SBLive Missouri high school boys basketball Power 25 rankings (Feb. 13): Undefeated Nixa survives two tough tests

As we wind towards postseason play, not much has changed in the top five. Vashon continues to march toward the Class 4 postseason while Staley continues to do the same across the state in Class 6. 

A huge Top 25 matchup between Cape Central and Charleston headlines a huge slate of games on Tuesday.

SBLIVE MISSOURI POWER 25 BOYS BASKETBALL RANKINGS 

• PREVIOUS RANKINGS: JAN. 24 | FEB. 6 

Here's a look at the SBLive Missouri Power 25 (with records through Feb. 12):

1. Vashon (14-7)

Last week: 1

After a rocky national schedule, Vashon has returned to the midwest and is flashing what it's capable of. Went across the river and knocked off a ranked Illinois team in East St. Louis 63-45 and pushed its winning streak to seven games. The two-time defending Class 4 state champions are hitting on all cylinders as they streak toward the postseason.

2. Staley (21-2)

Last week: 2

Crushed Lee's Summit North before knocking off Liberty on the road to push its winning streak to four games. After Vashon handed the Falcons its only loss to a Missouri team, the Falcons have three more games before they kick off the Class 6 playoffs. After a third-place finish in Class 6, Staley looks in a prime position to bring home some more hardware this year.

3. Nixa (22-0)

Last week: 3

Handled its toughest test of the season with a four-point victory over Republic at the beginning of the week before holding off an upset-minded Carthage on Friday to remain undefeated. The Eagles' defense locked down the Tigers late in the game when Carthage had a chance to tie or take the lead with 20 seconds left in regulation. It pushed Nixa's COC winning streak to an unprecedented 28 games in a row.

4. Cardinal Ritter (18-3)

Last week: 4

Off last week, the Lions will host St. Charles West before a trip to CBC on Thursday. Clayton Jackson, a junior guard, is one of the top scorers in the St. Louis area with 25.7 points a game. Four Lions average double-digit scoring: Jackson (25.7) Nashawn Davis (19.7), Derrick Rivers (18.3) and Quentin Parker (11.2)

5. Oak Park (21-1)

Last week: 5

Cruised to a 24-point win over St. Joseph Central in its lone game of the week. Oak Park pushed its winning streak to 15 games. The Northmen has a huge week before the Class 6 playoffs begin in a few weeks. It travels to Truman on Tuesday before a huge home matchup with North Kansas City on Friday. Oak Park defeated North Kansas City on the road in January.

6. Cape Girardeau Central (21-1)

Last week: 7

The lone loss of the season is a long-distance memory for the Tigers. In its lone game of the week, Cape Central crushed Sikeston on the road, 84-57. Senior Cameron Williams and freshman Marquel Murray combined for 42 points. The Tigers have another huge matchup this week, hosting defending Class 3 state champion Charleston on Tuesday.

7. Lee's Summit West (21-2)

Last week: 6

Picked up victories this week over Blue Springs South and Liberty North. The Titans have two games this week before a showdown with North Kansas City to end the regular season. Over the past four games, Lee's Summit West's defense has not given up more than 51 points to any team. The defense has been stellar this year, in eight games, it hasn't allowed more than 40 points.

8. Kirkwood (20-0)

Last week: 8

The Pioneers dominated McCluer to pick up its lone win this week. Has showdowns with St. Dominic and Eureka this week to threaten its unbeaten season. Christian Hughes and Javaris Moye lead a balanced attack for the Pioneers, averaging 14 points and 13.5 points a game, respectively.

9. De Smet (17-5)

Last week: 10

Since a loss to Kirkwood in the Parkway West tournament title game, the Spartans have been rolling. De Smet picked up three wins in a busy week, capped by a two-point victory over conference rival CBC. Senior Justin Duff went off for 25 points in the victory, while senior center Patrick Origliasso poured in 19 points. De Smet has a matchup with Hazelwood Central before capping the week with a contest against Chaminade on Friday.

10. Republic (20-2)

Last week: 9

After taking a big shot at undefeated Nixa and falling short, 62-58, the Tigers rebounded with a 13-point win over Webb City on the road. Republic has a road trip to Ozark before a showdown with Neosho at home on Friday.

Vote now: Who should be SBLive's Missouri High School Athlete of the Week (Feb. 6-11)?

Versailles' Ryder Williams voted SBLive's Missouri High School Athlete of the Week (Jan. 30-Feb. 4)

Photos: Logan Bishop leads Lee's Summit West boys basketball team past Liberty North

De Smet defeats CBC to claim share of first Metro Catholic Conference title since 2006

Photos: Battle boys basketball team earns first win over rival Rock Bridge

11. Kickapoo (14-7)

Last week: 11

After a one-possession loss at Nixa to kick off February, the Chiefs have not been tested this month. The 2021 Class 6 state champions have won three in a row and are primed to face the teeth of its schedule this week. Kickapoo has three consecutive games against Bolivar, Joplin and Hillcrest that feature teams with records over .500.

