RallyNorth.net

Power Rankings, January 10, 2007

1.Pentucket (9-0): Defending Division 3 North champion is perfect this season including a Haverhill Holiday Hoops Classic title. The smallest margin of victory this far is seven against Timberlane Dec. 26.

2.Masconomet (6-1): Boston University-bound forward Caroline Stewart continues to produce big numbers and running mates Annie Burns and Jamie White provide additional firepower for one of the Cape Ann League's powerhouses.

3.Swampscott (8-1): A minor setback against Pentucket during Christmas break hasn't slowed arguably the best team in the Northeastern Conference. Tara Nimkar and Allie Beaulieu form one of the most dangerous duos on the North Shore.

4.Andover (8-1): Golden Warriors have stayed strong in the face of adversity. Getting Meghan Thomann back from an injury will give them a boost.

5.Peabody (7-1): The Tanners play all 12 of their players regularly, and it obviously weighs on their opponents. Peabody's only loss came at the hands of Winnacunnet (NH) in its own holiday tourney. Guards Michelle Grifoni and Tawny Palmieri are capable of burning teams in many different ways.

6.Ipswich (8-0): Amber Smith and her gaudy scoring average (22.8 ppg) get the headlines, but the Tigers are a well-built machine. They face a big test on Friday when they play at Masconomet.

7.**Gloucester (4-4) -- The Fishermen played Peabody tight on Tuesday night, giving hope for a return to the glory days of 2005 and 2006. Those Fishermen squads advanced to the EMass. Division 2 North semifinals.

8.Newburyport (5-3): The Clippers nearly pulled off a huge upset of Wilmington Tuesday night, climbing back from a seven-point fourth-quarter deficit to push the game to overtime. A win in that game would've had the Clippers a few spots higher.

9.Georgetown (5-3): Taryn O'Connell is averaging a double-double and has been known to post rebounding efforts in the 20s. Julie Fehlmann provides the scoring for a team that makes every opponent work for its victory.

10.Manchester Essex (4-4): Put an asterick next to this ranking, because the Hornets are not one of the 10 best teams on the North Shore. However, with a Division 4 Tournament placement, they could be the team most likely to win a state title.

Honorable mention: Danvers (4-3), Hamilton-Wenham (4-4), Triton (3-5), North Andover (3-5).