Conference play usually results in a different type of ball game and a team that's ranked by the coaches/media needs to take heed to that advice, or else they will be brought back to Earth.

It's a big week in 4A. Conference play start with a #1 at #2 matchup on Friday, when defending champ Cheyenne East visits Thunder Basin. The Lady Bolts are already preparing, but the Lady Thunderbirds have unranked Cheyenne Central to contend with first. Speaking of the Lady Indians, they may have an ax to grind with the voters, considering they beat #5 Kelly Walsh a couple of weeks ago, but still haven't been able to pass them in the rankings. Central has 2 big chances to prove themselves this weekend, vs. both the Lady Thunderbirds and Lady Bolts. Elsewhere, Evanston is down 1 spot to #3 this week, while Campbell County is back in the rankings at #4. Kelly Walsh will have their hands full this week vs. cross-town rival Natrona...a team that was ranked last week, and is looking to return to the top 5.

Nothing has changed in the new 3A rankings, and there's nothing too big on the schedule this week, which is an opportunity for unranked teams to strike. Undefeated Douglas and undefeated Lyman are still #1 and #2. They are followed by Buffalo, Mountain View and Lyman. The team that has the biggest chance to move up, is unranked Star Valley, who plays both the Lady Eagles and Lady Buffalos this weekend.

Ranked teams in 2A could be ripe for the pickings if they don't look out this week. #1 Lusk should get some good tests vs. unranked Southeast and unranked Pine Bluffs. #2 Greybull will get some challenges home vs. #5 Lovell and #3 Rocky Mountain...a team they beat a couple of weeks ago in non-conference play. The Lady Grizzlies lost last week at home vs. Big Horn, but neutralized things by winning at Wyoming Indian, who is down to #4 this week.

Conference play started last weekend in the 1A southwest, and there's been a change on top as a result. Cokeville is now the new #1. The Lady Panthers won big on the road last week at former #1, now #2 Encampment. Cokeville took a big step forward last week, considering they missed the state tournament last year. As for the Lady Tigers, they are only 1 vote back of #1, and host #3 Little Snake River on Saturday. St. Stephens maintains the #4 spot, while Rock River now has #5 all to themselves, after sharing it the past 2 weeks.

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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