On Tuesday morning, the MIAA released its updated Power Rankings, and for the first time, gymnastics has been included. In the North section, Andover is No. 2 with an average meet score of 140.64. Central Catholic is No. 5 (138.29), followed by North Andover at No. 12 (132.68), Haverhill at No. 16 (130.01), and Methuen at No. 26 (118.90).
The MVC Championship Meet will be held on Tuesday, February 3, at the A-2 Gymnastics and Cheer Facility in Salem, N.H., starting at 5 p.m.
In the other sports – hockey and basketball – the top 32 teams, along with teams that finish with a .500 record or better, regardless of ranking, will qualify for next month’s state tournament.
In girls’ hockey, Methuen/Tewksbury (11-0-0) is ranked No. 4 in Division 1, followed by No. 5 HPNA (10-1-2) and No. 29 Central Catholic (5-5-2). Looking in from the outside is Andover (4-7-1).
This Saturday (6:30 p.m.), the Red Rangers and HPNA will face off for the second time this season at Merrimack College, with a puck drop at 6:30 p.m.
In boys’ hockey, Central Catholic (6-7) is ranked No. 21 in Division 1, while North Andover (3-6-2) and Andover (1-9-1) need a lot of help. In Division 2, Whittier Tech/Amesbury is ranked No. 22 with its 8-6-0 record. In Division 3, Methuen is ranked No. 12 (8-3-1) and Haverhill is No. 26 (7-4-0).
In boys’ basketball, Central Catholic (10-2) remains at the No. 1 spot in Division 1. Andover (12-1) is ranked No. 9, followed by No. 25 Lawrence (8-5) and No. 30 Haverhill (7-6). Methuen (5-7) and North Andover (2-10) are looking in from the outside.
In Division 3, Gr. Lawrence (8-5) is ranked at No. 20, while Whittier Tech is struggling with a 1-11 record.
Finally, in girls’ basketball, Andover (11-1) is ranked No. 9 in Division 1, followed by No. 31 Central Catholic (5-8). Haverhill is ranked No. 46 and would qualify for the postseason if the season ended today with its 6-6 record. Methuen (5-8), North Andover (1-11), and Lawrence (2-11) are looking in from the outside.
In Division 3, Whittier Tech (9-3) is ranked No. 25, and in Division 4, Greater Lawrence (5-4) is ranked No. 27.