DIRTY DOZEN: 3 new teams join rankings this week

Many factors can lead to early season losses. Some teams have recently gotten their football players back with minor injuries from the gridiron, while other teams are still waiting for those football players.

A team might have a new coach, and the players are still trying to learn and buy into the new philosophy or game plan.

But then there are teams like Gibson County, Jackson Christian and McNairy Central that come out of the gates strong and pick up big early wins.

Those three teams joined the rankings this week, while three others fell out.

Here is the new boys’ basketball Dirty Dozen after the first week of the season:

1Westview (13-AA) (3-0) – The Chargers opened the season with three straight wins, including one on the road at Bolivar. Results: Beat Trenton Peabody, South Fulton, Bolivar. Last week: No. 1.

2USJ (D2-A) (3-0) – The Bruins picked up three wins to open the season, including one over the defending District 13-AAA champion Munford. Results: Beat Munford, Bradford, Crockett County. Last week: No. 2.

3South Side (14-AA) (3-0) – The Hawks beat two city foes along with picking up a win in the Region 7-AA Tip-off Classic to start the season. Results: Beat Madison, Crockett County, North Side. Last week: No. 3.

4Camden (11-AA) (3-0) – The Lions are off to a strong start with three straight wins, including one in overtime against a Class AAA team in Henry County. Results: Beat Henry County, Huntingdon, Big Sandy. Last week: No. 12.

5Middleton (15-A) (2-1) – The Tigers started the season with three games against Class AA competition, and they won two of the three. Results: Beat Haywood, North Side; Lost to Fayette-Ware. Last week: No. 7.

6Gibson County (3-0) – The Pioneers avenged the loss that ended their season last year with a big win over Lake County to open the District 14-A schedule. Results: Beat Clarksburg, Chester County, Lake County. Last week: Not ranked.

7Jackson Christian (4-0) – The Eagles have already picked up six wins to open the season against Class A, Class AA and Division II-A competition. Results: Beat Huntingdon, South Gibson, McKenzie, Tipton-Rosemark. Last week: Not ranked.

8Humboldt (14-A) (3-1) – The Vikings won three games in the opening week of the season, including a District 14-A opening win, but they lost in overtime to North Side. Results: Beat Sacred Heart, JCM, South Fulton; Lost to North Side. Last week: No. 6.

9Haywood (15-AA) (1-1) – The Tomcats split a pair of games to open the season. The season doesn’t get easier this weekend as they play Westwood and Southwind in Ripley. Results: Beat Memphis Central; Lost to Middleton. Last week: No. 8.

10North Side (15-AA) (1-2) – The Indians didn’t play well in the opening week of the season, but they did get an overtime win over Humboldt. Results: Beat Humboldt; Lost to Middleton, South Side. Last week: No. 5.

11McNairy Central (3-0) – The Bobcats showed how much they have improved in the offseason with three wins in the opening week of the season. Results: Beat MHEA, TCA, Hardin County. Last week: Not ranked.

12Hardin County (13-AAA) (2-1) – The Tigers started out well but ended the week with a loss on the road at McNairy Central. Results: Beat Bolivar, Chester County; Lost to McNairy Central. Last week: No. 9.

Dropped out: Huntingdon (0-2). TCA (1-3); Lexington (1-4)

Teams eligible for the Dirty Dozen rankings are those who represent schools from The Jackson Sun’s 13-county circulation area: Madison, Gibson, Henderson, Chester, Hardeman, Haywood, Crockett, Weakley, Carroll, Benton, Decatur, McNairy and Hardin.

Michael Odom, 425-9754