By: Ross Van De Griek
Welcome to Week 4 of the high school boys basketball season across the Tampa Bay area, as well as the state of Florida. We are about 1/3 of the way through the season, as not a lot of movement has been made in this week's rankings. This will be our final rankings reveal until January 6, as the holiday season is quickly approaching. Find out where your team is ranked below.
1. East Lake (5-0)
Last Week: Defeated St. Petersburg 67-30 & Defeated Wiregrass Ranch 65-53
This Week: vs Perry County Central (KY) (Sat.) (Seahawk Holiday Classic in Hilton Head Island, SC)
The East Lake Eagles are coming off a 2-0 week last week, with wins over St. Petersburg & Wiregrass Ranch. Murray State commit Dionte Blanch had a game-high 23 points, in their 65-53 win over Wiregrass Ranch last week. The Eagles will travel up to Hilton Head Island this week to compete in the Seahawk Holiday Classic.
2. Berkeley Prep (5-0)
Last Week: Defeated Canterbury (Fort Myers) 69-60
This Week: vs Tampa Bay Christian (Wed.), vs St. John Paul II (Fri.) (Capital City Classic), vs Maclay (Sat.) (Capital City Classic)
The Berkeley Prep Buccaneers rise up to #2 in this week's Tampa Bay area boys basketball rankings. The Buccaneers are coming in this week, fresh off a 69-60 win over Fort Myers Canterbury. Berkeley Prep will be back in action on Wednesday, as they host Tampa Bay Christian.
3. Tampa Catholic (3-2)
Last Week: Lost to Montverde Academy 97-43 & Lost to IMG Academy 76-70 (2 OT)
This Week: vs Jefferson (Fri.) (City of Tampa Championship), vs TBD (Sat.) (City of Tampa Championship)
I know what you're thinking.. Why is Tampa Catholic ranked #3 in the area, with two losses? Well, the Crusaders played nationally ranked Montverde Academy & IMG Academy in back-to-back games. Morehead State commit Johni Broome had a game-high 32 points, in their 76-70 double overtime loss vs IMG Academy in their last game. The Crusaders will be back in action on Friday, as they take on Jefferson in their first game of the City of Tampa tournament.
4. Wharton (6-0)
Last Week: Defeated Plant 57-40, Defeated Lennard 61-49 & Defeated Strawberry Crest 70-32
This Week: No games scheduled
The Wharton Wildcats are inside the Top 5, of this week's Boys Basketball rankings for the first time this season. Wharton is coming off a 3-0 week, with wins over Plant, Lennard & Strawberry Crest. The Wildcats will be back in action on December 27, for the first day of the Nature Coast Christmas Invitational.
5. Hillsborough (4-1)
Last Week: Defeated King 79-52 & Defeated East Bay 75-42
This Week: vs McKeel Academy (Fri.) (Polk County Hoopfest), vs Winter Haven (Sat.) (Polk County Hoopfest)
The Hillsborough Terriers check into this week's rankings at #5. The Terriers are coming off a 2-0 week, with wins over King & East Bay. Senior forward Cantia Rahming leads the team averaging 29 points per game this season. Hillsborough will be back in action, on Friday night as they will take on McKeel Academy in the first game of the Polk County Hoopfest.
6. Tampa Prep (5-0)
Last Week: Defeated Out-of-Door Academy 84-55 & Defeated Dunedin 73-22
This Week: vs Gaither (Fri.) (City of Tampa Championship), vs TBD (Sat.) (City of Tampa Championship)
The Tampa Prep Terrapins check into this week's rankings at #6. Tampa Prep's strength of schedule has not been a factor so far this season, reasoning why they are ranked 6th this week. Senior Gabriel Sharp is leading the team in scoring, averaging 15.8 points per game this season. Tampa Prep will be back in action on Friday night, as they host Gaither in the first round of the City of Tampa Championship.
7. Sunlake (4-1)
Last Week: Defeated Fivay 60-55, Defeated Calvary Christian 59-58 & Defeated Gaither 63-54
This Week: vs Bishop McLaughlin (Fri.)
The Sunlake Seahawks come in at #7 in this week's Tampa Bay boys basketball rankings, as they are inside the Top 10 for the first time this season. The Seahawks are currently on a three-game winning streak, since suffering their only loss of the season (East Lake). Senior Jordan Golden is leading the team in scoring, averaging 18 points per game this season. Sunlake will be back in action, on Friday night as they host Bishop McLaughlin.
8. Springstead (5-1)
Last Week: Defeated Nature Coast Tech 54-42 & Defeated Hernando 82-58
This Week: vs Citrus (Mon.), @ River Ridge (Wed.), @ Brooksville Central (Fri.)
The Springstead Eagles climb into the Boys Basketball Top 10 rankings for the first time this season, checking in at #8. The Eagles come into this week, on a four-game winning streak. Junior guard Unique Torain is leading the team in scoring, averaging 21 points per game this season. Springstead will be back in action, tonight as they host Citrus.
9. Land O'Lakes (4-0)
Last Week: Defeated Cypress Creek 86-52 & Defeated Fivay 69-50
This Week: vs Pasco (Tues.), @ Zephyrhills (Thu.), vs Wiregrass Ranch (Fri.)
The Land O'Lakes Gators come into this week at #9 in the Tampa Bay area boys basketball rankings. The Gators are coming off a 2-0 week, with wins over Cypress Creek & Fivay. The Gators are also averaging 80.8 points per game, in their first four games of the season. Land O'Lakes will be back in action, tomorrow night as they host Pasco.
10. Plant (4-1)
Last Week: Lost to Wharton 57-40, Defeated Freedom 52-32 & Defeated Sickles 44-41
This Week: vs Robinson (Fri.) (City of Tampa Championship), vs TBD (Sat.) (City of Tampa Championship)
The Plant Panthers remain in the rankings, despite suffering their only loss of the season last week to #4 Wharton. The Plant Panthers are currently in 2nd in District 7A-7, behind Wharton. The Panthers will be back in action, on Friday night as they take on Robinson, in the first round of the City of Tampa Championship (Hosted by Tampa Prep).
On The Bubble: Anclote, Armwood, Blake, Brooks-DeBartolo, Brooksville Central, Calvary Christian, Clearwater, Clearwater Central Catholic, Countryside, Jesuit, Lakewood, Mitchell, Newsome, Seminole, Sickles, St. Petersburg, Tampa Bay Tech
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