Key games for the week are posted below the rankings.

Here are the first Walker System rankings of the season. This marks what the seedings would look like if the season ended today and include games through Monday night. Things can change quickly as more teams qualify. These are not the official rankings. Those will be released on Saturday, Feb. 20 at the Basketball Hall of Fame. Also, these are not based on my opinion. It's just math.

First category = winning percentage
Second category = strength of schedule
Third category = performance vs. tourney teams

Division 1
1. Amherst (1-1-1)
2. Holyoke (2-2-2)
3. East Longmeadow (3-3-3)
4. Central (4-4-4)
5. Pittsfield (5-5-5)
NOTE: We'll get at least one more team in for second place in the Suburban, but it's too bad that the field might end there. No team should get a bye to the semifinals, especially in Division 1.

Division 2
1. Palmer (1-1-1)
2. Frontier (2-3-2)
3. Monument Mountain (3-2-3)
4. Wahconah (5-3-4)
5. Hampshire (5-5-5)
6. Drury (3-6-8)
7. Belchertown (7-6-7)
8. Cathedral (8-8-6)
NOTE: The hardest thing about doing these is deciding how to compute the out-of-state teams. For instance, if Monument's win over Schenectedy Christian is a Division 2 tournament team (which is what I have, they are third. If SC counts as a D1, Monument jumps Frontier. Complete judgment call for the committee.

Division 3
1. Lee (1-1-1)
2. Sabis (1-2-2)
3. Smith Academy (3-3-3)
4. Hopkins (4-5-4)
5. Ware (5-4-5)
6. Monson (5-6-6)
7. Holyoke Catholic (7-7-7)
8. Gateway Regional (Tri-County champ)
NOTE: Interesting the way Ware-Monson played out. I checked deeper after the initial numbers and the big difference is the results vs. Cathedral and Belchertown, two D2 tourney teams. Ware beat both, while Monson lost to both. Would the committee flip them in this situation since Monson swept the regular-season series?

Key games this week
Tuesday, Feb. 9
Chicopee Comp at Longmeadow - Big game for second place in the Suburban League, especially for the Lancers, who would fall below .500 with a loss. Longmeadow won first matchup.
East Longmeadow at Ludlow - Lions need just one more win to reach postseason, but it could come down to the wire with remaining schedule.
Smith Academy at Athol - Franklin South and North leaders square off. Falcons won by 17 in first meeting in Hatfield.
Hampshire at Belchertown - A nice double GazetteLand local between two D2 tourney teams.
Easthampton at Hopkins - Eagles must win out with three games left to get into tournament, starting here. Eagles won first meeting.
McCann at Southwick - Hornets can clinch postseason bid with a win.

Wednesday, Feb. 10
Chicopee Comp at Minnechaug - Falcons must win out with four games left to get into tournament, starting here.
West Springfield at Agawam - Terriers must win all of their final three games to get into tournament, starting here.
Monument at Hoosac Valley - Hurricanes on the bubble and need a win. Tough time to have to face the Spartans.
Athol at Pioneer Regional - Panthers in must-win situation for final four games. Lost to Athol by six last time.

Thursday, Feb. 11
Ludlow at Holyoke - Another tough one for the Lions. That Valley Wheel League is ridiculous.
Palmer at Hampshire - Red Raiders hope to prove that last time, a 28-point loss, was not indicative of their ability.
Lee at Wahconah - Can anyone (minus upbeaten Amherst) play with the Wildcats? Here's the Warriors' last shot.

Friday, Feb. 12
East Longmeadow at Central - The Golden Eagles get another shot at the Spartans, this time with standout Bri Malone on the court.
Belchertown at Monument - A good pre-tourney test for a pair of teams that reached the Cage last year.
Ware at Sabis - Justine King against Alexis Chappell? Worth the price of admission, easily.

Saturday, Feb. 13
Belchertown at Holyoke Catholic - Orioles backcourt will be tested by Kaitlyn Veit

Monday, Feb. 15
Drury at Hoosac - Blue Devils can drastically harm the Hurricanes' postseason hopes with a win here.