DIRTY DOZEN: McNairy boys join the rankings
There are only three undefeated teams remaining in West Tennessee after the first three weeks of the season.
Humboldt is proving that it can live up to the preseason hype of being a state tournament contender.
Crockett County has surprised teams in the area as the Cavaliers have won their first seven games of the season.
Dresden had a late start to the season with the football team winning the Class 1A state championship. The Lions’ season started Tuesday, so they are 1-0.
But how long will those undefeated seasons last? There seems to be plenty of quality teams in West Tennessee.
So here is the new boys basketball Dirty Dozen with teams that are looking to knock those undefeated teams off the top:
1. Humboldt (14-A) (6-0): The Vikings are now 3-0 in 14-A play after picking up two wins on the week. They travel to Trenton Peabody on Friday before finishing out the week with North Side and Lake County. Results: Beat Halls, Bradford. Last week: No. 1.
2. Haywood (15-AA) (5-3: The Tomcats bounced back with a three-win week, and they avenged an earlier loss to Memphis Central. Haywood hosts Bolivar on Saturday. Results: Beat South Side, Memphis Central, Lexington. Last week: No. 2.
3. Middleton (15-A) (4-1): The Tigers have now won four straight, but back-to-back games this weekend against Jackson Christian (Friday) and USJ (Saturday) will test this team. Results: Beat Ripley (Miss.), TCA. Last week: No. 4.
4. Crockett County (13-AA) (7-0): The Cavaliers area still unbeaten on the season. After facing Chester County on Friday, Crockett County has a rematch with Sacred Heart on Tuesday. Results: Beat Huntingdon, Jackson Christian. Last week: No. 6.
5. South Side (14-AA) (2-3): The Hawks lost to the No. 1 team in the rankings last week. Now they must prepare for the Jackson rivalry games this week with Liberty on Friday and North Side on Tuesday. Results: Lost to Haywood. Last week: No. 3.
6. Camden (11-AA) (5-1): The Lions are off to a 3-0 start in 11-AA play, and they have won five straight games. Camden’s next four games are in district play. Results: Beat CreekWood, East Hickman. Last week: No. 8.
7. Westview (13-AA) (5-2): The Chargers' five-game winning streak ended on Friday, but they will try to bounce back this week with games against Henry County and Bradford. Results: Beat Gibson County, Murray (Ky.); Lost to Liberty. Last week: No. 7.
8. Liberty (15-AA) (2-3): The Crusaders got back to winning on Tuesday to split the season series with Westview. A home game against South Side is the only game on the schedule this week. Results: Beat Westview. Last week: No. 10.
9. Bradford (14-A) (5-3): The Red Devils lost two of three games this week with both losses coming in district play. The schedule doesn’t get easier with Halls and Westview this week. Results: Beat Milan; Lost to South Fulton, Humboldt. Last week: No. 9.
10. Dresden (13-A) (1-0): Now that football is over, the Lions have started the season, and they began with a 13-A win over Gleason. District play continues this coming week with Clarksburg and McKenzie. Results: Beat Gleason. Last week: No. 11.
11. McNairy Central (14-AA) (4-1): The Bobcats have won four straight games since an opening loss. McNairy stays at home this week with Hardin County and Middleton coming to town. Results: Beat Milan, Alcorn Central (Miss.). Last week: Not ranked.
12. Jackson Christian (15-AA) (4-4): This was a tough week for the Eagles as they suffered three losses. They have two games remaining before Christmas to try to right the ship. Results: Lost to Obion County, USJ, Crockett County. Last week: No. 5.
Dropped out: Sacred Heart (4-3).
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