By: Ross Van De Griek
Hard to believe, that a month has already gone by in the high school girls basketball season in the Tampa Bay area, as well as the state of Florida. With holiday tournaments looming, this will be our final rankings reveal until after the holiday break. The rankings will return on Tuesday, January 7. Find out where your team is ranked below.
1. Plant (9-0)
Last Week: Defeated Wharton 71-20, Defeated Freedom 74-9, Defeated Sickles 70-18 & Defeated St. Cloud 66-24
This Week: No games scheduled
The Plant Lady Panthers takeover the top spot in this week's Tampa Bay girls basketball rankings, after a 4-0 week. The Lady Panthers are averaging 66.3 points per game & have shot 48% from the field as a team this season. Junior forward Kendal Cheesman leads the team, averaging 15.2 points per game & 9.6 rebounds per game this season. Plant will take on Fayetteville (AR) in the first round of the Naples Shootout, on December 28.
2. Tampa Bay Tech (8-1)
Last Week: Defeated Leto 65-14, Defeated East Bay 79-12, Lost to Southeast Raleigh (NC) 57-52 & Defeated New Hope Academy (MD) 60-45
This Week: @ Bloomingdale (Fri.)
Despite the loss last week, the Tampa Bay Tech Lady Titans drop just one spot in this week's rankings. The Lady Titans will play Friday night, as they travel to Bloomingdale High School. Junior K'Nisha Godfrey leads the team, averaging 14.1 points per game this season.
3. Carrollwood Day (8-0)
Last Week: Defeated Bishop McLaughlin 73-32 & Defeated West Orange 74-37
This Week: vs Berkeley Prep (Thu.), vs Oxbridge Academy (Fri.) (Polk County Hoopfest), vs American Heritage (Plantation) (Sat.) (Polk County Hoopfest)
The Carrollwood Day Lady Patriots check in this week, ranked #3 in the Tampa Bay area for the fourth consecutive week. The Lady Patriots also come in this week, ranked #3 in the state (including all classifications). Carrollwood Day will be back in action, on Thursday night as they host Berkeley Prep.
4. Wesley Chapel (8-0)
Last Week: Defeated Cypress Creek 73-21, Defeated Booker 67-62 & Defeated Wharton 59-50
This Week: @ River Ridge (Tues.), vs Tarpon Springs (Fri.)
The Wesley Chapel Lady Wildcats remain at #4 in this week's Tampa Bay girls basketball rankings. Despite going 3-0 this week, the Wildcats will be tested tonight as they travel to River Ridge High School. Sophomore guard Emari Lewis is leading the team, averaging 14.2 points per game this season.
5. Keswick Christian (8-0)
Last Week: Defeated Northeast 60-44 & Defeated Bradenton Christian 69-40
This Week: vs Indian Rocks Christian (Fri.)
The Keswick Christian Lady Crusaders remain at #5, in this week's Tampa Bay girls basketball rankings. The Lady Crusaders also come into this week, ranked #2 in Class 2A behind FAMU DRS. Senior forward Jakara Akins is leading the team, averaging 16.5 points per game this season. Keswick Christian will be back in action, on Friday night as they host Indian Rocks Christian.
6. Jefferson (7-1)
Last Week: Defeated Chamberlain 36-30, Defeated Strawberry Crest 48-39 & Defeated Robinson 68-38
This Week: No games scheduled
The Jefferson Lady Dragons check in at #6, in this week's Tampa Bay girls basketball rankings. Jefferson is on a six-game winning streak, since suffering their only loss of the season to #1 Plant. Junior Elayza Jackson leads the team, averaging 13 points per game so far this season.
7. Seffner Christian (7-3)
Last Week: Defeated Santa Fe Catholic 55-36, Lost to Father Lopez 63-55 & Defeated Sanford Seminole 59-52
This Week: No games scheduled
The Seffner Christian Lady Crusaders went 1-1 at the Spruce Creek All-Out Shootout this past weekend. The Lady Crusaders will have the week off, before taking the court again on December 26 as they host St. Agnes Academy (TX) in the first round of the Tampa Bay Christmas Invitational.
8. Brooks-DeBartolo (7-1)
Last Week: Defeated Ribault 65-30 & Defeated Palm Bay Heritage 64-50
This Week: vs American Heritage (Plantation) (Fri.) (Polk County Hoopfest)
The Brooks-DeBartolo Lady Phoenix check in at #8, in this week's Tampa Bay girls basketball rankings. The Lady Phoenix have won three straight games, with two of them against highly ranked teams in the state (Gulf Coast & Ribault). The Lady Phoenix also come in at #4 in Class 3A, according to MaxPreps.
9. Santa Fe Catholic (8-2)
Last Week: Lost to Seffner Christian 55-36, Defeated Auburndale 74-9 & Defeated West Port 57-30
This Week: No games scheduled
The Santa Fe Catholic Lady Hawks check in at #9, in the Tampa Bay girls basketball rankings. The Lady Hawks will be off this week, as they get prepared for the Florida Prospects Tournament in Orlando. Junior guard Kassidy Jones leads the team, averaging 16.7 points per game & 5.1 rebounds per game so far this season.
10. Tampa Prep (5-2)
Last Week: Lost to Clearwater 59-50, Defeated Tampa Catholic 34-28
This Week: vs McKeel Academy (Thu.)
The Tampa Prep Terrapins are back in the Tampa Bay girls basketball rankings this week, after snapping their two-game losing streak to Tampa Catholic. The Lady Terrapins will be back in action on Thursday night, as they host McKeel Academy in their last game until the holiday break. Sophomore guard Kailyn Gilbert leads the team, averaging 34 points per game this season.
On The Bubble: Academy of the Holy Names, Armwood, Bishop McLaughlin, Bloomingdale, Clearwater, Fivay, Land O'Lakes, Lakewood, Mitchell, Nature Coast Tech, Newsome, Northeast, River Ridge, Robinson, Steinbrenner, Strawberry Crest, Wiregrass Ranch