Christmas Hoops Power Rankings

Boys

1. William Penn (9-0): Not only are the Bearcats undefeated, but they have played the toughest schedule so far of any YAIAA team. They have seemed to mature a great deal from last season and have showed plenty of poise to go along with their raw talent.

2. Eastern York (7-0): It seems like the Golden Knights are still riding the momentum of last season's run to the second round of the PIAA Class AAA tournament, getting major production from sophomores Austin Tillotson and Andrew Nicholas as well as Levi Myers and role players like Luke Barto, Dalton Derr and Ryan Yohe.

3. York Suburban (8-0): Another team that brought a ton of talent back from last season, the Trojans have been perfect so far, getting solid production all over the court, from the point (Ryan Kinard) to the wing (Mitch Kemp) to the post (Thomas McInerney). It's only a week and a half before the first of two showdowns between Eastern and Suburban and the winner of that game becomes to Division III frontrunner.

4. West York (4-0): The Bulldogs have played fewer games than most of the other area teams (at least according to our records), but they have been perfect so far, even though West York lost its top two scorers from last season in Dan Haverstock and Jordan Cable. If the Bulldogs can keep getting it done with defense, they should be in good shape.

5. Central York (6-2): After picking up on opening weekend loss and then falling by 25 points at William Penn, Tre Bowman and the Panthers stepped it up last week with an overtime victory over Red Lion. Considering Central finished under .500 last year, it has to be pleased with how the 2008-09 season is going so far.

6. Red Lion (6-1): The Lions stumbled last week in a loss to Central York, but have otherwise looked strong this season with the core of a group that won the Division I title last season.

7. New Oxford (4-4): The Colonials caught a tough break early on by drawing Red Lion, William Penn and West York during their first five league games. They lost all of those games, but if they can learn from them and use that experience later in the season, it will be worth it.

8. Delone Catholic (5-2): The Squires were blown out by Eastern York last week and has registered narrow victories over York Catholic and Hanover. Chris Hartmann doesn't look like the same players he was last season, but if he can turn things around, I imagine the rest of the squad will follow suit.

9. Biglerville (5-3): Among the Canners' victims so far is York Catholic and Biglerville seems to have established itself as the team to beat in Division IV.

10. Dover (4-5): The Eagles may be underwater right now, but after losing all five starters from last year's squad, this group has showed relative promise in the early part of the 2008-09 season, picking up victories over Spring Grove and South Western.

Girls

1. Northeastern (9-0): The Bobcats keep getting better, with Jess King showing strong perimeter defense and an impressive scoring prowess to complement twin sisters and leading scorers Amber and Autumn Lau. Northeastern has plowed through its competition so far and has show no signs of slowing down.

2. Red Lion (7-1): A traditional power, the Lions have reloaded as usual after losing its starting five from last season, still boasting an undefeated record in YAIAA play. As usual, Red Lion is getting it done with tenacious defense and a relentless aggression all over the court and remains one of the top teams in the league.

3. Delone Catholic (7-0): When you make the trip to Wrightsville and beat this year's group of Eastern York girls in their own gym, you get my attention. The Squires have plenty of talent, including Arielle Placke and Sierra Moore and have played well enough to suggest that the Division IV title won't come easily for reigning state champion York Catholic.

4. Eastern York (8-1): Tierney Hiltz, Kate Dellinger and the rest of the Golden Knights have looked good this season. They did lose at home to undefeated Delone, but have shined against every other opponent they have faced this season.

5. West York (6-2): They took down the mighty Fighting Irish in overtime, but could not handle the Golden Knights on Tuesday. Most of the starters on this team have two years of experience, and this might be the year they really cash in if they can find away to beat teams like Eastern and Delone.

6. York Catholic (4-2): The Fighting Irish should not be underestimated considering the quality if their players and coaches, but still have to prove that this year's group can come through against the best competition. York Catholic will have its chance soon enough, playing Delone Catholic and Eastern during the first week of the new year.

7. Kennard-Dale (6-2): Maybe the biggest surprise on the girls side, the Rams have come through with several victories early on, already matching their win total from last year's 6-17 campaign thanks to strong performances by Devon O'Kane and Natalie Greenholt, among others.

8. New Oxford (4-3): Expectations are relatively high for New Oxford with Julia Antonelli leading a group of key returners from last season, but the Colonials have been tripped up against tough competition early on, including Northeastern and Red Lion.

9. Spring Grove (5-3): Bringing back all five starters from last season has helped the Rockets early on, who have shown promise early on against Division I competition. Upcoming games against Northeastern and New Oxford will test Spring Grove.

10. York Suburban (5-3): The Trojans are another squad looking to improve from last year, when Suburban went 9-14 overall. Wins against Littlestown, Bermudian Springs and Fairfield have helped keep the Trojans above water despite facing West York, York Catholic and Delone Catholic so far this season.