Providence boys and Nease girls continue to hold down the top spot in the second week of the Fab 5 basketball polls of the year. Both look prime for runs to Lakeland, as do Palatka and Middleburg.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
1 Nease (10-0)
Last ranking: 1
Last week: def. Englewood 79-3, def. Middleburg 77-37
Next: Bishop Moore (Dec 19)
Note: Two more easy wins for the Panthers this week allows them to win their tenth straight game, while the Englewood win was unheard of, the margin of victory over previously No. 2 Middleburg was mind blowing. Up 18-17 going into the second quarter, the Panthers put it away with a 20-2 to run to take control of the game and the district with the win. The trio of Camile Hobby, Kiya Turner and Tia Robinson is a lethal combination to stop, as well as the other role and bench players making this team no doubt the top team in the area.
2 Bishop Kenny (8-1)
Last ranking: 2
Last week: def. Ponte Vedra 52-19, def. Creekside 63-31
Next: Fleming Island Holiday Tournament (Dec 20-22)
Note: Since the loss to Ribault last week, the Crusaders have bounced back nicely and reeled off three straight easy wins but the Crusaders will be tested this week at the Fleming Island Holiday Tournament which features Bishop Moore, Bartram Trail, Rickards, Orlando Evans, Thomas County Central (GA), Schoolhouse Prep and host Fleming Island.
3 Raines (10-0)
Last ranking: HM
Last week: def. Fernandina Beach 64-36, def. Lee 62-29
Next: Potters House (Dec 21), Norland (Dec 22)
Note: Outside of a two point win over arch-rival Ribault, the Vikings haven’t been tested so far this season, Final Four participant Fernandina Beach was suppose to be a tough test but the Vikings put a running clock on them and then followed that up with another blowout win a day later against Lee. The schedule gets tougher this week with games against Potters House and Miami Norland both at home this week.
4 Middleburg (9-2)
Last ranking: 2
Last week: def. Bradford 75-22, def. Englewood 83-10, fell to Nease 77-37
Next: at Ed White (Dec 18)
Note: The Broncos were rolling along with only a buzzer beater loss to Bishop Kenny keeping them from an undefeated season so far, that is until a 40 beat down from Nease Friday night. For Middleburg to make a lengthy playoff run, they are going to need huge nights from both Britany Range and Mallory Rooney every night and stay out of foul trouble, as the roster is extremely thin dressing only 7 girls in the loss to Nease.
5 Bolles (7-2)
Last ranking: 5
Last week: def. Episcopal 53-31, def. Ribault 60-54
Next: Cornerstone Christian (Dec 21)
Note: Since the tough loss to Fernandina Beach in overtime two weeks ago, the Bulldogs have rolled off three wins in a row including two key district games to remain in contention for the top seed.
Dropped out: No. 4 Fernandina Beach (9-1)
Honorable Mention: Bartram Trail (7-2), Columbia (8-1), Creekside (6-3), Fernandina Beach (9-1), Flagler Palm Coast (6-1), Fleming Island (2-2), Orange Park (8-1), Ribault (6-3), Ridgeview (4-2), Sandalwood (5-2), St. Johns Country Day (8-1), University Christian (8-1)
