TriStateFans Boys Top 10 Illinois Teams For Week Ending Jan. 17, You Decide

[PhotoGuy]

I will start, and cheat like a dirty dog and only give you my top three. I am from Missouri, so what do I know about Illinois basketball, right?

1) QND
2) Macomb
3) Pittsfield

My reasoning....

QND is easy, they are the best team in the area, and have beaten both the other schools head to head at their houses... Macomb decisively and Pittsfield in a nail biter. Macomb gets my number 2 slot, even though personally I think Pittsfield is a bit better team... but Macomb won the head-to-head with the Saukees so that makes em number 2 in my book. Pittsfield is number 3, they have the fewest losses of the top group, but they haven't played nearly the level of competition that QND and Macomb has and they have lost close head to head match ups to the other schools (by a combined total of 3 points).

The rest I leave up to you Illinois folks who, unlike me, actually know what you are talking about.

Lets see your top 10's for this week, and please tell us why you are placing them in the order that you are.

[Titanfan89]

I would go a little something like this:

1. QND (don't know if any area team can beat them)
2. Pittsfield (impressive showing against QND, schedule gets tougher)
3. Macomb (gearing up for postseason after holiday tournament improvement)
4. Illini West (basing this on them coming to play every night, best ball still ahead of them)
5. Camp Point Central (best 1A team in the area)
6. West Hancock (defense is good, struggling on offense right now but only losses are to CPC and Illini Central)
7. Southeastern (one word, Bruenger, huge win over IW this week)
8. Payson
9. Liberty
10. Brown County

[fanofthegame]

1. QND- impressive body of work but still a lot of room to improve.
2. Pittsfield- yes, lost to macomb, but in a tourney where macomb always seems to play their best ball and they only lost by 1. In a rematch, in Pittsfield or on a nuetral court, I'd take the saukees.
3. Macomb- I think clearly in the top 3
4. Camp Point- I believe only 2 losses, to QND and Pittsfield both on the road.
5. WH- Not as strong athletically as in past years, but on any given night Reno Pinkston could beat anyone
6. IW- Seems like they have showed their potential in some games, but also have layed a few eggs. Ill move them up the list when I see more consistency.
7. Southeastern
8. Payson
9. Liberty
10. Brown County

I stole my 8-10 from titanfan because after southeastern, I'm really not sure. I haven't seen enough of the other teams to really make a good judgement.

[Titanfan89]

Payson just beat BC last night and will play Liberty for the Winchester title. That is kind of where I drew my lines.

[radiowaves]

1. QND (don't know if any area team can beat them) I too think they are number one but yes, there is a Santa Claus and they can be beaten by Pittsfield or Macomb
2. Pittsfield (impressive showing against QND, schedule gets tougher )I know they lost to Macomb and the Bombers should be here but Saukees are a bit better in my opinion
3. Macomb (gearing up for postseason after holiday tournament improvement) with Roberts playing more, this team is going to be tough in post season at home.
4. Camp Point Central (best 1A team in the area) This team is much better than the one who lost to Pittsfield at voshall by ten, Plattner is going to make a run and it may take them to the Bowl for a super.
5. West Hancock (defense is good, struggling on offense right now but only losses are to CPC and Illini Central) this team scares me when they get hot from 3 land. They played well after game one at Macomb and then they do have Reno.
6. Payson, if this team can win the WIT over Carrollton or West Central, oh yes, they have to beat Liberty in the semi's, they could move up in this poll past all but top four. Deep and when they let out be the leader, they are something to behold. Watch out for the Indians.
7. Southeastern (one word, Bruenger, huge win over IW this week) Must have more than one player but love the coach and think the team keeps beating teams some think are better!!!
8. Brown County-two basketball players and a bunch of guys who would run through a wall for their coach and team. They are a headache to play against.
9. IW, still need to see them play the game they are projected to be able to play, like their coach, think he got there two years late to really make them special. Good football school with something to do in the winter until they show more.
10. West Central & Carrollton-too far away for some of you but the troubel makers in our area to mess up this list at any time. And WC will be with Liberty at the top next year with all the youngsters. l

[Titanfan89]

Oops, I guess Payson is playing Liberty in the semi-finals of the Winchester tournament, not the finals.

