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1/31

JACKSON, MI – There won’t be much shuffling or rotation in the rankings this week.

It turns out, most of the teams that we thought were headed to conference-title contention have proved their worth in recent weeks. The top six teams in the Jackson-area power rankings took care of business last week, while a few teams just inside the top 10 dropped difficult matchups.

Here’s a look at the latest edition of the Jackson-area girls basketball power rankings for the week of Jan. 13.

HONORABLE MENTION

Lumen Christi (3-2, 2-1 Interstate 8)

Last week: No. 7

The Titans dropped a pair of rivalry matchups with Jackson (50-39) and Jackson Northwest (59-30) last week to fall from the ranks of the unbeaten. This week, they’ll try and bounce back with games against Marshall and Battle Creek Harper Creek in Interstate 8 Conference action.

Up next: at Marshall (3-5, 2-1 Interstate 8) on Jan. 14; vs. Battle Creek Harper Creek (5-2, 2-1 Interstate 8) on Jan. 17.

10. Jackson (3-2, 1-1 SEC White)

Last week: Unranked

The Vikings scored a 50-39 win over Lumen Christi last week to get back over .500 on the season, but they’ll face a pair of difficult road matchups this week at Dexter and Tecumseh. If Jackson can knock off the Dreadnaughts and the Indians, they’ll climb right back into the league race and move up in next week’s power poll as well.

Up next: at Dexter (5-1, 3-0 SEC White) on Jan. 14; at Tecumseh (6-1, 2-0 SEC White) on Jan. 17.

9. Leslie (4-3, 3-0 GLAC)

Last week: No. 10

The Blackhawks improved to 3-0 in conference play with wins over Perry (51-30) and Lansing Christian (41-24) last week. They’ll have a chance to take sole possession of first place in the Greater Lansing Activities Conference on Friday, as they travel to Stockbridge.

Up next: vs. Dansville (3-4) on Jan. 14; at Stockbridge (6-2, 2-0 GLAC) on Jan. 17.

8. Stockbridge (6-2, 2-0 GLAC)

Last week: No. 9

The Panthers had no issues with Concord (55-23) or Olivet (61-39) last week, as they kept themselves atop the Greater Lansing Activities Conference standings. They’ll host Leslie in a marquee league showdown Friday in what could go a long way in determining the outcome of the conference title race.

Up next: vs. Lansing Christian (2-4, 1-1 GLAC) on Jan. 14; vs. Leslie (4-3, 3-0 GLAC) on Jan. 17.

7. Jonesville (5-1, 2-0 Big 8)

Last week: No. 8

The Comets held off Reading for a 45-40 Big 8 Conference win last week and should be favorites against Union City and Concord this week. If they can keep their winning steak alive, Jonesville could set themselves up as league contenders before they travel to Quincy and Bronson at the end of the month.

Up next: at Union City (1-5, 0-3 Big 8) on Jan. 14; vs. Concord (2-5, 1-2 Big 8) on Jan. 17.

6. Jackson Northwest (6-1, 2-1 Interstate 8)

Last week: No. 6

The Mounties started 2020 on a positive note with wins over Eaton Rapids (47-37) and Lumen Christi (59-30) and have a chance to get a put together a winning streak before their Jan. 31 rematch with Parma Western at home. If Northwest can find some consistency, they have the potential to be one of the best teams in the area by the end of the season.

Up next: at Coldwater (3-5, 2-1 Interstate 8) on Jan. 14; vs. Hastings (0-7, 0-3 Interstate 8) on Jan. 17.

5. Brooklyn Columbia Central (7-1, 5-0 LCAA)

Last week: No. 5

The Golden Eagles extended their win streak to seven games with critical home wins over Ida (44-36) and Blissfield (50-46) and added an impressive 56-27 win over Adrian on Monday. They’ll travel to Erie Mason tonight and host Hudson on Friday.

Up next: at Erie Mason (7-2, 3-2 LCAA) on Jan. 14; vs. Hudson (0-7, 0-3 LCAA) on Jan. 17.

4. Michigan Center (5-3, 3-1 Cascades)

Last week: No. 4

The Cardinals took out their frustrations last week after a brutal non-conference schedule in December. They recorded wins over Manchester (65-20) and Napoleon (72-17) to get back over .500 and surge back into the Cascades Conference race. They’ll be favored against Hanover-Horton and East Jackson this week before a non-conference showdown with Springport on Jan. 22.

Up next: vs. Hanover-Horton (3-4, 2-2 Cascades) on Jan. 15; at East Jackson (5-3, 3-1 Cascades) on Jan. 17.

3. Springport (6-1, 3-0 Big 8)

Last week: No. 3

The Spartans dispatched Quincy (49-29) in their first game of the 2020 calendar year and will host Homer and Bronson this week in Big 8 Conference action. If Springport can take care of business at home this week, they’ll create some separation in the league standings and have plenty of momentum heading into their road trip to Michigan Center on Jan. 22.

Up next: vs. Homer (3-5, 1-2 Big 8) on Jan. 14; vs. Bronson (4-2, 3-0 Big 8) on Jan. 17.

2. Parma Western (7-1, 3-0 Interstate 8)

Last week: No. 2

The Panthers rolled past Adrian (54-34) and picked up an Interstate 8 Conference road win over Coldwater (58-49) last week to extend their winning streak to six games. They’ll take on Hastings and Marshall this week with a chance to keep their positive momentum rolling along.

Up next: at Hastings (0-7, 0-3 Interstate 8) on Jan. 14; vs. Marshall (4-4, 1-2 Interstate 8) on Jan. 17.

1. Grass Lake (8-1, 4-0 Cascades)

Last week: No. 1

The Warriors cruised past Hanover-Horton (60-29) and Addison (53-10) last week to remain on top of the Cascades Conference standings. The top-ranked team in Division 3 will have a pair of home games against Vandercook Lake and Manchester this week as they continue to bulldoze through their schedule.

Up next: vs. Vandercook Lake (0-8, 0-4 Cascades) on Jan. 15; vs. Manchester (3-6, 2-2 Cascades) on Jan. 17.

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