Five Big Nine Boys Basketball Teams Still Ranked

The Minnesota Basketball News latest rankings released Friday still include five Big Nine Conference teams. When the season began I was told by a number of people that the Big Nine would be down this year. I didn't agree or disagree because like the weather in Minnesota each season is unique. It's one of the things I love about sports.

In Class 4A Rochester John Marshall has been locked into the #9 spot for awhile. Owatonna is #17 and got another impressive win in the Big Nine last week, defeating Northfield. In Class 3A Austin is still #2 (their only loss was to Owatonna), Mankato East #4 and Northfield #5. Also from our area Waseca is ranked #12 in Class 3A.

The Hiawatha Valley League is down to two ranked teams. Lake City #7 and Byron #13 in Class 2A..

The South Suburban Conference arguably the best in the state has three teams in the top twenty in Class 4A. #3 Lakeville North, #5 Apple Valley and #18 Prior Lake.

The Gopher Conference has one team in the Class 2A rankings, #16 New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva.

Class 1A has no Section 1 teams in the top twenty which is interesting because Rushford-Peterson recently defeated #10 Class 2A St. Charles 71-56 and Friday night edged #3 Class 2A Caledonia 53-50. With just 5 losses (3 before Christmas) and a six game winning streak I think they would definitely be in my top twenty.

Below are the complete Minnesota Basketball News Top 20 rankings in each class.

Class 4A