D-5 Rankings

[Backstop]

PAGMETER not withstanding, my early season D-5 rankings would look like this:
1- Chavez (3-1): All games against higher level opponents.
2- Caruthers (3-0): Solid proven ball club.
3- Arvin (2-2): Player upper division schools.
4- Immanuel (3-0) Opponents are a combined 1-8
5- Firebaugh (2-2) Return a solid team.
6- Exeter (2-1) Fall to Firebaugh, squeak by weaker opponents.
7- Shaffer (1-3) Playing higher level teams
8- Mendota (1-3) Beat winless Lindsay, fall to D-6 Strathmore at home.
9- Woodlake (0-3) Playing close against teams that are a combined 8-2

[Bikerdude]

It's hard to argue with your list.  It's early and teams are shaking out their rosters.  Because these are smaller schools, some have players on playoff basketball teams.  I think we'll have to wait a bit to have an accurate ranking list.

I've seen three of these teams, Firebaugh, Exeter and Woodlake, and each appear to be better than last year so far.

[baseball123]

  i disagree on that i think that caruthers should be number 1 it dont matter who you play a win is a win and a loss is a loss thats baseball life right there if you dont like it go to a different sport

[Backstop]

  i disagree on that i think that caruthers should be number 1 it dont matter who you play a win is a win and a loss is a loss thats baseball life right there if you dont like it go to a different sport

It's called "Strength of Schedule," son.  And, btw, I'm not diminishing anything Caruthers has accomplished this season.  My opinion is that Caruthers will probably make it to the Division finals but, right now, based on strength of schedule, Chavez has the edge.

[Eagle53]

I would probably put Caruthers ahead of Chavez in D5. My next three in no particular order would be Immanuel, Firebaugh and Chavez. I think Arvin will probably end up somewhere in the middle. The one team that I think can be a sleeper is Mendota. And by sleeper I'm not talking about possibly competing for the division but they will be better than expected. They have a relatively young team and a new head coach. Unfortunately they have almost played as many games as they have had practices. Coach Reyes is still currently coaching girls basketball as they are still playing in the state playoffs. They only return four players from last years team but theres some pretty good talent with the freshman and sophomore class as well as some good athletes from the junior class. D5 should be very competitive this year. Good luck to all!

[FalconFan]

Like one member said, it's too early to accurately rank teams in this Division. IMO, if feel that Caruthers may be deserving of the #1 spot but you have to look at who they have played so far, and I feel the same way about Immanuel. Really can't assess Chavez and Arvin but they should be in the mix when the smoke clears. However, I have to think Firebaugh is a true contender based on who we have played. Our 3 losses are to teams that are a combined 11-3 and the Eagles could have very easily won 2 of those games. Anyhow, these rankings give us something to talk about but I think everyone will soon realize that the EAGLES are legit!!

[bballfan25]

I am from the Reedley/Dinuba area and have been able to see Immanuel and Dinuba play a lot this year.  Immanuel's pitching is ridiculous! So far I have seen Langdon and Aleman and it seems they are  sitting in the mid to high 80's in all of their outings. They also have two what look to be freshman playing up that both pitch and look really good.  After April first they will get Michael Foglio, a transfer from Central eligible who is 6'4" and absolutely deals. I don't know much about Caruthers other than they have played down so far. I will go see the game next week at Kingsburg which should be the first test for the Blue Raiders. As far as Dinuba goes, well they are coached really well, but it will be a tough year with the lack of pitching. For the first time in a long time, the CSL is wide open. I am looking for Gene Cachu to have a huge year for Dinuba as well. I agree with the rankings in D5. Until CSL play starts these teams will be hard to place, although Immanuel has beaten CVC once this year. Over spring break there will be some great D5 games going on at IHS in the Selma tourney. Shafter, Immanuel, Firebaugh, and Mendota will all be in the tourney.

[Backstop]

Thiere is some great insight in these last posts.  One thing is for certain, this year is going to be very exciting in D-5.  Immanuel, Caruthers, Firebaugh, Chavez, Exeter (now that the basketball players are done) all have legitimate craps at the Valley Title.  Once league starts, there is to be a dogfight!

[bballfan25]

I got to see Caruthers @ Kingsburg yesterday. To be honest I am still not convinced Caruthers is the real deal. I hate to say that about a team that is 8-0. (They have counted a 4 inning scrimmage in their overall record vs. Liberty) Caruthers did not hit one ball hard, the pitchers were probably mid 70's. Kingsburg has 4 starters hurt, and were playing a lot of freshmen. I am very confused with D 5 this year. Caruthers with a 8-0 record is # 1. # 2,3,4,5? Who knows...! I ran into an Immanuel coach there and asked who they are pitching Friday night at Kingsburg and it sounds like Adam Aleman. Has anyone seen him throw? He throws really hard and looks like he could be a sleeper in the valley.  We will know more about D5 as teams begin league play this week. My question is..Will Caruthers win their league? Are they better than Fowler? I would like to hear what people think. Also what about Firebaugh? It looks like the top 4 teams in the division will be Caruthers, Firebaugh, Immanuel and Exeter. I am excited to see what happens.

