New Power Rankings

New Power Rankings

You (my readers) spoke and I listened so here are the new rankings. If you have any suggestions for the site email me or write on the facebook fan group wall because I am very open to criticism and to improving the site.

Whether you agree, disagree or downright don't care, I want to hear your opinion! Comment below.

1. Belmont Hill

Belmont Hill is my early favorite to win the ISL because of its addition of freshman Carl Reid and its depth. Dawson Luke '09 is the only player who graduated last year so the team should be stronger than it was last year. I expect Carl to play somewhere in the top 3 alongside Peter Yanofsky and John Welch. Belmont Hill should expect some strong competition from defending champion Milton Academy as well as Roxbury Latin and Nobles. The strength of Belmont Hill's 1-4 should be way too much for the other teams in the ISL.

2. Nobles

The Nobles squad definitely has some replacing to do after losing its number 1, 2 and 4 to graduation. The addition of Cam Chapman who could potentially play number 1 or 2 and Will Samuels who should dominate towards the bottom of the lineup may be enough to replace the graduating seniors. I’m not sure how Nobles will match up with Milton and Roxbury Latin but both matches should be very close. Captain Will Shames ’10 is one of the only upperclassmen on this young team.

3. Roxbury Latin

I watched the BB&N-RL match on Saturday and RL won handily 13-2 but the score didn't reflect how close many of the sets were.  RL wasn't unbelievable but they were solid at every position and their depth could potentially threaten Milton and Nobles.

4. Milton

Before I found out that Noah Bragg would not be playing this year I had Milton picked as the overwhelming favorite to win the league. While Milton returns its numbers 2,4,5 and 6, the question is whether it can fill the holes left by Noah and Will Hunnewell. Milton has a strong 1-4 and they should clean up at 1 and 2 doubles but 5 and 6 singles is a real question mark this year. Milton's first test will be against Belmont Hill on April 17th. The biggest achilles heel for this team will probably be its depth.

5. St. Paul's

I'm not sure how strong St. Paul's will be this year but they are one of the most consistent teams in the league and they tend to have good depth every year. Returning a strong 1,2 duo in Raffini ’10 and Bartlett ‘11, and always boasting a deep squad, expect St. Paul's to have another successful season.

6. BB&N

 BB&N should have a very competitive match against Rivers in two weeks with a fair amount on the line. The Knights dropped a tough match against Roxbury Latin where they lost a lot of very close sets.

7. Rivers

Rivers returns T.J. Moor and Cal Louis and should have a strong squad this season. Rivers dropped its first match against Milton 14-1.

8. Groton

Groton graduated its number 1 and 2 probably will be somewhere in the middle of the league. Groton could move up as high as sixth or possibly fifth but it will unlikely finish higher than that.

9. Thayer

Thayer graduated league MVP Tom Darling and the squad continues to get weaker since its 2006 New England Class B Championship. Richie Robbie '11 should have a successful season at number 1.

10. St. George's (12th last week)

St. George's graduated its number 1 and I think it's number 2 was a senior as well.  St. George's moved up after beating Governor's 11-4.

11. St. Mark's

St. Mark's returns number 1 Chris Bassett '10 and looks to improve upon last year. St. Mark's started the season with a solid win against Middlesex.

12. Governor's (10th last week)

Governor's will once again be led by Nate Collins '10 who has been playing at the number 1 spot since his freshman year. He is an early MVP candidate who needs players to win towards the end of the lineup for Governor's to improve on last season.

13. Middlesex

Middlesex was young last year and they should be stronger now that there players have had time to improve.

14. St. Sebastian's

Conor Haughey leads this St. Sebastian's team that hopes to improve on last year.

15. Brooks

Since Alex Skinner left, this squad hasn't been too strong.

16.  Lawrence

Lawrence looks to improve upon its disappointing season last year.