Welcome back Hazelwood schools and a few Predictions for January 25th

 I see that Hazelwood East is back on the hardcourt for the first time this year.  Last week, both Jennings and Hazelwood Central managed to get their first games of the season in.  Jennings looked like they were in mid-season form, with DeMarion Shanklin lighting it up from all over the court.  They lost down the stretch to Eureka but will play everyone tough the rest of the way.  Central looks to be down a little after losing key starters from last year to transfers and relocation but they have a good group emerging so I expect them to be tough again soon.  Hazelwood East was back on the rise last year so they should be a good squad with a couple of games under their belt.  It's just nice to see the North County teams back in action.  Good luck to all of them.

Look for my new top 20 Missouri boys by class ratings over at www.810varsity.com tomorrow.  And, again, thanks Chad Rader, for highlighting those ratings on your excellent website.  I will post all classes, all Missouri schools later in the week.

I hesitate to put out predictions on games, especially where they will be one-sided affairs, and I often hear back from the team that is on the short end of those outcomes that I should not predict a 30 point loss, even when they do indeed lose by 30.  I guess I have a short memory because I am going to lay down some predictions for tonight's area action.  I have highlighted the predicted winner, listed current team ratings for the visitor and home teams, and posted the predicted spread is on the right-hand column.  

I really going out on a limb today.  Yes, Jeff Taggart, I think Northwest Cedar Hill is going to pull off a victory at Herculaneum tonight.  Go Lions!  And I hope De Smet is dressing a lot of JV guys...

So here goes:


Of course, the favored team needs to show up (effort)...

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