[bballjunkie1]

1. QND (don't know if any area team can beat them) They can be beat, but it will take a heck of a game. I think WH could play with them if they shoot well. And we know Reno will have a good game plan.
2. Pittsfield (impressive showing against QND, schedule gets tougher) I agree with Pfield over Macomb as many have said
3. Macomb (gearing up for postseason after holiday tournament improvement) I am not sold this team is better than CP, IW, PField or WH on a nuetral floor. But I will keep them 3 for now.
4. Camp Point Central (best 1A team in the area) Agreed, but the regional is no cupcake. If they can win Sat and somehow beat Payson Tues at Payson, probably lock up the 1 seed.
5. West Hancock (defense is good, struggling on offense right now but only losses are to CPC and Illini Central) Rugged team, that is always ready. If they shoot well, they could beat anyone.
6. Payson Very scary team. But they are hot and cold. If they win the Winchester Tourny then beat CP on Tues they could get the 1 seed.
7. Southeastern (one word, Bruenger, huge win over IW this week) He is a wrecking ball, 3 loses are to CP and 2 to WH. I believe all close.
8. Illini West (basing this on them coming to play every night, best ball still ahead of them) Another team that could beat anyone, and lose to almost anyone.
9. Liberty-Tought hard nosed team. Classic Kasp team. Another team that if they beat Payson they could move up their seed for Regionals
10. BC-Loss last night probably drops them to a 4 seed in regionals. very well coached.

Radiowaves, I think next year will be a very good year for the area. Payson brings back a slew of jrs, Liberty does, BC has a good group of jrs and sophs, CP only loses 3 players who get minutes, WC will be a load. I think next year could be a load for the area in talent. Winchester Tourny could have 5 teams that could be getting votes in state.

[oldviking]

I would go a little something like this:

1. QND (don't know if any area team can beat them)
2. Pittsfield (impressive showing against QND, schedule gets tougher)
3. Macomb (gearing up for postseason after holiday tournament improvement)
4. Illini West (basing this on them coming to play every night, best ball still ahead of them)
5. Camp Point Central (best 1A team in the area)
6. West Hancock (defense is good, struggling on offense right now but only losses are to CPC and Illini Central)
7. Southeastern (one word, Bruenger, huge win over IW this week)
8. Payson
9. Liberty
10. Brown County I agree with all of these

[CHUCK26]

Here's my list:

1.) QND - They have played the toughest schedule in the area. I like this team, they have great depth and play pretty good defense. Free throw shooting seems to be an area that they need to improve in if they are going to become an elite team.

2.) Pittsfield - 3 points away from being number 1 on this list. The Saukees need to learn how to put teams away early (see 11 point lead on Macomb and 9 point lead on QND). They also need to get a third scorer who can put in 10-12 points consistently.

3.) Macomb - The Roberts kid is back and this team may finally be healthy. They lack a solid big man, but their guard play is exceptional. They will be tough to beat at home in the regional.

4.) Camp Point Central - As mentioned, only 2 losses are to Pittsfield and QND. This team just keeps improving. They are well coached, have good size and play really good defense. They will be a ton for any team in 1A.

5.) West Hancock - They have kids that can shoot...they just aren't hitting shots consistently right now. However, defense never goes cold and the Titans play the D every single night. Reno and Co. are well on their way to another 20 win season.

6.) IW - J Schmud, D Schmud, insert letter Schmud, those kids are everywhere. Carson is a good point guard, but they lack another guard that plays well on a regular basis. They have a deep bench and an elite post player. They need to improve defensively to beat the really good teams in the area.

7.) Payson - Stout needs to be the focus of this team. He is a kid that can score 20 points every night. The Terwelp kid is a good number 2 scorer and Aaron Edwards is a special sophomore. I still think they need to be a tad less liberal on their substituting.