12. Ladue (18-5)

Last week: 12

The Rams won at home against Mehlville before dropping a seven-point loss to Lindbergh on the road. Ladue responded with a 20-point drumming against Pattonville. Features a showdown against Webster Groves on the road on Tuesday before a matchup with conference opponent Parkway Central on Friday.

13. Chaminade (16-8)

Last week: 13

Broke its five-game losing streak with a 56-52 win over SLUH before picking up a win at Vianney. The Red Devils have a road matchup with Confluence on Wednesday before a huge showdown at De Smet to cap its regular season. Senior guards Nilavan Daniels and Southeast Missouri commit BJ Ward provide a terrifying one-two punch.

14. Park Hill (14-8)

Last week: 14

The Trojans nearly gave up a road victory to its cross-town rival Park Hill South but held on for a one-point win in overtime. Park Hill has won three of its last five, with its only two losses coming to Staley and Oak Park. The Trojans have a pair of matchups with Lee's Summit school this week before another showdown against Staley next week.

15. Charleston (19-5)

Last week: 17

The defending Class 3 state champions have run their winning streak to 12 games and set up for a huge showdown with Cape Central on Tuesday. The Blue Jays were tested in the sixth-man showdown against Hazelwood Central before a 23-point and 40-point win in their next two games.

16. Christian Brothers College (13-10)

Last week: 15

After picking up back-to-back Metro Catholic Conference victories over Chaminade and Vianney, the Cadets fell just short against De Smet. In its four losses to Missouri teams, CBC has only lost by an average margin of just five points. Nassir Binion leads the fresh-faced Cadets with 13.8 points and 5.5 rebounds a game.

17. Borgia (20-3)

Last week: 18

Won its lone game against Windsor last week 52-42. Will host Lutheran North and travel to Father Tolton this week. It's the first 20-win season for the Knights since the 2015-16 season. Borgia features a two-headed attack with Grant Schroeder and Adam Rickman. The senior seniors aver averaging 19.2 and 18.7 points a game for the streaking Knights.

18. North Kansas City (14-7)

Last week: 21

Grabbed two victories last week. Will look for a third consecutive win at Fort Osage on Tuesday before a gauntlet to end the regular season in Oak Park and Lee's Summit West. Both opponents combine to have a record of 42-3.

19. Troy Buchanan (18-4)

Last week: 20

Picked up victories over conference rivals in Francis Howell Central and Timberland. The Trojans continue to win. They have won nine of their last 10 games, with their only loss coming to undefeated Nixa on Jan. 28. Troy has four double-digit scorers this year with senior Jack Fessenden leading the way with 16.5 points a game.

20. Park Hill South (13-9)

Last week: 16

After streaking to a 13-5 record, the Panthers have dropped their last four games. Park Hill South dropped a one-point loss at home on Friday to Park Hill. The Panthers managed to claw back from a 15-point deficit before falling in overtime to its cross-town rival.

21. Jackson (15-8)

Last week: 19

The Indians picked up a win at Marquette, but that was sandwiched with losses against Charleston and New Madrid County Central. They have a Valentine's Day matchup against Seckman on Tuesday before a showdown on Friday against Sikeston. Jackson has not won back-to-back games since Jan. 9-10.

22. New Madrid County Central (16-7)

Last week: NR

After back-to-back losses in the Nixa Invitational late in January, the Eagles are rolling. New Madrid County Central has won four straight with a victory over Rock Bridge in the Hall of Fame Classic on Saturday. The Eagles have a loaded week before the Class 3 postseason begins with back-to-back home games. First up is Poplar Bluff on Monday before a showdown with Sikeston to cap its season.

23. Sikeston (16-4)

Last week: NR

The Bulldogs are streaking toward the postseason. After a tournament victory in Union, they backed it up with a victory over Meridian and a home win over Dexter. Sikeston stumbled with a loss to Cape Central at home. The Bulldogs will have three consecutive games against teams with above .500 records before a rivalry game on the road against Poplar Bluff to conclude the regular season.

24. Battle (16-6)

Last week: NR

The streaking Spartans have pushed their winning streak to 10 games. Battle has been on the warpath since a 6-6 start to the season and has knocked off teams like Kickapoo, Kirksville, and Fort Zumwalt South (twice) before knocking off Rock Bridge in a cross-town rivalry victory. The Spartans will host Hickman on Friday and are looking to sweep the city of Columbia with victories already over Father Tolton and Rock Bridge.

25. St. Charles (18-4)

Last week: 24

The Pirates suffered an upset loss to Orchard Farm at home. After starting the season 10-0, they have gone 8-4 in their last 12 games. The 18 wins are the most since St. Charles collected 18 victories in the 2017-18 season. Junior Chris Ketchem leads the offensive attack with 15.5 points a game. They have two road games on the docket before the playoffs kick off in a few weeks.

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