There are three possible explanations for Placer High’s upset win over Bear River last Friday in the Bruins’ last home game of the season:
–The Bruins hadn’t recovered from a tough loss to arch-rival Colfax, a game they circle every year;
–After a slow start, the Hillmen are coming on strong;
–Bear River’s soft non-league schedule makes the Bruins look better than they actually are.
Whatever the reason, Bear River finds itself 0-2 in Pioneer Valley League play and in need of at least two wins in its last three games–all on the road–to secure a spot in the playoffs. This week’s game at Center doesn’t figure to be one of those wins: I have Center by 19.5 points.
In other PVL games:
–Colfax over Foothill by 41.5 points;
–Lincoln over Placer by 3 points.
Team power ratings going into tonight’s games:
PIONEER VALLEY LEAGUE
Team Base Rating Opponents Power Rating
Center 110.0 +13.3 123.3
Colfax 115.0 -2.0 113.0
Bear River 108.0 -1.1 106.9
Lincoln 125.6 -18.7 106.9
Placer 103.8 +3.0 106.8
Foothill 71.9 +2.8 74.7
Nevada Union has shown in its last three games that it can be competitive–when it’s facing the other team’s reserves. Can anybody remember the last time the Miners went winless in a season?
Loss number eight figures to come tonight against Roseville, which appears to be 25 points better.
In other Sierra Foothill League games:
–Rocklin over Woodcreek by 25.5 points;
–Granite Bay at Del Oro is a toss-up.
Team power ratings going into tonight’s games:
SIERRA FOOTHILL LEAGUE
Team Base Rating Opponents Power Rating
Rocklin 116.3 +2.5 118.8
Granite Bay 105.3 +7.7 113.0
Del Oro 102.9 +7.6 110.5
Roseville 92.9 +12.9 105.8
Woodcreek 93.3 +3.0 96.3
Nevada Union 63.0 +14.2 77.9
REPORT CARD: I went 5-1 with my picks last week, bringing the season record to 9-3, an impressive 75 percent win rate. But the only loser (Bear River) was one of the games I felt most confident about, so you never know. As they say on Wall Street, past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Last Week: 5-1; Season: 9-3.
