It would be tough to argue against the Central York boys' tennis team being No. 1 in these rankings, especially after the way the Panthers dominated the District 3 Class AAA tournament and easily won their second straight title.
Not only did they take down the top teams from the Mid-Penn and Lancaster-Lebanon leagues, they did it without losing a single match. Nobody came remotely close to beating them. So yeah, they're at the top again this week.
The Northeastern volleyball team (shown above celebrating victory over Central York) moves up, as does the Susquehannock softball team and the Northeastern baseball team to round out the top six. Fresh off its YAIAA championship victory, the Dallastown girls' soccer team makes its first appearance in the rankings.
Full rankings and rationale after the jump. The comments section awaits your input.
1. Central York boys' tennis (13-0): The toughest challenge of all comes on Tuesday, when the Panthers will take on a team from District 1 in the first round of the state playoffs. Last season, Central York couldn't get past the opening round. They have more experience and have improved from last year, but it will still be a tough task for the Panthers.
2. Central York softball (16-1): The Panthers keep winning and come into Monday's semifinals of the YAIAA tournament as the favorite to win the title and carry momentum into districts.
3. Red Lion boys' lacrosse (16-0): Still undefeated and still playing well heading into the postseason. Red Lion is the No. 2 seed in that tournament, but didn't exactly draw the ideal first-round opponent in Penn Manor. The Lions still has a good chance of contending for the title if they play the way they've played all year.
4. Northeastern boys' volleyball (12-2): The Bobcats beat every league opponets they played this season, and did it in dominant fashion. They won 33 of the 36 games they played. Of course, Central came extremely close to earning the win on Thursday and will be a tough opponent again should the two teams meet in the YAIAA tournament title game.
5. Susquehannock softball (13-2): The Warriors are the two-time defending state champions in Class AAA, but can no longer be considered even the best team in the league with Central handing the Warriors a defeat earlier this season. Susquehannock will have a chance to redeem itself if the two teams meet in the league tournament.
6. Northeastern baseball (15-3): The Bobcats are the hottest YAIAA baseball team at the moment, winning eight straight games and looking like a squad that can play with the best in District 3.
7. Susquehannock boys' lacrosse (13-1): Receiving the No. 3 seed in the district tournament, the Warriors will have an opportunity to show how strong they are against teams from around the region.
8. Kennard-Dale girls' lacrosse (13-3): Don't be surprised if the Rams pick up a couple of district wins and earn themselves a trip to the state tournament. They have played a tough schedule that should prepare them well for postseason play.
9. Dallastown girls' soccer (17-3-1): Against the YAIAA's best this week, the Wildcats didn't allow a single goal in three tournament games en route to a title. Now they just have to clear the next hurdle -- winning a district tournament game.
10. Central York boys' volleyball (9-4): It's never good to go into the postseason on a two-game losing streak. Nonetheless, the Panthers played well in a losing effort against talented Northeastern and it wouldn't surprise me much if Central recovers well enough to win the league tournament, although I still consider the Bobcats the favorite.
sorry- but I still do not get these rankings! it must be really difficult to have so many different sports at the same time. I do not understand why they ALL must be grouped together. you are making this more than it needs to be.
football and basketball- simple- baseball and softball should be the same.
Soccer, volleyball and lacrosse are team sports that deserve their own classifications and standout players.
what I totally disagree with is your lack of Track and Field competitions and competitors in these rankings.
I am aware of some of the most prominent fall sports stand-outs, performing and strengthening themselves through
this "unrated" sport. (because it was to difficult to include?)- maybe so, but the analysis of individuals verses team-? then WHY include Tennis? is that not 1 or 2? track is way more a team event- and beyond individuals/pairs.
at the very least, could you have a separate ranking?