HS: Spring SIMA FAB 50, May 9

by Sheldon Shealer

May 9, 2017

NEWS: The SIMA FAB 50 No. 1 ranking for boys might be decided this weekend. Then again, it might drag out util mid-June.

Top-ranked Wando (Mount Pleasant, S.C.) is two wins away from a perfect season and a No. 1 ranking, but is certainly won't be easy. Next up for Wando is a clash with SIMA FAB 50 No. 3 River Bluff (Lexington, S.C.). If Wando wins that match, it's probable the team will meet No. 19 J.L. Mann (Greenville, S.C.). Simply put, if Wando wins this week, it will have earned the No. 1 ranking. However, if any team other than Wando wins the South Carolina Class AAAAA title, the wait on No. 1 could run out to the last week of the season. preseason No. 1 Langley (Va.) is poised to return to the top spot if Wando falters, and the lengthy postseason in Virginia means Langley could has as many as 12 matches remaining.

BIG MOVERS: BOYS: Stadium (Tacoma, Wash.). Stadium's high school has been featured in movies, looks like a castle and its stadium field overlooks the bay. Just as perfect as the view is the boys soccer team's record this year, which led to a major jump from No. 37 to No. 18. ... GIRLS: Warren Township (Gurnee, Ill.). Warren is averaging four goals per match during a 9-0-1 run that has this team in the Top 25 for the first time this season.

NEWCOMERS: BOYS: No. 19 J.L. Mann (Greenville, S.C.), No. 38 [Washington-Lee va-m] (Arlington, Va.), No. 40 Bishop Kelley (Tulsa, Okla.), No. 41 Westminster Schools (Atlanta, Ga.), No. 42 Southeast Whitfield (Dalton, Ga.), No. 44 Meadowcreek (Norcross, Ga.), No. 45 Etowah (Woodstock, Ga.), No. 47 Stillwater (Okla.), No. 48 Weber (Pleasant View, Utah) and No. 49 Pebblebrook (Mableton, Ga.). ... GIRLS: No. 21 First Colonial (Virginia Beach, Va.), No. 37 Incarnate Word Academy (St. Louis, Mo.), No. 42 Edmond North (Edmond, Okla.), No. 47 Unity Christian (Hudsonville, Mich.), No. 48 Forest Hills Central (Grand Rapids, Mich.) and No. 49 Forest Hills Northern (Grand Rapids, Mich.).