Boys Prep Poll
| Rank | Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kent | 15 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | Salisbury | 13 | 1 | 4 |
| 3 | Thayer | 17 | 3 | 0 |
| 4 | Cushing | 19 | 5 | 0 |
| 5 | Phillips Exeter | 17 | 3 | 2 |
| 6 | Berkshire | 13 | 4 | 3 |
| 7 | Gunnery | 14 | 6 | 0 |
| 8 | Nobles | 14 | 5 | 1 |
| 9 | Northfield | 17 | 6 | 1 |
| 10 | Choate | 10 | 5 | 3 |
| 11 | Kimball Union | 16 | 6 | 4 |
| 12 | Phillips Andover | 10 | 5 | 3 |
| 13 | Dexter | 16 | 5 | 1 |
| 14 | Williston | 10 | 7 | 1 |
| 15 | Westminster | 9 | 7 | 2 |
* Updated 2/2/14
With the bulk of the western schools on the short winter break this season, there wasn’t much action in the prep school ranks. Also, not much change to the HNIB News Boys Prep Top 15 poll, as the top eight positions remain the same.
Showing some upward mobility this week were Northfield Mt. Hermon, climbing to #9, and Phillips Andover, moving up to #11. Conversely, Kimball Union, which lost to Northfield, and Dexter, defeated by Andover, both slipped a bit, but remain in the poll.
At the top, things still point to Kent (15-1-1). In their only action of the week, the Lions doubled up on Taft, 4-2. This week will be a busy one for coach Dale Reinhardt’s club with four games – Brunswick Monday, a toughie with Berkshire Wednesday, Loomis Chaffee Friday and Trinity-Pawling Saturday.
#2 Salisbury (13-1-4) seems to have cured what ailed it earlier this year, outscoring their opponents 17-2 in a pair of wins this week (11-2 over Brunswick and 6-0 over Trinity Pawling). Things won’t get any easier this week, with the Crimson Knights seeing Taft (Wednesday), Loomis Chaffee (Saturday) and Cushing (Sunday).
Equally impressive was #3 Thayer (17-3-0). The Tigers got revenge on Nobles in a big way (6-3), then took care of BB&N (8-3) and Governors Academy (8-1). They seem to be cranking on all cylinders. Lawrence Academy (Wednesday) and Belmont Hill (Friday) are this week’s opponents.
#4 Cushing (19-5-0) scored a big 3-2 win over Kimball Union Saturday, coupled with an 8-4 victory over Tilton for a solid week. Prior to the Salisbury battle this coming Sunday, the Penguins can’t look past Tabor (Wednesday) and Canterbury (Saturday),
#5 Phillips Exeter (17-3-2) saw its defense come to the forefront this week with shutout wins over Holderness (8-0) and Milton Academy (3-0). They, too, have a couple of battles this week, starting with Proctor (Wednesday) and a big one with Northfield (Saturday).
#6 Berkshire (13-4-3) was fit to be tied by Canterbury (0-0) on Wednesday, that standoff coming after a 9-2 trouncing of Albany Academy. The Bears would like nothing better than to take down Kent on Wednesday. They follow that up with Governor’s Academy on Saturday.
In #7 Gunnery‘s (14-6-0) only action this week, the Highlanders blanked Millbrook (3-0). They hope to continue their strong play this week against Avon Old Farms (Wednesday) and Pomfret (Saturday).
#8 Nobles (14-5-1) bounced back from the Thayer loss by outlasting St. Paul’s, 7-5. Keller Division foes Governor’s Academy (Wednesday) and Milton Academy (Saturday) are up this week for the Bulldogs.
A big win over Kimball Union (3-1) followed by a 6-1 verdict of Vermont Academy moves Northfield Mt. Hermon (17-6-1) up to #9. The Hoggers play Williston Wednesday and look to Phillips Exeter on Saturday.
Choate (10-5-3) sneaks into the top ten, its only outing this week a 3-0 vanquishing of Hotchkiss. The Wild Boars have three games this week, starting with Pomfret Wednesday, and finishing with Kingswood on Thursday and Westminster on Saturday.
#11 Kimball Union (16-6-4) snapped a two-game skein (3-1 to Northfield, 3-2 to Cushing) with a 3-2 win over Holderness. The Wildcats will look to cool down #12 Phillips Andover (10-5-3) on Wednesday, then get to tangle with New Hampton Friday and Holderness again on Saturday.
The Big Blue, coming off a huge win over Dexter, will also have Governor’s Academy on Friday.
#13 Dexter (16-5-1) will be looking to move back up the poll this week with games against Pingree (Wednesday) and Tabor (Saturday). Prior to the loss with Andover, Dexter did beat both Brooks (4-1) and Pomfret (6-1).
#14 Williston (10-7-1) beat #15 Westminster (9-7-2) for the first time in years this week (5-1). The Wildcats will have their hands full with Northfield Wednesday, and play Millbrook Saturday. The Martlets, who did rebound with a 5-4 win over Avon, have Hotchkiss (Wednesday) and Choate (Saturday) to deal with.
