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.
BOYS BASKETBALL
1 Providence (7-1)
Last ranking: 1
Last week: def. First Coast 70-44, def. Bolles 62-34, def. Bishop Kenny 66-27
Next: Ponte Vedra (Dec 18), Providence Christmas Classic (Dec 21-22)
Note: If there was any doubt who the No. 1 team is Providence made that clear by demolishing Bolles and Bishop Kenny this week to win the inaugural High School 912 Invitational at Episcopal this weekend. Ahren Freeman, Chris Bailey, Norman Haynes and Noah Mitchell lead a deep and talented roster poised for another deep run to Lakeland.
2 Palatka (6-0)
Last ranking: 2
Last week: def. Menendez 70-51, def. Clay 81-51
Next: Impact Christian (Dec 20)
Note: Outside of back-to-back close wins against University Christian and Ponte Vedra by 5-6 points, the Panthers have been rarely tested this season so far and are on track again for their third straight Final Four appearance. Mitchell McKinnon leads a group of seven seniors trying to make it three consecutive trips to Lakeland.
3 Bolles (9-1)
Last ranking: HM
Last week: def. Raines 56-55, def. Ribault 67-60, fell to Providence 62-24, def. Episcopal 62-49
Next: Jim Clark Classic (Dec 27-29) at Bishop Moore
Note: Solid week started with stunning one point win over Raines and ended with finishing third in the inaugural High School 912 Invitational after going 2-1 in the tourney. Will Sheppard, Dave Crouch, Bobby Crouch and Justin O’Leary lead a great supporting cast trying to make another lengthy postseason run.
4 Raines (4-1)
Last ranking: 3
Last week: fell to Bolles 56-55
Next: at Ribault (Dec 18), at Englewood (Dec 20)
Note: In only game of the week, the Vikings were stunned in a one point loss to Bolles last week and will look to rebound with struggling arch-rival Ribault up next. The threesome of senior Edward Jackson (18.2 p.p.g., 8.2 r.p.g.), junior Devante’ Devaughn (11.2 p.p.g.) and junior Andrew Chambers (10.0 p.p.g.) continue to lead the Vikings offensively.
5 Impact Christian (9-0)
Last ranking: 4
Last week: def. First Coast Christian 83-16, Eagles View 64-14, Windermere Prep 65-54
Next: at Palatka (Dec 20)
Note: Lions are having their way with teams this season and have only been tested by 3 teams so far, the Lions will get their first real test of the season this week at Palatka. Jordin Jackson leads a talented group that is eager to get back to Lakeland and avenge their state runnerup finish.
Dropping out: No. 5 Ribault (5-4)
Honorable Mention: Atlantic Coast (6-1), Bishop Kenny (5-2), Clay (4-2), Englewood (6-2), First Coast (5-3), Flagler Palm Coast (3-1), Fleming Island (5-0), Lee (4-2), North Florida Education (3-1), Paxon (5-2), University Christian (9-2)
