DIRTY DOZEN: Sacred Heart boys enter at No. 8

A week like this was bound to happen. There had to be week of games where multiple teams in the Dirty Dozen took losses.

When that happens, it is hard to figure out exactly how far to make teams fall with those losses.

Two teams – Westview and Lexington – took losses from Dyersburg.

Two teams – Liberty and South Gibson – took two losses and dropped out of the rankings.

Three teams – Middleton, USJ and Camden – took two losses and remained in the rankings.

Three teams – Sacred Heart, Jackson Christian and Riverside – re-entered the rankings this week.

Here is the new boys basketball Dirty Dozen:

1. Humboldt (14-A) (18-1) – The Vikings continue to be the most dominating team in West Tennessee with two more district wins. South Fulton, Peabody and Lake County are on the schedule this week. Results: Beat Halls, Bradford. Last week: No. 1.

2. Haywood (15-AA) (14-5) – The Tomcats picked up three more wins this past week, two were in district play. But the potential for this team will be revealed over the next two games with road trips to Covington and Ripley. Results: Beat Liberty, Bolivar, Millington. Last week: No. 2.

3. Westview (13-AA) (12-4) – The Chargers took their first loss in district play, but they have a chance to bounce back with road trips to Obion County and Milan. Results: Beat South Gibson; Lost to Dyersburg. Last week: No. 4.

4. Crockett County (13-AA) (17-1) – The Cavaliers rebounded from their first loss on the season to pick up two district wins this week. Crockett County will play district leader Dyersburg this coming week. Results: Beat Obion County, South Gibson. Last week: No. 5.

5. Middleton (15-A) (12-4) – Road games were not kind to the Tigers this week as they took two losses, including one in district play. Middleton will try to get back to winning this week with games against TCA and Jackson Christian. Results: Beat Scotts Hill; Lost to Liberty, Riverside. Last week: No. 3.

6. Peabody (14-A) (12-8) – The Golden Tide have won four straight games now, but the next two games will be tough as they play the top two teams in the district – Humboldt and Union City. Results: Beat Greenfield, Milan, Gibson County. Last week: No. 10.

7. Lexington (14-AA) (10-11) – The Tigers are sitting on top of the 14-AA standings with a 3-0 record. They will try to finish the first half of the district schedule unbeaten with games against Chester County and Fayette-Ware this week. Results: Beat McNairy Central, Bolivar; Lost to Dyersburg. Last week: No. 12.

8. Sacred Heart (D2-A) (10-7) – The Knights have won four straight games to re-enter the rankings. They have two big district matchups coming this week with Rossville Christian and St. George’s. Results: Beat USJ, Fayette Academy. Last week: Not ranked.

9. Camden (11-AA) (16-4) – The Lions have taken two losses in district play after an injury to Hunter Vick has him on the bench. The team will try to rally until he returns with games against Stewart County and Fairview this week. Results: Beat Waverly; Lost to Creek Wood, East Hickman. Last week: No. 6.

10. USJ (D2-A) (12-8) – The Bruins fell to .500 in district play with two losses on the week. Games don’t get easier on Friday as they host St. George’s before traveling to Tipton-Rosemark. Results: Beat TCA; Lost to Sacred Heart, Rossville Christian. Last week: No. 7.

11. Jackson Christian (15-A) (11-8) – With two district wins this week, the Eagles are back into a three-way tie for first place in 15-A. JC has off until Tuesday when the team will try to knock off Middleton. Results: Beat Adamsville, TCA. Last week: Not ranked.

12. Riverside (15-A) (10-7) – The Panthers are also in the three-way tie for first in 15-A after beating Middleton. Riverside has two road district games this week at Madison and Adamsville. Results: Beat TCA, Middleton. Last week: Not ranked.

Dropped out: McKenzie (10-7); South Gibson (11-8); Liberty (7-9).

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