MY 2 CENTS: Races coming down to wire

At least, they spend time wishing it was next weekend so that they can commence Super Bowl festivities. 

Unless you’re one of the few that celebrate the Pro Bowl. 

Well, there’s another reason to look forward to next week. Four of our five girls basketball conference battles will come to a conclusion, and three of those battles have local teams vying for a title. 

Let’s take a closer look. 

Big Northern West 

What can be better than the two top teams, tied for the conference lead, playing each other in the last week of the season?

That’s what the BNC West provides this week. Oregon and Byron are both 8-1 and both play two games this week. 

Oregon owns a 53-39 win over Byron on Jan. 4, but soon after that, the Hawks lost to Lutheran. 

The Tigers and Hawks meet Tuesday in Byron, with the winner taking the driver’s seat for the title. After that, Byron plays at Mendota on Friday, and the Hawks host Winnebago on Saturday. 

Better yet, there’s a good chance they’ll meet again in a regional final a week later.

My prediction: The second Oregon-Byron matchup will be closer, but I think the result is the same. The Hawks are my BNC West champs.

Three Rivers

In the Three Rivers, Prophetstown and Riverdale are tied at 10-1. The Prophets play twice this week – at Fulton on Tuesday and against Erie on Thursday.

Riverdale hosts Newman on Tuesday and Fulton on Thursday. 

Last year, the Prophets suffered a late loss to Erie that dropped them into a tie with the Rams. 

This year, it has been Fulton, of late, knocking off teams. The Newman-Riverdale game could be a regional title preview for the following week.

My prediction: I think both frontrunners will be tested. Prophetstown and Erie always play spirited games, and I think Newman will want to prove something against Riverdale. Ultimately, I think both teams win out and tie, once again, for the Three Rivers crown.