First stab at rating the Pacific’s high school boys and girls basketball teams and wrestling squads. Through games and dual meets of Wednesday, Jan. 20.
Boys basketball1, Kubasaki (11-0). Survived stern test in Taipei, now look to the Friendship Tournament. 2, Seoul American (9-1). Loss to Humphreys only blemish on Falcons’ ledger; still deepest team in Korea. 3, Humphreys (7-1). One coach calls Blackhawks’ lineup the best in the league. 4, Yokota (13-3). Not the same team it was with Jadan Anderson, but still very strong. 5, Kadena (8-6). Starting to come on strong, had a good weekend in Taipei. 6, George Washington, Guam (5-2). Won the preseason tournament; stunned in season-opening loss. 7, Seoul Foreign (7-1). Handed Blackhawks their lone loss 53-40, but that was six weeks ago. 8, Guam (5-2). Joe Taitano back at helm of Panthers team that reached preseason semis. 9, John F. Kennedy, Guam (4-2). Played for preseason championship against Geckos. 10, American School In Japan (6-3). Opened new year with a thrilling victory over Red Devils. 11, Nile C. Kinnick (9-5). Have shown much brilliance; need more consistency to challenge Japan elite. 12, Okkodo, Guam (5-3). Another preseason semifinal team. 13, Robert D. Edgren (7-3). Very quietly having a strong season and could be a Division II threat. 14, E.J. King (5-4). Came back strong for victory last weekend over Perry. 15, Matthew C. Perry (7-4). Need more consistency to make run at long elusive D-II title.
Girls basketball1, Yokota (12-2). Stumbled early a couple of times, but have taken off with Henderson in lineup. 2, Kadena (7-2). Also had a solid weekend in Taipei; Rhamsey Wyche can be a scoring machine. 3, Seoul Foreign (7-1). Solid collection of all-around athletes leading the way in Korea. 4, Academy of Our Lady of Guam (16-0). Season complete; won league title over Notre Dame. 5, Zama (8-3). Handed Yokota one of its only two losses; freshman Thomas making mark. 6, Taejon Christian (6-3). With Warnken in lineup, Dragons always have chance. 7, Yongsan (6-3). So, too, do Guardians go when Ikeda goes; could also challenge in Korea Blue. 8, ASIJ (8-5). Not quite the same with big stars gone, but still in front in Kanto. 9, Notre Dame, Guam (13-3). Season complete. 10, Perry (6-5). All the ability in the world to compete; consistency remains key.
Wrestling1, St. Mary’s. Halted Kinnick’s 31-dual-match, two-season-plus win streak. 2, Kinnick. Rebounded to take last week’s ASIJ Invitational, still in hunt for gold. 3, Kadena. Unbeaten thus far in three duals with Kubasaki. 4, Kubasaki. As strong as anybody 129 pounds and below. 5, Seoul American. Could be even stronger with better opposition in Korea.
