by Charlie McDonald (charlie.mcdonald@surewestsports.com)
By Mike Finnerty (mike.finnerty@surewestsports.com)
Our SureWest Sports basketball rankings are out for this week, and again its the Jesuit Marauders holding the top spot for the boys, but should the Sheldon Huskies be No. 1?
Sheldon is the defending back-to-back Division I champion, including a win over Jesuit last year, but in the only way to measure these two teams to this point in the season is how each team has fared against like opponents.
Jesuit has a 13-point win over Strake Jesuit of Houston, Texas (68-55), and a 10-point win over Bishop O'Dowd (74-64). When Sheldon took on these same two teams they lost by 14 to Strake Jesuit (87-73), and beat Bishop O'Dowd by eight (73-65). Advantage Jesuit.
Another difference in this year's version of the Marauders and Huskies is that the Marauders are the senior-heavy group whereas the Huskies are more junior-heavy. However, when you have two teams this talented, youth is not an issue because the core players on both teams have played in big games, won big games, played in section championships, and NorCal playoffs.
The best part about the debate is that it can be settled on the court with Sheldon playing at Jesuit on January 13.
One last note, when all is said and done, the team that could be in the middle of this discussion is Pleasant Grove. Stay tuned.
Boys rankings
1. Jesuit
2. Sheldon
3. Sac High
4. Pleasant Grove
5. Antelope
6. Burbank
7. Franklin
8. Granite Bay
9. Bella Vista
10. Del Campo
11. Center
12. Foothill
13. Del Oro
14. Oak Ridge
15. Kennedy