LANCASTER - Believe it or not, the regular-season finish line is in the very near future, with just three games to go in L-L League girls' basketball action.
Tuesday and Friday this week before the league finales a week from Tuesday. Then it'll be all postseason, all the time.
With three section games to go, here's our latest L-L League girls' basketball power poll, through games of Saturday, January 26 ...
1. Lancaster Catholic (13-0, 18-0) - Cruise control for the Crusaders, who are gearing up for another extended postseason ride. Already defended Section 4 crown. Up next: Repeating as league champ. A 22-0 regular-season ride is a distinct possibility. Big, big expectations for this group.
2. Manheim Township (13-0, 15-2) - Blue Streaks have clinched a tie for their third Section 1 championship in a row. League winning streak is at 45 in a row - and counting. And the way the brackets fall, Township could get Lancaster Catholic in the title game with chalk across the board. Long way to go.
3. Lampeter-Strasburg (12-1, 17-1) - Lone loss is to undefeated Lancaster Catholic. Pioneers enjoy a 2-game lead over Northern Lebanon in the Section 3 race. And without looking too far ahead, L-S could get an L-L League semifinal bout vs. Manheim Township. Hmmm.
4. Cocalico (11-2, 15-3) - Breakout season for the Eagles, who have won six games in a row and own a slim 1-game lead over Ephrata in the mucho intriguing Section 2 race. Cocalico has everyone's attention - especially Ephrata's.
5. Hempfield (10-3, 14-4) - Black Knights are riding a 7-game winning streak, and have clinched an L-L League playoff. Long shot to catch Manheim Township for the Section 1 lead, but you never know.
5. Ephrata (10-3, 14-5) - Four wins in a row for the Mounts, who have Cocalico in their crosshairs. Ephrata at Cocalico on February 1. Circle it.
HONORABLE MENTION: Annville-Cleona (8-5, 11-8), Elco (8-5, 11-8), Elizabethtown (7-6, 9-9), Garden Spot (7-6, 8-9), Lebanon Catholic (5-8, 10-8), Northern Lebanon (10-3, 13-6), Solanco (8-5, 11-8).
JEFF REINHART: jreinhart@pennlive.com
ON TWITTER: @JeffReinhartPN