Friday, January 31, 2014

Mid-Season Basketball Races, Nothing Unexpected

Just like most of us thought, the Delta River League and the Delta Valley Conference boys' basketball races are, at the mid-point of the season, pretty much as predicted a month ago.

In the DRL, it's a race between Jesuit and Folsom for the championship. Tonight in Folsom, we'll see who might be a little better than the other. Those two clubs face off for the first time.

In the DVC, it's a bit more of a race for the top three slots. Right now it's the three we predicted - Franklin, Grant and Monterey Trail on top. A little surprising is Laguna Creek at 1-3 behind Davis at 2-2. The Cardinals need a quality outing like they had last week against Elk Grove tonight at Franklin to get back in it. If they lose tonight, they may be out of the playoff picture.

What a hard luck season Elk Grove is having in Mat Bradley's first year. They have lost seven games by five points or less.

Pleasant Grove is squirming right now behind Oak Ridge in fourth place, but remember, the DRL gets four teams in the post-season this year thanks to the new playoff set-up. The Eagles should end up in third place by the end of the year.

One post-note to the Cosumnes Oaks basketball situation. By forfeiting 16 wins this season and now 4-17 they have to thank the Sac-Joaquin Section for changing the playoff set-up. If it was a year ago and under the old power ratings system, it would be very likely the Wolfpack would be out of the playoffs, even with about five league games remaining.

However, under the new system (and if they win out the remaining contests) Cosumnes Oaks will make the post-season. What do you think about a possible Division II champion with a sub-.500 record? It could happen.

Delta Valley Conference Standings (as of Jan. 31)


Delta River League Standings (as of Jan. 31)





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