MANSFIELD, TX: Week 8 Power Rankings

The last week of the regular season tips off next Tuesday, and team seed rankings aren't exactly a 100% indicator of power as it has seemed to shift a bit as we get ready for the playoffs.

#1

When 4 Brothers show up with their main 5, they cause problems, lots of them. Their chemistry gets better with each game and they look very comfortable playing with each other. Justin Tatum has really played well shooting over 60% from the field, and he is the go-to-guy who is able to create plays and get to the basket and score for his team when they need him. Rich Gant is also becoming more of a presence in the paint, getting more boards and executing on mid range jumpers.

#2

Hoop Squad's streak was ended by 4 Brothers in Week 7 in what looked like their worst game of the season (They lost by 5). They started off being down 0-12 and had to play catch up for pretty much the entire game. What happened? Well...they just didn't look ready. But the squad is still strong, and one key highlight that many may not have noticed was the effort put up by Marcus Jones in this game. Normally quiet offensively, he put up 12 points and 14 rebounds and had a huge impact on the team's confidence. They are 4th out 5 in points allowed (76.7) Tweak up on the defensive end and I believe they will soar at the top, and stay there.

#3

We can't have 2 teams tied when it comes to power rankings, or can we? Well considering Hoop Squad's recent streak of 4 wins and their level of play, we give them the tie breaker, but Heavy Hitters is a team you could count out, but it would be foolish to do so. Their not-so-secret weapon (because he is easily noticed on the court for his outstanding play) is Paul Smith who dominates every major stat category for his team. Of course he has help, but I must say that that is mighty impressive. With help from shooter and slasher Deitrich Williams they look solid, but struggle with player accountability. If they find consistency with this going down the road then we will see some great battles.

#4

We Get Buckets look to break even next week to finish out the regular season, but I am hearing rumors that Avery and Jeremy Garcia have departed for college, so this could really hurt them as a unit. If this is same fate for their main scorer Ryan Allen then I'm not sure what the future may hold for them. If this is the case, they will need even more production from Shey Holman who is averaging almost 20 points a game, and more offense from Tony Jones who is more of a rebounding presence.

#5

They "eeked" by with a win last week against We Get Buckets, but what looked like a promising road ahead of them may turn rugged with the recent departures of Domonique Moreland and Patrick Hunt going back to college. This takes them down a hefty notch in quickness and aggressiveness, and oh yeah, scoring, as they were 2nd in points scored. With it being the end of the season it may be hard to recover and find replacements.

Leonard Frank
Ultimate Hoops Coordinator - Mansfield
lfrank@lifetimefitness.com