Groundhogs are not used to predict the outcome of basketball games, but the coaches/media rankings can help anticipate what big games are coming up in the near future.

The 4th quarter made the difference in last week's 4A #2 vs. #1 showdown. When the dust settled, Gillette prevailed and they are now the unanimous #1, and Cheyenne East is the unanimous #2. The rematch is next week at Cheyenne. Meantime, East visits Laramie on Friday. As for the rest of the rankings, Natrona jumps Laramie by 1 vote for #3, thus bumping the Lady Plainsmen to #4. The Fillies have won 62 straight games vs. 4A West opponents in the regular season, and should get a good test this weekend at Green River and at Rock Springs. #5 Kelly Walsh faces the same in reverse order.

Douglas continues to dominate the 3A rankings. The Lady Bearcats are still the unanimous #1 ranked team, and play a couple home games this weekend, while #2 Lyman has the weekend off, after beating 4A Green River earlier in the week. #3 Worland also has a couple of games this weekend on their home court. The game of interest could be on Saturday, when #4 Star Valley visits #5 Powell.

Pine Bluffs continues to take care of business in 2A and are still the unanimous #1 ranked team in that class. Wyoming Indian stays put at #2, and should have a challenge on their hands this weekend, when they visit #5 Lovell. Big Horn continues to be the #3 ranked team. Southeast is back in the rankings at #4, and faces a big task on Friday at PB, but before that, they are a rematch with 1A #4 Lingle-Ft. Laramie.

There's no change in the top 2 1A ranked teams. St. Stephens was one vote away from being the unanimous #1. #2 Farson-Eden has been enjoying the comforts of home lately, but their biggest test awaits, starting this weekend. The Lady Pronghorns now have to face ALL of their Southwest conference rivals on the road, starting with #3 Encampment, who is up a couple of spots, after last week's big road win. Lingle-Ft. Laramie continues to be ranked #4, while Little Snake River drops down to #5.

Disclaimer: The rankings have no official say on post-season positioning, and are only to be used as a measuring stick on the regular season. Please don't read too much into the rankings.

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