Coach’s and Media Boys Basketball Rankings: January 23

#1’s remain the same in the newest Coaches and Media boys basketball poll... and there are 2 #1 vs. #2 games this Saturday.

Burlington, Lovell, Star Valley and Gillette are again tops. The Huskies and Braves are unanimous, the other two share the top votes this week.

In 2A,  Lovell got 21 of 25 top votes and still ranks #1. Wyoming Indian and Lusk each got 2 of the other #1 ballots and go 2nd and 3rd. Big Horn moves up a spot, but Moorcroft doesn’t fall. The Rams and Wolves are tied for fourth this week. Lovell is about to go through the meat-grinder, as far as their schedule is concerned. Starting Friday, they play 5 games in a 9-day stretch. First off is home vs. Rocky Mountain...a team that gave Wyoming Indian all they could handle 2 weeks ago. Then Saturday, it's #1 at #2, when the Bulldogs travel to Ethete to play the Chiefs. Last time the 2 teams played in the heart of the reservation, WIHS forgot to come out of the locker room for the 2nd half and got run out of their own gym, although they did get some pay-back in last year's state championship game. Lovell did beat Wyoming Indian, back at the beginning of the season, but that's just it...it was the beginning of the season, and that doesn't carry much weight.

Gillette remains #1 in 4A with 17 of the 18 #1 votes. Riverton took the other and is 2nd with Laramie still third. Evanston’s weekend puts them fourth with Natrona fifth. South’s fifth place ranking was short lived going oh and 2 at home to open conference play. #2 Riverton play at #5 Natrona on Thursday.

3A has Star Valley a unanimous #1. Lyman moves into the two spot with Wheatland dropping to fourth after losing to Glenrock for the first time since 2005. Rawlins remains third while Douglas is in the top five at #5. The other #1 vs. #2 game mentioned earlier, is a battle for first place in the west, when SV visits Lyman. Meanwhile. #3 Rawlins plays at #4 Wheatland on Friday.

1A has Burlington with all 18 top votes. Ten Sleep is a solid second followed by Little Snake River and Encampment. Guernsey-Sunrise pushes Cokeville out of the rankings as the Vikings are fifth. There are no matchups scheduled this weekend in 1A, pitting ranked team vs. ranked team, however there is one inter-class game of note on Friday, when 1A Guernsey travels to 2A Moorcroft.