As the year changes, we make the change from football to basketball this week. Here is our first rankings of the year as well.
The area has a lot of great teams that could not only make it to Lakeland but also bring home multiple state titles.
Among the top notch teams are Ribault, Jackson, Lee, First Coast, Creekside and Providence. Which teams will make it to Lakeland? We will find out soon.
2017 Boys Basketball Rankings
1 Providence (9-5)
Good wins: Bishop Snyder (9-2), Lake Highland Prep, Bolles (9-5), Creekside (12-1)
Good losses: Montverde (11-0), Florida Prep (8-3)
Outlook: Stallions have played a demanding schedule against several powers from several different states. Locally they have taken down Bolles and Creekside as well as Bishop Snyder and Fletcher.
2 Creekside (12-1)
Good wins: Orange Park (7-4), Bartram Trail (8-4), Ponte Vedra (6-4), Fleming Island (10-7), Nease (8-6)
Good losses: Providence (9-5)
Outlook: Started off 9-0 before falling to Providence before Christmas break but rebounded nicely to win three straight games at Keswick Holiday Classic. Schedule gets much tougher with upcoming games against Bishop Snyder, St. Augustine, Bishop Kenny, Oakleaf and Bolles.
3 Terry Parker (10-1)
Good wins: Lee (11-4), Ribault (9-3)
Good losses: None
Outlook: Two key wins over Lee and Ribault have vaulted the Braves into the Top 5 for now. Schedule is a little less challenging, however with the Gateway Conference tourney coming it should get a lot tougher.
4 Lee (11-4)
Good wins: beat First Coast (11-3) twice
Good losses: Parker (10-1), Madison County (10-2)
Outlook: Since getting the bulk of its team back following the long playoff run in football, the Generals have won 7 of their last 8 games finishing second at the Baker County First Coast Classic just days ago.
5 First Coast (11-3)
Good wins: Fleming Island (10-7), Jackson (9-4), Ribault (9-3), Rockledge (10-4)
Good losses: Lee (11-4) twice, Pensacola (15-2))
Oulook: Outside of the two losses to Lee, the surprising Bucs are 9-0 against the rest of the area so far; not to mention have played Camden County, Rockledge and Pensacola.
6 Ribault (9-3)
Good wins: Bishop Kenny (10-4), Orange Park (7-4), Yulee (8-4)
Good losses: First Coast (11-3), Jackson (9-4), Parker (10-1)
Outlook: Huge games coming up against Providence (Jan 10) and Lee (Jan 12), Trojans need to steal one of those to remain relevant again.
7 Bishop Kenny (10-4)
Good wins: Bartram Trail (8-4), Yulee (8-4), Evans (7-3), Boca Raton (8-5)
Good losses: Ribault (9-3), Godby (13-0), Bishop Moore (9-3)
Outlook: Crusaders went on the road to Daytona Beach and won the Father Lopez Holiday tourney with wins over much bigger schools Orlando Evans, Riveria Beach Suncoast and Boca Raton.
8 Jackson (9-4)
Good wins: Fernandina Beach (13-1), Ribault (9-3)
Good losses: Pensacola (15-2), First Coast (11-3)
Outlook: Jackson was cruising along with big wins over Fernandina Beach, Ribault and First Coast winning six straight until dropping both games at Northwest Classic.
9 Fernandina Beach (13-1)
Good wins: Bishop Snyder (9-2), Yulee (8-4), Bolles (9-5)
Good losses: Jackson (9-4)
Outlook: Since a loss to Jackson in game three, the Pirates have reeled off 11 straight wins and have become the hottest team in the area by far.
10 Bishop Snyder (9-2)
Good wins: Oakleaf (7-6), Fleming Island (10-7), Palatka (8-5)
Good losses: Providence (9-5), Fernandina Beach (13-1)
Outlook: Cardinals won the Lake Region Kiwanis tourney with wins over bigger schools Keystone Heights, Oakleaf and Fleming Island to get everyone’s attention.
Honorable Mention: Bartram Trail (8-4), Oakleaf (7-6), Yulee (8-4), Baker County (7-2), Orange Park (7-4), Palatka (8-5), Bolles (9-5), North Florida Educational (7-2), Impact Christian (6-5), Potters House (3-4), Fort White (5-3), Christ’s Church (8-3), Cedar Creek (6-3)
