For the fourth straight week, Providence remains the top team in the Fab Five boys basketball rankings after another dominating week.
Fab Five Week 4 rankings
1 Providence (10-1)
Last ranking: 1
Last week: def. Ponte Vedra 77-33, Rockledge 56-47, Central Florida Christian 52-40
Next: Battle at the Villages (Dec 27-30)
Note: Stallions are on a 9 game winning streak since a loss to Montverde, including three more this past week by pounding Ponte Vedra and then winning their own Providence Christmas Classic. Ahren Freeman had another huge week with 19 points in the win over Ponte Vedra and 22 points in the semifinal win over Rockledge, while Norman Haynes and Chris Bailey added 10 points each in the win over Rockledge. The Stallions will be tested this weekend competing in the 5th Annual Battle at the Villages, which features Kissimmee Osceola, Stranahan, Sussex-Hamilton (Wisconsin), Auburndale, Miami Christian, Berkeley Prep and host Villages. Providence opens the tourney in the last game of the second day of the tourney against Sussex-Hamilton and will play the winner or loser of the Miami Christian and Berkeley Prep game.
2 Bolles (9-1)
Last ranking: 3
Last week: Off
Next: Jim Clark Classic (Dec 27-29) at Bishop Moore
Note: Bolles enjoyed the week off last week and will go 12 days without having played a game with the layoff. The Bulldogs travel to Orlando to compete in the 31st Annual Jim Clark Classic at Bishop Moore, which features in state teams Harmony, Titusville, Bolles and host Bishop Moore as well out of state teams Archbishop Spalding (Maryland), Bishop McGuiness, (NC) and Page (TN). The Bulldogs open with Harmony in the tourney opener at 10:30 in the morning. Brothers Dave Crouch (17.6 p.p.g.) and Bobby Crouch (14.0 p.p.g.) along with Will Sheppard (9.1 p.p.g.) and Richie Rosenblum (8.8 p.p.g.) lead the Bulldogs.
3 Raines (6-1)
Last ranking: 3
Last week: def. Ribault 54-53, Englewood 62-46
Next: Northwest Classic at Ribault (Dec 28-29)
Note: Two more solid wins for the Vikings this past week as Raines held off arch-rival Ribault in a nail bitter and then went on a 23-11 run during the second quarter to pull away from host Englewood. 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. The Vikings travel to Ribault to compete in the Northwest Classic, which features northside rivals First Coast, Jackson and Ribault.
4 Impact Christian (10-1)
Last ranking: 5
Last week: def. Palatka 59-49
Next: Holiday Basketball Classic at Benjamin (Dec 27-29)
Note: Jordin Jackson (19 points, 6 rebounds), Miles Smith (11 points, 7 rebounds) and Antonio Williams (12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals) helped Impact stun previously No. 2 ranked Palatka on the road last week. The Lions travel to Palm Beach to compete in the Holiday Basketball Classic and the American Challenge Bracket where they will compete against Brewbaker Technology (AL), Cape Fear Christian (NC), Trinity Prep, Atlantic Shores Christian (VA), Dr. Henry Wise (Maryland), Stone Memorial (TN) and host Benjamin, where they will open with Cape Fear in the opener at 4 p.m.
5 Palatka (6-1)
Last ranking: 2
Last week: fell to Impact Christian 59-49
Next: Jarvis Williams Christmas Classic (Dec 27-29)
Note: Malik Beauford (13 points, 5 rebounds) and Deshawn Shaw (11 points, 5 steals) did their best to keep Palatka undefeated in the stunning loss to Impact at home. The Panthers return to the court this week hosting the 7th Annual Jarvis Williams Classic, which features Crescent City, Inverness Citrus, University Christian, Covenant, Deland, Royal Palm Beach and Elite Academy.
Dropping out: None
Honorable Mention: Andrew Jackson (5-3), Atlantic Coast (7-3), Bishop Kenny (5-4), Bishop Snyder (5-4), (Clay (6-2), Englewood (7-3), First Coast (8-3), Fleming Island (7-1), Lee (6-3), North Florida Education (4-2), Paxon (8-1), University Christian (9-2)
