perspective.  These teams started the season relatively inexperienced and have steadily improved as the season has progressed gaining the respect of their recent opponents.  Interestingly enough, both teams have the opportunity to pull off  big upsets this week against ranked teams.

Stay tuned: Later in the week, the committee will announce selections for Impact Players in Washington.

Boys High School Rankings for Week of 10/18/2010

1. Mercer Island
2. Rogers
3. Roosevelt
4. Bellevue
5. Curtis
6. Auburn
7. Wilson
8. Enumclaw
9. Newport
10. Auburn Mountainview

The Islander Express is on track, on time, and going full speed ahead.  Mercer Island dominated Roosevelt last week leaving the Roughriders in complete disarray.  Next stop is the battle of the Island teams when Mercer Island takes on an improving Bainbridge Island.  Bellevue, what were you thinking?  The Committee rewards you with the #2 ranking and you then take on Roosevelt without your top gun.  The Roughriders may have been in shambles after their Mercer Island debacle, but they're still a formidable foe for everyone else.  The loss drops Bellevue out of the #2 spot down to #4.  Hey Rogers, welcome back to #2.  Impressive wins over Lakes and Peninsula returns the Rams to  #2.  Your previous stay at #2 was short lived.  Oh look, your much anticipated rematch with Curtis is this week.  Okay Roosevelt, a loss to Mercer Island is no big deal and a win over the previous #2 must count for something.  The Roughriders move up one place to #3.  Curtis was dominating in wins over Lakes, Emerald Ridge, and Enumclaw.  Normally a week like that would move you up in the polls, but not this time. Curtis remains at #5.  You want to move up? Let's see what your high powered offense can do this week.  To Auburn, Enumclaw and Wilson: You're driving the Committee  nuts,  but it makes for quite a bit of excitement.  Auburn ran the table this week against Emerald Ridge, Wilson, and Kentridge.  A Trojan goal in the closing moments against Wilson provides the lift they needed to move up two places to #6.  Wilson's stay at #6 was brief but they are only falling one spot to #7. Ahh, youth is a wonderful thing.  The Rams are proving to be exciting, dangerous and a just little inconsistent.  Enumclaw had a challenging week with three matches against ranked opponents.  The Committee understands a close call against Auburn Mountainview. Hey, who could blame the Hornets for looking past them when Curtis and Bellevue are also on the schedule?  It could have been their finest hour but Enumclaw is not quite yet ready for prime time.  Both Curtis and Bellevue cranked up their offense at the Hornet's expense dropping Enumclaw one spot to #8.  Time to regroup and use the experience to your benefit come playoff time. Newport, the Committee can't figure you out. Two weeks ago you take Roosevelt to the limit.  Then your beat Bainbridge by five goals only to lose to them one week later.  The Committee assumes you have learned your lesson and keeps you at #9 for now, but any more slip ups will have you saying bye bye to the top ten.  Finally we come to Auburn Mountainview.  The Lions impressed the Committee in their one point loss to Enumclaw, but then fell victim the very next day to Emerald Ridge.  The Lions' winning record is the only thing keeping them at #10 this week.  Bainbridge Island, Kentridge, and Emerald Ridge appear to be improving quickly.  But with losing records, these teams will need more than just one upset of a ranked opponent to crack the top ten.

"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."   John Wooden

Key Match-ups this Week

October 19th

Auburn Mountainview vs. Auburn (Auburn)

October 21st

Rogers vs. Curtis  (Rogers)

Auburn vs. Enumclaw  (Enumclaw)

Wilson vs. Kentridge  (Covington)

Last week's Poll Question

Week's best matchup?

The Wilson vs. Auburn matchup received the most votes at 13 and the Committee thinks the voters were right .  Nothing better than a game decided in the closing seconds of the game.  The Enumclaw vs. Curtis match received 10 votes, but the game did not live up to the anticipation.  Roosevelt vs. Bellevue received 8 votes and was an exciting game with a come from behind ending.

Boys High School Rankings for Week of 10/11/2010

1. Mercer Island
2. Bellevue
3. Rogers
4. Roosevelt
5. Curtis
6. Wilson
7. Enumclaw
8. Auburn
9. Newport
10. Auburn Mountainview

The planets appear to have returned to their proper alignment and the upsets of the prior week are just a fading memory.  Mercer Island put their loss to CPA behind them as they resumed rolling over league opponents.  Last week's victim was an inexperienced Shorewood team. Bellevue returned from a strong 2nd place showing at the Newberg Oregon Tournament and had the pleasure of meeting CPA who treated them to a 12 -7 defeat.  Don't worry Bellevue, you're still #2, but this weeks matchups with Roosevelt and Enumclaw will put your ranking to the test.  Rogers followed up their big win over Curtis with wins over Puyallup and Mark Morris.  Your #3 ranking is safe for now.  Roosevelt returned to action and needed a goal in the closing seconds to overcome an upset minded Newport.  The Roughriders grip on #4 remains tenuous. Let's see what you have this week against Mercer Island and Bellevue.  Curtis was still reeling form their heartbreak loss to Rogers when they ran into Wilson in Newberg losing to the Rams in overtime.  The #5 was up for grabs, but the Committee thinks you still deserve it for now.  Wilson's upset loss to Kentridge has lit a fire under them.  Not only did they bounce back with a win over Curtis, but they also scored strong victories over Auburn Mountainview and Enumclaw.  Wilson's impressive showing moves them up three spots to #6.  If Wilson moves up three places, then three other teams are moving down.  Enumclaw had wins over Auburn Riverside and Kentridge, but the loss to Wilson moves the Hornets down to #7.  Auburn slips to #8, despite impressive wins over Stadium and Puyallup.  A key showdown with Wilson this week will determine if the Trojans deserve a higher ranking.  Newport falls another spot to #9.  Hey, a 1 point loss to Roosevelt isn't bad, but you need some wins over ranked opponents if you want to move up the rankings.  Auburn Mountainview remains #10 splitting last week's games with a loss to Wilson and a win over Kentridge.  Mountainview's schedule gives them ample opportunity to knock off a higher ranked opponent. Stay tuned!

