3 local schools ranked in hoops poll

Published 4:44 pm Thursday, January 12, 2017

Tanner and Athens held steady in the latest Alabama Sports Writers Association high school basketball poll, released Thursday.

Tanner’s boys remained the top ranked team in Class 2A while West Limestone slid three spots to No. 8 in 4A. In the girls poll, Athens dropped one spot to No. 6 in 6A while Tanner moved up two spots to No. 4 in 2A.

The most surprising move was Athens dropping in the girls poll, despite beating new No. 1 team Hazel Green just three days ago. Hazel Green was previously ranked No. 2 and moved up to the top spot, despite losing its first game of the season at Athens Tuesday.

With a 19-2 record, Athens has the second most wins of any team in 6A with its only losses coming to Hazel Green earlier in the season and 4A No. 1 Deshler over Christmas. Athens and Hazel Green each have one area loss and if both teams win all their remaining area games, a coin toss will determine which will host the area championship.

Athens will try improve its area record when the Golden Eagles travel to Florence tonight.

Since the last ASWA basketball poll was released on Dec. 15, Tanner’s girls team has gone 8-1, with the only loss to 6A No. 2 Homewood. They are ranked fourth, just behind No. 3 Red Bay, a team the Rattlers could face at the Northwest Regional next month.

The Tanner boys remained the top team in Class 2A after going 7-2 over the past month with victories over Athens, West Limestone and Decatur Heritage. Tanner has a couple of big games this weekend, beginning tonight when the Rattlers try to avenge an early-season loss to Mars Hill.

On Saturday, Tanner will travel to Austin in a battle of top ranked teams.

After losing three straight games to 6A schools over Christmas break, West Limestone hosts Danville tonight.