By: Ross Van De Griek
The high school basketball season is upon us, as preseason games will tipoff this week across the state of Florida. We had six teams from the Tampa Bay area reach the state semifinals or the state finals in Lakeland last season. These rankings are the preseason rankings, as our first official rankings will be revealed next Monday (November 25). Expect rankings to be revealed every Monday throughout the season, except the following date (December 30).
1. Hillsborough
Head Coach: Chris Ward
Last Season: 28-3
Postseason Result: Lost 47-44 to Dillard in the 2019 FHSAA State Semifinals
The Terriers are expected to compete to be one of the best teams in the Tampa Bay area again this season, despite losing 9 seniors due to graduation. The Terriers however will be returning their second leading scorer in forward Tyriq James. Hillsborough will open up the season on Tuesday, December 3 @ Bloomingdale.
2. East Lake
Head Coach: Britt Taylor
Last Season: 24-5
Postseason Result: Lost 57-47 to Lakewood Ranch in the 2019 FHSAA Regional Finals
Season Opener: 12/3 vs Seminole
The Eagles will be led by sixth year head coach Britt Taylor & will be returning their two best players from last season in Murray State commit Dionte Blanch & junior forward Dean Gabrelcik. The Eagles are expected to be the preseason District 6A-9 favorites. "This year could be our best year in school history", said head coach Britt Taylor going into the season. East Lake opens up the season on Tuesday, December 3 vs Seminole.
3. St. Petersburg
Head Coach: Chris Blackwell
Last Season: 24-5
Postseason Result: Lost 55-50 to East Lake in the 2019 FHSAA Regional Semifinals
Season Opener: 12/2 vs Pinellas Park
The St. Petersburg Green Devils come into this season, as one of the top teams in the area & could be destined to make another run to Lakeland. The Green Devils will be led by senior guard Deondre Earley, junior guard Omarrie Sherrod & junior guard Kendrick Gordon. St. Petersburg opens up the season on Monday, December 2 vs Pinellas Park.
4. Tampa Catholic
Head Coach: Don Dziagwa
Last Season: 24-7
Postseason Result: Lost 69-55 to Andrew Jackson in the 2019 FHSAA State Semifinals
Season Opener: 12/3 vs Booker
The Tampa Catholic Crusaders are coming off their fourth straight trip to the state semifinals. Tampa Catholic expects to have a starting five of all seniors, that will be led by senior guard Kobe Knox (Brother of New York Knicks forward Kevin Knox). The Crusaders have put themselves another challenging schedule this year, as they will be traveling to Montverde Academy, hosting IMG Academy, traveling to the Blue Star Invitational in Rock Hill, South Carolina & also playing in the ARS National Hoopfest at Berkeley Prep.
5. Berkeley Prep
Head Coach: Renaldo Garcia
Last Season: 19-9
Postseason Result: Lost 66-64 to Tampa Catholic in the 2019 FHSAA Regional Semifinals
Season Opener: 11/26 vs Bell Creek Academy
The Berkeley Prep Buccaneers will continue to compete with the Tampa Bay area's best teams, as they will be traveling to the Capital City Classic in Tallahassee this season. They will also play Huntington Prep (WV) & Cornerstone Christian (TX) in this year's ARS Hoopfest in February.
6. Tampa Prep
Head Coach: Joe Fenlon
Last Season: 21-8
Postseason Result: Lost 80-75 to The Master's Academy in the 2019 FHSAA Regional Quarterfinals
Season Opener: 12/3 vs Bishop McLaughlin
The Terrapins will be led once again by hall of fame coach Joe Fenlon, who returns senior guard Isaac Ward, senior guard Gabriel Sharp & junior forward Jakob Stiglich. Tampa Prep's goal is to get to the state championship, where they haven't been since winning it all in 2012. Tampa Prep will open up the season on December 3 vs Bishop McLaughlin.
7. Lakewood
Head Coach: Anthony Lawrence
Last Season: 27-4
Postseason Result: Lost 63-54 to Stranahan in the 2019 FHSAA State Championship
Season Opener: 12/3 vs Northeast
The Lakewood Spartans will have to look to rely on new faces this season, as both Jermaine Phillips & Jalen White are no longer with the program. However the Spartans will return Iowa State football commit TJ Tampa, alongside senior forward Jamille Reynolds (UCF commit) & junior guard Oteman Delancy. Lakewood will open up the season on Tuesday, December 3 vs Northeast.
8. Tampa Bay Tech
Head Coach: Adrian Johnson
Last Season: 18-8
Postseason Result: Lost 65-53 to St. Petersburg in the 2019 FHSAA Regional Quarterfinals
Season Opener: 12/3 vs Brandon
The Tampa Bay Tech Titans left last season, with some "unfinished business" to take care of, according to head coach Adrian Johnson. However, the Titans will be traveling to St. Petersburg as the first of multiple challenges on the schedule this season for their preseason classic.
9. Wharton
Head Coach: Tommy Tonelli
Last Season: 26-5
Postseason Result: Lost 59-57 to Windermere in the 2019 FHSAA Regional Finals
Season Opener: 12/3 vs Alonso
There have been multiple questions, asking where is the Wharton offense gonna come from? The Wildcats lost Darin Green at the end of last season, who is now playing college basketball at UCF. However, the Wildcats do return senior forward Carr Thiam, senior guard Gio Reyes & senior guard Josh Barnett to lead the Wildcats this season. Wharton will open up the season on Tuesday, December 3 vs Alonso.
10. Jesuit
Head Coach: Neal Goldman
Last Season: 23-6
Postseason Result: Lost 45-44 to Lake Wales in the 2019 FHSAA Regional Semifinals
Season Opener: 11/26 @ Mitchell
The Tigers will be looking to see who will lead the team in scoring this season, as both Jack Cooper & Andrew Dansoh both graduated after last season. However, the Tigers do get back junior guard Ryan Weir & added 3-star quarterback Kiael Kelly to the roster this season.
On The Bubble: Admiral Farragut, Anclote, Land O'Lakes, Nature Coast Tech, Santa Fe Catholic, Seffner Christian, Springstead, Wiregrass Ranch
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