It's tough to say what the Northern Nevada boys' basketball season will really hold over the next few months.
I'm trying really hard to be as unbiased and placidly analytical as I canabout this year's Douglas squad.
That being said, they are among the funnest teams to watch that I've been able to cover in any sport over the seven years I've been doing this job.
They get up and down the floor, their ball movement (and accompanying unselfishness) is unlike any high school team I've seen and they really get after you on defense.
I felt heading in, considering the returning cast and the talented newcomers, they were probably the top team in the region.
Three weeks into the season, the RGJ has come to agree, ranking them No. 1 in their power rankings.
Obviously, a lot can happen that could change that. Within the first week of the real league season (January starts and things kick into high gear for everyone) we'll know how the Tigers really stack up after hosting McQueen and travelling to Manogue.
Manogue has been the sticking point in my mind. I haven't seen the Miners play, but the scores coming across haven't been that much different from the Tigers.
Defensively, I don't think Manogue will see anyone like the Tigers this season, at least in league play. Offensively, it's tough to say the Tigers will see anyone like Manogue.
Over the weekend, though, Manogue took on the highly-touted Findlay Prep Academy, a literal factory of top basketball players nationally who attend the school with the distinct purpose of being recruited for the next level.
Final score? Findlay, currently No. 4 nationally, 93, Manogue 75.
First of all, there's nothing to be ashamed of in an 18-point loss to one of the best teams in the country.
Second, while you never want to give up 93 points in a game, Manogue falls into the 50 percent of Findlay's opponents that have been able to hold the Pilots under the century mark. And let's not forget, Findlay plays an exceptionally grueling schedule - Just two days prior, they'd ended national powerhouse Yates' (Texas) 66-game win streak in Texas.
And finally, Manogue managed more points than 12 of Findlay's first 17 opponents, including Yates.
So the Jan. 7 matchup at Manogue between the two Northern 4A frontrunners just got a little more interesting (as thought it didn't have enough intrigue already).
All of that being said, here is the winter season's first installment of the R-C Power Rankings:
Boys' Basketball
1. Manogue (Record: 4-2 overall. Last week: beat Galena 67-37, beat Damonte Ranch 85-65, lost to Findlay Prep 93-75. Previous Ranking : -)
Why they should be No. 1: They're the defending Northern 4A champs and they haven't done anything (at least locally) to suggest they can't repeat.
2. Douglas (Record: 7-0 overall. Last week: beat Wooster 64-27, beat Spring Creek 82-24. Previous ranking: -.)
Why they should be ranked higher: All they've done is win - by a large margin. It's tough to point out a distinct weakness in the team and when it comes to comparing Manogue and Douglas, there just isn't a lot of common ground thus far in the season. Manogue gets the nod due to tougher schedule to this point.
3. Hug (Record 5-1 overall. Last week: beat McQueen 65-51, beat Laguna Creek 61-59. Previous Ranking: -.)
Why they should be ranked higher: The going book on the Hawks is that if they can control the tempo, they'll be very tough to beat. Down the stretch, tempo and momentum can be a team's best friend. If Hug gets hot at the right time, there's no reason to say they can't win the regional title.
4. McQueen (Record 5-3 overall. Last Week: lost to Hug 65-51, beat Spanish Springs 67-56. Previous Ranking: -.)
Why they should be ranked higher: The Lancers still haven't been at full strength long enough to have gelled on the floor. When they get running on all cylinders, they should be pretty tough. Look for a semi-late charge from the Lancers.
5. Reno (Record: 4-4 overall. Last Week: Beat North Valleys 63-45, beat Carson 56-53, OT. Previous Ranking: -.)
Why they should be ranked higher: The Huskies are spotless in league play after a narrow escape at home against Carson. After running a gauntlet of tough tournaments, the Huskies should be primed for a strong run through the remaining Northern 4A schedule.
GIRLS
1. Reed
Why they should be No. 1: It's been all Reed and Reno the last three years, but Reed seems to be stacking up with the better overall roster so far in the young season.
2. Reno
Why they should be ranked higher: Reno has been nearly untouchable over the past two seasons and only slightly less superb in the three or four seasons leading up to that.
3. Manogue
Why they should be ranked higher: Outside of their impressive 11-1 start, they probably shouldn't be any higher than 3. It's going to take a win over won of the power programs for anyone to vault into the top two this season.
4. Galena
Why they should be ranked higher: They stumbled against Manogue last week, but Galena is a team that only gets better as the season progresses. I wouldn't pick
5. Carson
Why they should be ranked higher: The Senators only two in-state losses so far are to Reed and Reno. That's not a bad resume. There's nothing Manogue or Galena do that Carson can't adjust to. They're well coached and could make a big move upward with a solid January.
- Through seven games, no team has gotten within 17 points of the Douglas boys' basketball team.
- The latest the Tigers have trailed in a game this season is 7:45 into the first quarter at North Valleys.
- Douglas has not been held to less than 62 points in a game so far.
