Girls pick up fourth-place vote

The Powell High School boys basketball team breaks for the winter recess in No. 2 position in the final Wyopreps coaches and media poll of 2011. The Panthers, 6-1, were mentioned among the state’s top three teams on all 14 of the ballots submitted.

Powell received three first-place votes, eight second-place votes and three third-place votes. The team trails undefeated Lander by just three points in the latest ranking after that margin had been more than 100 points just two weeks prior.

Teams receive 15 points for a first-place vote, 12 points for a second-place vote, nine points for third, six points for fourth and three points for being voted fifth.

Lander received nine first-place votes and three second-place votes, but was left off two ballots altogether. Wheatland, which checks in at No. 4 this week, received one of the remaining first-place votes. The remaining first-place vote in this week’s poll went to Jackson, 2-6 on the season. It was the only vote the school received.

Betweeen Powell and Wheatland this week is No. 3 Torrington, which appeared on 13 of the 14 ballots submitted. Buffalo, fresh off a loss to Powell, slid backwards one spot to No. 5 this week.

Star Valley, Cody and Lyman also received votes in the year-end poll.

On the girls’ side, the top five heading into the holidays are Douglas, Torrington, Star Valley, Wheatland and Cody. The Bearcat girls were named the No. 1 team on 12 of the 13 ballots submitted. Star Valley received the only hold-out vote for the state’s top 3A team.

Powell was one of four unranked schools to receive votes in this week’s poll. The Panthers received one fourth-place vote. Worland, Rawlins and Lander also received votes.

The Panthers resume action on the hardwood with a Jan. 6-7 road swing to Mountain View and Lyman. Both contests will count as 3A West conference games.