By: Ross Van De Griek
Hope everyone had a safe & happy holidays, as well as a safe & happy new year. We are back into the weekly rankings for the first time since December 16. Expected to have a lot of shuffling in this week's rankings, following the holiday tournaments that took place the past two weeks. Find out where your team is ranked below.
1. East Lake (11-0)
Last Week: Defeated Widwood 88-65, Defeated Choctawhatchee 66-51 & Defeated Paxon 58-57
This Week: vs Clearwater (Tues.), vs Largo (Wed.), @ Freedom (Fri.), vs Seffner Christian (Sat.) (St. Pete Shootout)
The East Lake Eagles are coming off a 3-0 week at the Prep Hoops Sun Bash, defeating reigning 1A runner-up Wildwood, 6A semifinalist Paxon & 7A semifinalist Choctawhatchee in the tournament. Senior guard Dionte Blanch took home Sun Bash tournament MVP, averaging nearly 25 points per game. The Eagles are in action again tomorrow night, as they host Clearwater.
2. Wharton (10-0)
Last Week: Defeated Gateway Charter 73-45
This Week: @ Sickles (Tues.), @ Alonso (Fri.)
The Wharton Wildcats come in this week, as the #2 ranked team in the Tampa Bay area. The Wildcats won the Nature Coast Christmas Tournament, as well as defeating Gateway Charter over the weekend in Naples. The Wildcats will begin a four game stretch with road games, starting tomorrow night at Sickles.
3. Berkeley Prep (10-1)
Last Week: No games scheduled
This Week: vs Bayshore Christian (Thu.), vs Tampa Prep (Sat.)
The Berkeley Prep Buccaneers have had a week off & come in this week, ranked #3 in the Tampa Bay area. The Buccaneers begin a two-game homestand on Thursday night, as they will host Bayshore Christian. The Buccaneers currently stand at #8 in Class 3A, according to MaxPreps.
4. Clearwater (9-1)
Last Week: Defeated Sickles 54-53, Defeated Victory Christian 73-52 & Defeated Booker 60-48
This Week: @ East Lake (Tues.), @ Dunedin (Thu.), @ Lakewood (Fri.)
The Clearwater Tornadoes come in at #4 in this week's Tampa Bay boys basketball rankings (their highest ranking of the season). The Tornadoes are coming off a 3-0 week at the Prep Hoops Sun Bash tournament. Senior Max Jones leads the team averaging 24.7 points per game this season. The Tornadoes will be back in action, tomorrow night at #1 East Lake.
5. Tampa Prep (10-1)
Last Week: No games scheduled
This Week: @ Bishop McLaughlin (Tues.), @ Carrollwood Day (Thu.), @ Berkeley Prep (Sat.)
The Tampa Prep Terrapins come in at #5 in this week's Tampa Bay boys basketball rankings. The Terrapins have not played since December 28, where they defeated Lake Gibson 54-48 for the Lakeland Christian Tournament Championship. The Terrapins will be back in action, tomorrow night at Bishop McLaughlin.
6. Blake (11-2)
Last Week: No games scheduled
This Week: @ Jefferson (Tues.), vs Steinbrenner (Wed.), @ Spoto (Fri.)
The Blake Yellow Jackets enter the Tampa Bay high school boys basketball rankings for the first time this season. Blake enters this week, on a three-game winning streak. Sophomore guard Emmanuel Sharp leads the team averaging 34 points per game this season. Blake (11-2) resumes play tomorrow night, as they will travel to Jefferson High School.
7. Lakewood (9-2)
Last Week: No games scheduled
This Week: vs Pinellas Park (Tues.), vs Clearwater (Fri.), vs Anclote (Sat.) (St. Pete Shootout)
The Lakewood Spartans come into this week, ranked #7 in the Tampa Bay area. The Spartans went 3-0 at the Florida Prospects Tournament in Orlando right before the new year. Senior Jamille Reynolds leads the team, averaging 17.7 points per game this season. Lakewood will be back in action, tomorrow night as they host Pinellas Park.
8. Tampa Catholic (10-5)
Last Week: Defeated Crescent City Christian 76-66, Defeated Southwest DeKalb 52-48, Defeated Bloom 68-57, Lost to Scotlandville 70-56
This Week: vs Jesuit (Fri.)
The Tampa Catholic Crusaders went 3-1 in last week's Sugar Bowl Classic in New Orleans, finishing in 2nd for the tournament. Senior guard/forward Kobe Knox received All-Tournament honors at the Sugar Bowl Classic. The Crusaders will be back in action, on Friday night as they host rival school Jesuit. Senior Johni Broome leads the team, averaging 18.7 points per game.
9. Anclote (10-3)
Last Week: Defeated Grace Baptist Academy 59-37, Defeated Springstead 70-61, Defeated Trinity Catholic 62-47 & Defeated Evangelical Christian 64-56
This Week: vs Nature Coast Tech (Wed.), vs Lakewood (Sat.) (St. Pete Shootout)
The Anclote Sharks have kicked off the new year, on a 4-game winning streak by winning the Springstead Holiday Tournament & defeating Evangelical Christian in the Lehigh New Year's Shootout last week. Senior guard Jalen Cooper & senior forward Jakob Hester lead the team in scoring, as the Sharks are averaging 64.2 points per game this season. Anclote will be back in action on Wednesday night, as they host Nature Coast Tech.
10. Springstead (9-3)
Last Week: Defeated Brooks-DeBartolo 72-46, Lost to Anclote 70-61 & Lost to Wesley Chapel 47-44
This Week: vs Land O'Lakes (Wed.), vs Lecanto (Fri.)
The Springstead Eagles are coming off a 1-2 week at the Greg O'Connell Shootout, with their only win coming against Brooks-DeBartolo. Springstead is averaging 65 points per game so far this season. Junior forward Unique Torain leads the team averaging 21.3 points per game this season. Springstead will be back in action on Wednesday night, as they host Land O'Lakes.
On The Bubble: Armwood, Brooksville Central, Clearwater Central Catholic, Countryside, Hillsborough, Land O'Lakes, Nature Coast Tech, Plant, Riverview, Seminole, Shorecrest Prep, Sickles, St. Petersburg, Sunlake, Tampa Bay Tech, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills