Back-to-back appearances in the Class 2A state championship game has earned the West Hancock girls basketball program a wealth of respect.

The Titans were tabbed the No. 1 team in the Class 2A preseason poll, released Tuesday by The Associated Press.

West Hancock received six of the 10 first-place votes to edge Rock Island Alleman for the top spot.

The Pioneers received two first-place votes. No. 3 Bloomington Central Catholic and No. 5 Nashville received the other first-place votes.

West Hancock won the state championship in 2008, beating Rochester 44-37. Last year, the Titans lost to Addison Driscoll 40-35 in the title game.

Quincy Notre Dame, which is riding a 55-game regular-season winning streak, is ranked ninth, while Illini West is among the others receiving votes.

-- The Herald-Whig Staff