By: Ross Van De Griek
We are just about a week away from the start of the 2019-2020 high school girls basketball season. Last season, there were three teams from the Tampa Bay area that either won the state championship last year or were a state runner-up (2A Bayshore Christian, 4A Carrollwood Day & 8A Tampa Bay Tech). This week's rankings will be the preseason rankings, as the first official rankings will be revealed on Tuesday, November 19. Rankings will be revealed every Tuesday throughout the regular season, except the following dates (December 24 & December 31) due to the holiday break.
1. Plant
Head Coach: Carrie Mahon
Last Season: 25-5
Postseason Result: Lost 51-49 to St. Cloud in the Regional Finals
The Plant Panthers are the #1 team in Tampa Bay, and will be led by senior guard Honor Culpepper, who missed most of last season with a torn ACL & will also be led by junior forward Kendal Cheesman. The Plant Panthers are expected to be the favorites to win the District 7A-7 title this season. Plant opens up the season on Friday, November 22 vs Jefferson.
2. Tampa Bay Tech
Head Coach: Reggie Lawrence
Last Season: 29-3
Postseason Result: Won 58-52 over St. Thomas Aquinas in the 2019 FHSAA Girls Basketball Class 8A State Championship
The Tampa Bay Tech Titans will be looking to repeat as state champions, where they will be led by sophomore forward Janiah Barker, senior forward Cherokee Patterson & forward Amiya Evans. Tampa Bay Tech will open up the season next Tuesday night at Strawberry Crest.
3. Seffner Christian
Head Coach: Greg Cooper
Last Season: 21-9
Postseason Result: Lost 59-45 to Carrollwood Day in the Class 4A-3 Regional Finals
The Lady Crusaders have one of the most challenging schedules in the Tampa Bay area, as head coach Joe Cooper calls it "A good thing, it challenges my girls to be ready for when the postseason comes." Over the course of the season, the Crusaders will be playing Lakewood, Brooks-DeBartolo, Santa Fe Catholic, Bishop Verot, Florida Prep & competing in the Tampa Bay Christmas Tournament.
4. Lakewood
Head Coach: Necole Tunsil
Last Season: 19-10
Postseason Result: Lost 63-43 to Bradenton Southeast in the Class 6A-2 Regional Semifinals
The Lady Spartans will have "high expectations" this season under head coach Necole Tunsil. The Lady Spartans will look to get back to the state championship game, where they appeared last in 2017, finishing as a runner-up losing to nationally ranked Ribault (Jacksonville). Lakewood will start the regular season on Monday, November 18 @ Osceola.
5. Brooks-DeBartolo
Head Coach: Ellie Wilbur
Last Season: 22-8
Postseason Result: Lost 70-42 to Oxbridge Academy in the Class 5A Regional Finals
The Phoenix will be playing this season for the first time since 2012 where Maggie Hedley is not serving as the head coach. Over the summer, Hedley resigned as the school's head girls basketball coach but still remains as the school's athletic director. This season, will be Ellie Wilbur's 1st season as a head coach, who previously served as an assistant under Coach Hedley. The Phoenix will start the regular season on Wednesday, November 20 hosting Bishop Verot.
6. East Lake
Head Coach: Ryan Quigley
Last Season: 20-7
Postseason Result: Lost 73-57 to Strawberry Crest in the Class 8A Regional Semifinals
The Eagles will be led by 3rd year head coach Ryan Quigley & this will be the first season he coaches without his sister guard Summer, who is now playing college basketball at Saint Leo University. The Eagles will now turn into junior guard Whitney Rush, junior forward Koby Hendrix & senior guard Raygen Bostick to lead the charge this season. East Lake will start the regular season on Tuesday, November 19 @ Freedom High School.
7. Wesley Chapel
Head Coach: Peter Livingston
Last Season: 22-3
Postseason Result: Lost 59-58 to Crystal River in the Class 5A Regional Quarterfinals
The Lady Wildcats will be under 6th year head coach Peter Livingston, who led them to their 1st postseason appearance in school history last season. The Wildcats will be led by senior guard Ariana Heppenstall. The Wildcats will open up the season on Wednesday, November 20 @ Anclote High School.
8. Newsome
Head Coach: Scott Palmer
Last Season: 14-9
Postseason Result: Lost 35-23 to Dr. Phillips in the Class 9A Regional Quarterfinals
The Lady Wolves will be under 3rd year head coach Scott Palmer & will be eyeing their second straight postseason appearance. The Lady Wolves will also bed led by senior power forward Maia Smith, junior forward Madison Vaira & senior Acetta Farrait. Newsome will open up the season on Tuesday, November 19 vs Chamberlain.
9. Carrollwood Day
Head Coach: Karim Nohra
Last Season: 27-2
Postseason Result: Lost 62-30 to Miami Country Day in the Class 4A State Championship game.
The Lady Patriots will return all of their players from last year's state runner-up team, after losing no seniors due to graduation. The Lady Patriots led the Tampa Bay area averaging 75.9 points per game last season. Carrollwood Day will open up the season on Wednesday, November 20 vs Chamberlain.
10. Clearwater
Head Coach: Darian Dublin
Last Season: 20-3
Postseason Result: Lost 53-47 to Charlotte in the Class 6A Regional Semifinals
The Lady Tornadoes will have a new face this season at the head coach position, as first year head coach Kayla Braden took over for Allen Williams who resigned at the end of last season. The Lady Tornadoes will open up the season on Monday, November 18 vs Countryside.
On The Bubble: Armwood, Land O'Lakes, River Ridge, Santa Fe Catholic, Sunlake, Tampa Prep, Weeki Wachee
TBT is #6 in the country ,according to Max Preps, but only #2 in the area, according to you?