Little Chute, De Pere are No. 1 in FOX 11's Top 11

GREEN BAY - Now that the basketball season is off and running it’s time to debut this year’s FOX 11 Top 11 boys and girls basketball teams.

On the boys’ side, Little Chute opens as the area’s top team, while three reigning state champs open 1-3 on the girls’ side: De Pere, New London and Kewaunee.

Among the notable ranked teams on the boys’ side are Ashwaubenon at No. 2, Appleton East at No. 3 and Green Bay Southwest at No. 4 — three teams that didn't figure in their conference races a year ago. Also, reigning Division 3 state champ Brillion checks in at No. 11.

As for the girls, Kimberly, the favorite in the Fox Valley Association, is ranked No. 5, but watch out for Appleton North, which is ranked No. 8. Also, Division 4 state runner-up Lourdes Academy is No. 6.

Top 11 Boys Teams
1. Little Chute (4-0): Mustangs loaded to make run to Division 3 state tournament.
2. Ashwaubenon (3-0): Jaguars off to good start with Bennett Koch and Kyle Monroe.
3. Appleton East (4-0): Patriots make early-season impression after struggling last season.
4. Green Bay Southwest (2-0): Trojans have shot at contending in FRCC.
5. Appleton West (3-1): Terrors have look of team to beat in the Fox Valley Association.
6. De Pere (1-1): Redbirds have options with Beyer, Coleman and Pritzl
7. Neenah (3-0): With Appleton West transfer Matt Heldt, Rockets off to good start.
8. Seymour (3-1): Sandy Cohen and Dakota Oskey are lethal 1-2 punch.
9. NEW Lutheran (4-0): Have won three of four games by 19 points or more.
10. Appleton North (3-1): Lightning made impression with big win at Appleton West.
11. Brillion (4-1): Defending Division 3 state champs once again team to beat in Olympian.

Top 11 Girls Teams
1. De Pere: Division 1 state champs loaded for another run with Morgan Anderson and Kayla Dawson.
2. New London (2-0): Defending Division 2 state champs’ winning streak has reached 44 games.
3. Kewaunee (2-0): Defending Division 3 state champs still have Jill Kleiman, Kelsey Stangel and Alex Richard.
4. Bay Port (4-0): With Chelsea Claire Jordan, Pirates will be in FRCC hunt.
5. Kimberly (2-0): Frankie Wurtz and Papermakers team to beat in FVA.
6. Lourdes Academy (2-0): The Division 4 state runner-up won’t slow down with Maddy Reed and return of Lauren Fischer, who missed most of last season with a knee injury.
7. Notre Dame (1-1): Tritons lost tough game to Beaver Dam, but they will make deep postseason run.
8. Appleton North (2-1): Just like in soccer, Meg Riebau leading the Lightning.
9. Sheboygan North (3-0): Golden Raiders will be in the FRCC mix as usual.
10. Pulaski (2-0): Red Raiders open season with two 20-point wins.
11. Xavier (4-0): Hawks off to fast start with four wins by at least 17 points.

Follow Doug Ritchay on Twitter @dougritchay

doug.ritchay@wluk.com