The News-Gazette's girls' basketball Top 10: Tuscola stakes claim to No. 1 again
Jan. 12—One area girls' basketball team has shown for the past month-plus it is hard to beat. Tuscola returns to the No. 1 spot in our weekly rankings after the Warriors collected their 15th straight win on Thursday night. Sports Editor Matt Daniels shares more insight on the area poll:
1. Tuscola
Record: 19-1
Previous ranking: No. 1
What's working: Sydney Moss and her teammates took care of Clinton for the second time this season, running Tuscola's win streak to 15 straight games since a Nov. 27 loss at St. Joseph-Ogden. Coach Tim Kohlbecker's program could get to 20 wins as soon as Saturday, but they'll have to stop Altamont, led by Illinois State signee Grace Nelson, at 7 p.m. Saturday in the NTC/CIC Shootout in Altamont.
2. Watseka
Record: 17-1
Previous ranking: No. 2
What's working: Haven Meyer and the Warriors have treated their home fans to three straight victories in Iroquois County, with Thursday night's triumph against Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin the latest. Coach Barry Bauer's program hits the road to play at South Newton (Ind.) on Saturday before hosting former league rival Paxton-Buckley-Loda on Monday night.
3. Arcola
Record: 14-4
Previous ranking: No. 3
What's working: With the way Kacie Sisk is playing, watch out. The Purple Riders racked up their fourth consecutive win on Thursday night at home against Cumberland. Now, coach Corey Roberts' team will try to win the 12-team Lincoln Prairie Conference Tournament as the second seed, playing either Okaw Valley or Blue Ridge next Monday in the quarterfinals at Decatur Unity Christian.
4. Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley
Record: 13-4
Previous ranking: No. 4
What's working: A quality road win against Lexington on Monday night, featuring a 22-point performance from freshman Lily Sizemore, should give the Falcons confidence going into the McLean County/HOIC Tournament that starts Saturday at El Paso-Gridley. GCMS is the sixth seed in the 13-team tournament and opens against rival Fisher on Saturday evening.
5. Salt Fork
Record: 17-5
Previous ranking: No. 5
What's working: Alexa Jamison and Co. haven't lost in 2024, with coach Brian Russell's team collecting its eighth consecutive victory on Thursday night with a home win against Westville. The Storm will look to carry those good vibes into the Vermilion County Tournament that tips off Friday night at Mary Miller Gym on the Danville Area Community College campus. Salt Fork is the top seed and opens against Armstrong-Potomac at 8 p.m. Monday.
6. Cissna Park
Record: 14-6
Previous ranking: No. 6
What's working: Sparked by the consistent play of Addison Lucht, the Timbwolves snapped a two-game losing skid with a road win against Hoopeston Area on Thursday night in Vermilion Valley Conference play. Coach Anthony Videka's program has a quick turnaround when it hosts Chrisman on Friday night and then hits the road to play at Schlarman next Tuesday night in another VVC game.
7. Tri-County
Record: 15-6
Previous ranking: No. 8
What's working: After winning at Villa Grove on Thursday night, Josie Armstrong and the Titans turn their attention to the Lincoln Prairie Conference Tournament. Tri-County is the third seed in the 12-team event and will meet either sixth seed Cumberland or 11th seed Villa Grove at 5 p.m. Monday in a quarterfinal game at Decatur Unity Christian.
8. Unity
Record: 13-8
Previous ranking: No. 10
What's working: The Rockets gave Tuscola a game last Thursday night, only losing 45-39. Raegen Stringer and pals have picked up two wins since then, the latest happening Thursday night at home against Rantoul. A chance to win a third straight for coach Dave Ellars' team will come against a quality Bloomington Central Catholic squad next Monday night at the Rocket Center in Tolono.
9. Clinton
Record: 11-9
Previous ranking: Not ranked
What's working: Clara Dempsey and the Maroons couldn't stretch their win streak to three games with a victory against state-ranked Tuscola on Thursday night. Still, coach Josh Williams' program has had quality wins against Tri-Valley and Neoga, among others, this season and seven of their nine losses are by single digits. Next up: Mt. Pulaski on Monday.
10. LeRoy
Record: 14-7
Previous ranking: No. 7
What's working: A three-game losing streak for Molly Buckles and her teammates ended Thursday night with a home victory against Fisher. Coach Chris Houser's team is the fifth seed in the McLean County/HOIC Tournament and starts its attempt to reach the title game at the Shirk Center in Bloomington on Jan. 20 this Saturday. The Panthers will travel to El Paso-Gridely and play Heyworth at 2:30 p.m. in a first-round game.