8.(tie) BC - Wilson is a great scorer....sometimes. They have no true big man as Goudschall is only 6'2". Hendricks, Chaney, and Dewitt are all good role players. They just find a way to compete with whoever they are up against every night. They could be dangerous in the postseason.

8.(tie) Liberty - They have two elite scorers in the paint in Murfin and Barry. However, they are still looking for the right guard combination and its getting late in the season for trying to find ball handlers. I think Francis is a kid that could play the point, but they need him to score as well. If that guard emerges, this team becomes very tough.

10.) Southeastern - Bruenger is a ton. Grosnic has emerged as a good player as well. They always compete and find ways to win. If someone can slow down Bruenger (good luck) this team becomes very beatable IMO.

[bballbball]

Here's my list:

1.) QND - They have played the toughest schedule in the area. I like this team, they have great depth and play pretty good defense. Free throw shooting seems to be an area that they need to improve in if they are going to become an elite team.

2.) Pittsfield - 3 points away from being number 1 on this list. The Saukees need to learn how to put teams away early (see 11 point lead on Macomb and 9 point lead on QND). They also need to get a third scorer who can put in 10-12 points consistently.

3.) Macomb - The Roberts kid is back and this team may finally be healthy. They lack a solid big man, but their guard play is exceptional. They will be tough to beat at home in the regional.

4.) Camp Point Central - As mentioned, only 2 losses are to Pittsfield and QND. This team just keeps improving. They are well coached, have good size and play really good defense. They will be a ton for any team in 1A.

5.) West Hancock - They have kids that can shoot...they just aren't hitting shots consistently right now. However, defense never goes cold and the Titans play the D every single night. Reno and Co. are well on their way to another 20 win season.

6.) IW - J Schmud, D Schmud, insert letter Schmud, those kids are everywhere. Carson is a good point guard, but they lack another guard that plays well on a regular basis. They have a deep bench and an elite post player. They need to improve defensively to beat the really good teams in the area.

7.) Payson - Stout needs to be the focus of this team. He is a kid that can score 20 points every night. The Terwelp kid is a good number 2 scorer and Aaron Edwards is a special sophomore. I still think they need to be a tad less liberal on their substituting.

8.(tie) BC - Wilson is a great scorer....sometimes. They have no true big man as Goudschall is only 6'2". Hendricks, Chaney, and Dewitt are all good role players. They just find a way to compete with whoever they are up against every night. They could be dangerous in the postseason.

8.(tie) Liberty - They have two elite scorers in the paint in Murfin and Barry. However, they are still looking for the right guard combination and its getting late in the season for trying to find ball handlers. I think Francis is a kid that could play the point, but they need him to score as well. If that guard emerges, this team becomes very tough.

10.) Southeastern - Bruenger is a ton. Grosnic has emerged as a good player as well. They always compete and find ways to win. If someone can slow down Bruenger (good luck) this team becomes very beatable IMO.

I agree with all of these. QND is obviously in the 1 spot but they are indeed beatable. This Pittsfield team reminds me of the 04 team, which also had two good players in wombles and yelliot but lacking a 3rd scorer may hurt them in the long run. The post season should be interesting

[bballjunkie1]

Who are PFields two scorers? I know Hamilton and then i am assuming cawthon. I really think they need Cawthon to be more consistant. But that is not easy when you are the primary ballhandler and top defender. Wassel had 15 last night, you get double digits from him I think they win their regional.. What pfield needs is the other guys to hit the open shot when it is presented. Hamilton draws enought attention that the other guys will get open looks.

[CHUCK26]

Nope...Wassell has been way more constitant than Cawthon. He is the kid they need to be at the next level. Kattleman could fill this role, but Cawthon is the guy they're still trying to make be that third scorer. Or, if they could get 5-8 points every game from Hoover, Cawthon, and Kattleman, that could act as a third scorer type situation.