GREATER VALLEY AREA — The Alabama Sports Writers Association released its first state basketball rankings since mid-December on Wednesday night.

A few local teams made the polls.

In Class 2A, the Lanett High School boys (8-5) are ranked fifth, while the LaFayette boys (12-5) are ranked ninth. Both moved up since the last poll was released. On Dec. 13, Lanett was ranked 10th and LaFayette was unranked.

The Panthers and Bulldogs have combined to win the past three 2A state titles. LaFayette captured the crown in 2015; Lanett has clinched the past two seasons.

The rivals met last Friday, and Lanett pulled out a 64-55 victory. The Area 8 rematch will take place at Lanett on Jan. 19.

In AISA, the Springwood School girls (13-4) are ranked fifth. They were ranked fourth in the last poll but have recently suffered a pair of losses to Lee-Scott and Glenwood.

The Lady Wildcats finished as a state runner-up in 2015, state champion in 2016 and state semifinalist in 2017.

The Valley boys (10-6) did not appear in the 5A poll, but their strong campaign has not gone unnoticed. The Rams were nominated and find themselves on the bubble.