Boys Division 1 Prep Poll
Rank Team W L T 1 Salisbury 9 0 1 2 Kent 7 1 1 3 Kimball Union 12 1 3 4 Cushing 12 3 0 5 Phillips Exeter 10 2 0 6 Nobles 7 3 1 7 Thayer 8 2 0 8 Berkshire 7 3 1 9 Gunnery 7 5 0 10 Choate 6 4 0 11 Northfield 9 4 1 12 Dexter 9 4 1 13 Millbrook 10 4 1 14 Williston 5 3 1 15 Brooks 7 2 1
*Updated 1/6/14
Holiday break is now over and prep schools are back in session, ready to get the rest of the season cranked up.
With the break, there has not been much movement in the HNIB News Boys Prep Top 15 poll, although some teams were in action at the Watkins Tournament at Cushing, the Belmont Hill/Nichols Tournament at Belmont Hill and the Joshua Weeks Tournament at Tabor.
#1 Salisbury (9-0-1) was idle over the break and retains its top ranking. The Crimson Knights are actually off until January 11th, when they host Westminster.
The same goes for #2 Kent (7-1-1). The Lions, however, have a key tilt tonight hosting an improved Millbrook club. Kent then plays Trinity Pawling (1/8) and travels to Avon Old Farms (1/11).
#3 Kimball Union (12-1-3) did play at the Belmont Hill/Nichols Tournament over break and emerged the winners, edging Millbrook in the title game, 3-2, while going 4-0-1. The Wildcats are at Vermont Academy (1/8), host Tabor (1/11) and then on January 12th, will battle Governor’s Academy outdoors at Fenway Park.
Cushing
#4 Cushing (12-3-0) fell to Northfield in its opening game at the Watkins Tournament, but then reeled off three straight wins, including a 3-1 win over Dexter in the third place game. The Penguins are at home for pair of games this week: Tabor (1/8) and Deerfield (1/10).
Phillips Exeter moves up a spot to #5. Coach Dana Barbin’s club plays host this week to Governor’s Academy (1/8) and Andover (1/11).
The next two spots in the first poll of January go to a pair of ISL clubs. And Nobles (7-3-1) gets the nod over #7 Thayer (8-2-0) thanks to a 3-2 overtime win this past weekend. Both teams are back in action Wednesday, with Nobles at Lawrence Academy and Thayer travelling to Milton Academy.
#8 Berkshire (7-3-1) is ready to make a charge. The Bears host Northfield (1/8) and Williston (1/12), both Top 15 clubs.
#9 Gunnery (7-5-0) may have shaken its early-season cobwebs, taking the title at the Watkins Tournament with a 5-3 win over Northfield. Kevin Darrar had two goals and four assists in the tournament, while goalie Matt Schneider earned Tourney MVP honors.
Choate (6-4-0) climbs into the Top Ten at the #10 spot. The Wild Boards return to action hosting Canterbury (1/8) and Taft (1/11).
#11 Northfield (9-4-1) made it to the finals of the Watkins Tournament, a run that included a win over host Cushing. The Hoggers have a key game Wednesday at Berkshire.
Dexter checks in at #12 and will travel to Rivers on Wednesday. #13 Millbrook (10-4-1) moves into the poll based on some solid play at the Belmont Hill/Nichols Tournament.
Rounding out the Top 15 are Williston at #14 and Brooks at #15.
GAMES TO WATCH
Monday, January 6th
Millbrook at Kent, 5:30pm
Wednesday, January 8th
Northfield at Berkshire, 3:00pm
Tabor at Cushing, 3:30pm
Saturday, January 11th
Tabor at Kimball Union, 4:30pm
Andover at Phillips Exeter, 4:30pm
Kent at Avon Old Farms, 2:00pm
Sunday, January 12th
Kimball Union vs. Governor’s Academy, 1:30pm at Fenway Park