"Success isn't something that just happens - success is learned, success is practiced and then it is shared."    Sparky Anderson

Key Match-ups this Week

October 12th

Mercer Island vs. Roosevelt

Wilson vs. Auburn

October 14th

Bellevue vs. Roosevelt (King County Aquatic Center)

Enumclaw vs. Curtis (Mt. Tahoma)

October 16th

Bellevue vs. Enumclaw  (Enumclaw)

Last week's Poll Question:

Biggest Surprise Outcome? 
The outcomes of the games might have been a surprise, but the result of the poll was predictable. Out of 41 votes, the Kentridge over Wilson outcome received 20 votes and was the clear winner in our poll.  11 voters picked the Rogers over Curtis outcome, and 10 voters picked CPA over Mercer Island.  No one picked the Enumclaw over Auburn outcome as a surprise.  (I bet someone from Auburn had to be a least a little surprised.)

Boys High School Rankings for Week of 10/4/2010

1. Mercer Island
2. Bellevue
3. Rogers
4. Roosevelt
5. Curtis
6. Enumclaw
7. Auburn
8. Newport
9. Wilson
10. Auburn Mountainview

Picking the Top 10 is easy. It's ranking them in the right order that's difficult.

An apparent disturbance in the space-time continuum derailed Mercer Island's bid for an undefeated season. In a game that lived up to the hype, CPA overcame an early 4 - 0 deficit and methodically took the Islanders out of their game to secure a nail biting come from behind victory, 10 to 9.  The Islanders are still #1, but their weaknesses have been exposed.  Roosevelt, where are you?  There is some great water polo being played and the Committee can't reward inactivity, so the Roughriders vacate the #2 spot and fall to #4.  Bellevue takes over the #2 spot with a convincing 13 to 7 win over previously #5 ranked Newport which falls to #8.  Would the real Rogers Water Polo team please step forward?  A previous #2 in the inaugural rankings, Rogers had a disappointing showing in the Auburn Tournament and fell to #9.  Oops, my bad! Rogers came back last week with a vengeance, crushing Emerald Ridge and then displaying lock down defense in a 5 - 3 victory over powerhouse Curtis.  An impressive week shoots Rogers back up the poll to the #3 spot.  Curtis looked to be on a roll starting last week with a win over Mark Morris before running into Rogers. The loss drops the Vikings one spot to #5. Mark your calendar for the Rogers/Curtis rematch on 10/21.  The Enumclaw Hornets began the week with a solid win over Stadium and were seeking revenge against Auburn for a loss in the finals of the Auburn Tournament.  Oh revenge is sweet, especially in the form of a four overtime sudden death 9 - 8 victory.  All that excitement moves Enumclaw up two places to #6.  Auburn started the week at #7 and defeated #10 Auburn Mountainview before experiencing the sudden death defeat.  Hey, these things happen and the Committee thinks Auburn still deserves the #7 ranking.  With Newport's loss dropping them to #8, Wilson was in prime position to move up the rankings.  Someone forgot to tell league newcomer Kentridge who pulled off one of the seasons' big upsets over Wilson.  The loss drops the Rams down three places to #9.  Rounding out the top 10, Auburn Mountainview holds on by virtue of splitting last weeks matches with a loss to Auburn and a win over Auburn Riverside.  Yes Lakes, the Committee is watching you.  If you want into the top 10, you need to knock off somebody in the top 10.

To the boys of CPA:  Great win over Mercer Island. The Committee is looking forward to an equally exciting championship rematch.  Sorry though, you're still not eligible for the rankings (but if you were, you would be #1 this week).

"You have to expect things to happen before you can do them."  Michael Jordan

Key Match-Ups this Week

October 5th

Newport vs. Roosevelt

Wilson vs. Auburn Mountainview

October 7th

CPA vs. Bellevue

Wilson vs. Enumclaw

Last weeks Poll Question:

Which team should be ranked #2 ?  Roosevelt, Bellevue, Curtis, or Newport
Roosevelt was the popular choice for which team should be ranked #2.  A logical choice based on the fact that they have not lost to any of the other 3 teams in the poll and defeated both Bellevue and Curtis.  However, since their losses to Roosevelt, both Bellevue and Curtis have played a lot more games than Roosevelt and that experience is very valuable.  As a result, Bellevue was named #2 in this week's ranking.

Do you have an idea for a poll question?  Send an email to the H2O Polo Committee.