By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

This week will mark halftime of another boys basketball season – and the point when teams that surprised early are showing with sustained success that they'll continue to have a say on how the rest of the winter unfolds. 

The top team in this week's list of last week's most impressive definitely fits that description. 

1. Ypsilanti Lincoln (8-0, Class A) – The Railsplitters equaled last season’s win total with arguably their best of a strong start, 60-53 on Friday over rival Ypsilanti.

2. Jackson Lumen Christi (9-0, Class B) – The Titans have risen from solid to elite the last few seasons and have survived four games this winter decided by six or fewer points. 

3. Kalamazoo Central (8-1, Class A) – The Maroons are looking to be back among the Class A contenders with their only loss to improving Lansing Sexton; Kalamazoo Central already has a two-game lead in the Big 16 West.

4. Leroy Pine River (8-0, Class C) – The Bucks did suffer their first loss Monday (in a nonleague game), but still appear on track to repeat as Highland Conference champions. 

5. Detroit Cass Tech (7-1, Class A) – The Technicians aren’t always mentioned in conversations on Detroit’s best, but have been so far this season and beat reigning Class C champion Flint Beecher 75-47 on Saturday.

6. Hillsdale (8-1, Class C) – The Hornets haven’t fallen since opening night to powerhouse Pewamo-Westphalia and face co-Lenawee County Athletic Association leader Dundee on Friday. 

7. Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (6-1, Class D) – The Irish haven’t lost since opening night and beat a solid Muskegon Catholic Central team by a point Saturday.

8. Howell (7-2, Class A) – The Highlanders look like one of the best teams from Livingston County riding five straight wins including their most recent, a five-pointer over Belleville. 

9. Lansing Sexton (4-5, Class B) – The Big Reds have won four of their last six including impressive nonleague victories over Kalamazoo Central and River Rouge.

10. Buchanan (6-1, Class B) – We saw the Bucks in person Friday as they continued a winning streak that began after falling by just a bucket on opening night.

PHOTO: Detroit Cass Tech, here against Harper Woods Chandler Park earlier this season, has opened 7-1. (Photo courtesy of the Detroit Public School League.)