[FalconFan]

Agreed, Caruthers has only played 1 team with a winning record and the other teams they have played have a combined record of 12-33 so your're absolutely right with your evaluation of the Blue Raiders. Don't get me wrong, they have a quality team but until they play a team like Immanuel or Firebaugh we can't truely think of them as the best D5 team. I know I'm alittle baised about Firebaugh but I have watched them play every game and know that we match up well with the likes of Caruthers. The Eagles are a well coached team that is impoving with each game and we would welcome the challenge to compete with the top D5 teams.

[Backstop]

Updated 3-13:

1- Caruthers (9-0) They just keep winning!
2-Firebaugh (6-4) Winning against tough teams
3- Chavez (5-2) Strength of Schedule.
4- Immanuel (5-0) Weak schedule so far
5- Exeter (3-2-1) Could move when league starts
6- Roosevelt (6-1) Winning against Junior High teams
7- Arvin (3-5) Tough schedule

The next 10 teams....all long shots.....

At this point, the top 5 teams all have a legit shot at Valley.  Any other team would really have to prove they are contenders at this point.

[Backstop]

Times-Delta reports that Woodlake sophomore RHP Eddie Pena pitched a 2-0 no-hitter vs Strathmore yesterday.

[bballfan25]

I want to re visit the D5 rankings now that most teams have played about the same number of games. Caruthers is 11-0, still really have not played anyone good. The fact that they have not lost gives them the # 1 spot. Chavez, has been winning big, from what I understand they are yet to play anyone really good yet either. Firebaugh's competition has dropped off a bit as they have started playing schools closer to their size. Immanuel started league and is 2-1 beat Kingsburg and Exeter. Lost to Selma 8-2. Most of the other D5 teams aren't making much noise. Anyone have input, here is what I think.
1. Caruthers
2.Immanuel
3.Firebaugh
4. Chavez
5. Roosevelt
6. Exeter

[Backstop]

I want to re visit the D5 rankings now that most teams have played about the same number of games. Caruthers is 11-0, still really have not played anyone good. The fact that they have not lost gives them the # 1 spot. Chavez, has been winning big, from what I understand they are yet to play anyone really good yet either. Firebaugh's competition has dropped off a bit as they have started playing schools closer to their size. Immanuel started league and is 2-1 beat Kingsburg and Exeter. Lost to Selma 8-2. Most of the other D5 teams aren't making much noise. Anyone have input, here is what I think.
1. Caruthers
2.Immanuel
3.Firebaugh
4. Chavez
5. Roosevelt
6. Exeter

Minor Differences:
1- Caruthers
2- Immanuel
3- Chavez
4- Firebaugh
5- Exeter
6- Roosevelt (Still playing JV teams)
7- Woodlake (3 straight strong outings, including no-no by Pena)
8- Arvin (Fading fast)
9- Mendota (Idk why)
10- Lindsay (Losing to weak teams, squeaking by weaker teams)
11- Parlier
12- Orange Cove
13- Shafter (haven't won in forever)
14- Fresno Christian
15- Sierra
16- Granite Hills (may not win a game)
17- Kennedy ( may not score 10 runs for the season)

[FalconFan]

IMO D5 Ranking:
 
           1. Caruthers (Undeafted but strength of schedule alittle suspect)
           2. Firebaugh (3 losses by 1 run)
           3. Immanuel (Pitching strong this year)
           4. Chavez (5 wins against teams with 3-30 record)
           5. Exeter (Solid team)
           6. Roosevelt (Playing consistent)
           7. Woodlake (Starting to gain some momentum)

** We'll know more after Easter Week Tournaments, good luck D5!!

[Backstop]

Falconer, next Wed (3-27) Firebaugh-Immanuel in the Selma Tourney.  I may have to make that game.

[FalconFan]

Looking forward to it!

[Bikerdude]

Immanuel-Exeter was a game of two different halves.  Aleman can throw and hit.  He owned the Exeter pitching on Thursday.  His pitching was strong, but a disciplined team may have a better day against him.  Exeter scored 6 runs in the bottom of the 7th off Schellenberg.  Immanuel also gets it's Central transfer in April.  They are a good team.

Exeter is still sorting itself out it seemed.  At this time only a few consistent hitters.  They did open the Visalia/Tulare tournament with a come from behind 10-9 win against Mira Monte and a solid 3-2 win over Mission Oak.

Immanuel and Exeter play in a tough league.They both should be tough by season's end.

[Eagle53]

Anyone have any info on the Immanual/Firebaugh game today?

[bballfan25]

Firebaugh 1 Immanuel 0. Both teams pitchers threw really good. Once Aleman settled in they basically could not touch him. Perez for Firebaugh was really good as well. I was there and by watching the pitching in this game it could have been a TRACK match up. Offense...well that's a different story. D5 will surprise some people this year, Very good pitching. Immanuel plays in a tough league but do get Foglio from Central eligible this week, I also was hearing at the game they have a kid from Clovis who is also a pitcher and will be able to play this week. I now have seen Caruthers, Firebaugh, Exeter, Immanuel, and Chavez play. I would say based on pitching alone it will be between Immanuel and Firebaugh. What does everyone else think??