Latest rankings see Powell atop 3A

The Powell Panthers sit atop the Class 3A boys basketball rankings according to the latest set of ballots in the Wyopreps.com coaches’ and media poll. Powell received 12 of a possible 17 first-place votes in the first balloting of 2012 to easily lead the 3A division.

Powell, 8-1 on the year, was named on 16 of the 17 ballots submitted for the rankings this week. In addition to their first place votes, the Panthers received a pair of second-place votes and two third-place votes. One ballot left the Panthers out of the top five altogether.

Altogether, the voting results left the Panthers with 222 overall points, placing the team well in front of former No. 1 Lander, which slid down one place to occupy Powell’s former slot in the poll. The Tigers received one first place vote and had 159 points in this week’s poll.

Close on Lander’s heels is Star Valley, the school which handed the Tigers’ their first loss. Star Valley received three first-place votes in this week’s poll.

Trailing the Braves in votes to round out this week’s top five is Torrington (108 points) and Buffalo (81 points).

The remaining first-place vote in this week’s poll went to Wheatland. Lyman and Douglas also received votes in the poll.

The Panthers travel to Park County rival Cody on Friday for their only game this week.

Results from the first 3A girls’ basketball poll of 2012 had not been released as of press time.