With the holiday season almost upon us basketball teams around the state try and get in a few more games this week before the break. As the season is rolling along the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association has released its new set of rankings here on December 17th.

After 20 area teams were ranked last week in the polls, this week that total has moved back down to 17 area teams ranked in the polls with 11 of those being girls squads and the other six on the boys side.

On the girls side almost every class from 4A and under has at least two area teams ranked, except 1A-Division I which only has one area team ranked.

Class 4A, continues to feature two Big Seven League squads in the top 10 as they both are in the top five. For the Lady Wildcats of Holton since a season opening loss, they have won four straight games to be 4-1 on the year and have won 101 straight Big Seven League contests with their last two wins. They area joined by Santa Fe Trail, as the Lady Chargers are a perfect 4-0 on the season and look to be a top contender with Holton in the Big Seven this year.

In Class 3A, the Lady Tigers remain unbeaten with a 5-0 record as they dispatched Rossville in their last contest. Tigers have used a balanced scoring attack this season to their fast start on the court. Also, in the top 10 are the Lady Bluejays of Sabetha as they remained at number 10 this week after a 1-1 week of action beating Nemaha Valley and falling to Santa Fe Trail. Bluejays are 4-1 now on the season after their first loss of the season.

Class 2A, has Washington County still top the peak at number one as they remain unbeaten at 6-0 with a close win over Wetmore most recently that the Lady Tigers had to get a 16-2 fourth quarter to beat Wetmore. A pair of Delaware Valley League teams in Doniphan West and Valley Falls jumped into the poles this week at number eight and ten in the polls. The Lady Mustangs are 5-1 taking down Jackson Heights and Immaculata for a 2-0 week this past week. The Lady Dragons like Doniphan West only have one loss, as they are 4-1 beating KC Christian most recently.

In Class 1A-Division I, the Valley Heights Lady Mustangs continue to have success on the hardwood as they are a young squad lead by a pair of sophomore and a freshman who are scoring double figures on a consistent basis, propelling them to a 4-1 record.

Three, Twin Valley League teams continue to be ranked in Class 1A-Division II as Baileyville-B&B, Wetmore and Frankfort check in at fourth, fifth and ninth this week. B&B Lady Falcons are off to a 6-1 start this season and after loss to Washington County they responded with wins over St. Mary's and Axtell. For Wetmore, the Lady Cardinals are 3-2 on the season with their loss to ranked B&B and Washington County. The Lady Wildcats are off to a great start this season with a 4-1 record, winning with a game winning basket over Rossville last week and beating Hanover, as well.

On the boys side on six area teams are in the rankings this week and we start in Class 3A, were the Nemaha Valley Raiders continue to remain unbeaten with a perfect 5-0 record. Raiders captured Big Seven League wins over Sabetha and Perry Lecompton in their last two games. ACCHS boys continue to be ranked after a perfect start to the season with a 5-0 record.

In Class 2A, another area team that remains unbeaten finds themselves in the rankings as the Onaga Buffalos rank seventh in the latest polls after a 6-0 start to the year behind a balanced scoring attack from seniors and sophomores.

In 1A-Division II, a pair of TVL teams remain ranked as the the Valley Heights Mustangs and Centralia Panthers both went 1-1 this past week in their competition. The Mustangs are off to a 4-1 start this season, while Centralia is 2-2 on the year. In 1A-Division II only one team remained ranked this week as Baileyville-B&B moved up in the polls to number four after opening the season 6-1, winning their last five games straight.

Full latest KBCA rankings released on Dec. 17th (click here)