It’s time for our first Duval Sports Boys Basketball Power Rankings of the season. An in-depth look and ranking of the best boys basketball teams in Northeast Florida after the first quarter mark of the season. There are several teams on the list that have hung on to win close games, and are hanging on to top spots on this list. Let’s check out those teams below.
- IMPACT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (7-1)– Coach Benjamin Jones and company have started red hot and it’s no surprise. Jones told us at media day that he had a pretty good squad this year, something the publically reserved coach almost never does. We see why he was all smiles at media day as his Lions are complete across the board. They’re lineup consists of three players averaging double digits, led by juniors Jordan Mikell (11.0ppg), Taylor Thompson (10.9), and 6’5 senior Issac Edwards (10.0 ppg. They look to hang on to this top spot and return to Lakeland, a place Impact and Coach Jones know very well.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 11/213:30p | Wiregrass Ranch (Wesley Chapel, FL)Game Details: Wildwood Thanksgiving Shootout | (W) 65 – 57 |
| 11/223:30p | Southridge (Miami, FL)Game Details: Holiday Hoopsgiving at Wildwood, FL | (L) 54 – 45 |
| 12/17:00p | @ Orange Park (Orange Park, FL)Location: Orange Park High School | (W) 54 – 48 |
| 12/67:00p | @ Episcopal School of Jacksonville (Jacksonville, FL)Location: Episcopal School of Jacksonville | (W) 69 – 57 |
| 12/97:30p | Bishop Snyder (Jacksonville, FL)Location: Impact Christian Academy | (W) 60 – 29 |
| 12/106:00p | @ Seacoast Christian Academy (Jacksonville, FL)Location: Seacoast Christian Academy | (W) 68 – 35 |
| 12/137:00p | @ Fleming Island (Orange Park, FL)Location: Fleming Island High School | (W) 80 – 55 |
| 12/157:00p | Riverside (Jacksonville, FL)Location: Impact Christian Academy | (W) 67 – 41 |
2. PROVIDENCE (7-0) – Coach Jim Martin is once again leading a group of Stallions stampeding through the compition. Providence is led by junior Jaylen Robinson who won the Frotega tournament MVP. Senior Mason Lee, and Junior Chris Arias have been big parts to the team’s undefeated start. A big win over IMG Blue, Oakleaf, and Nease highlight wins for them this season. Providence keeps hanging L’s on others and W’s in their win column.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 11/224:00p | IMG Academy Blue (Bradenton, FL) | (W) 66 – 59 |
| 11/263:30p | @ Episcopal School of Jacksonville (Jacksonville, FL)Location: Episcopal School of Jacksonville | (W) 62 – 22 |
| 11/297:00p | @ Sandalwood (Jacksonville, FL)Location: Sandalwood High School | (W) 96 – 64 |
| 12/27:00p | @ Riverside (Jacksonville, FL)Location: Riverside High School | (W) 64 – 44 |
| 12/88:00p | Mandarin (Jacksonville, FL)Game Details: Fortegra Invitational @ FSCJ South Campus | (W) 87 – 35 |
| 12/96:00p | Oakleaf (Orange Park, FL)Game Details: Fortegra Invitational @ FSCJ South Campus | (W) 58 – 53 (OT) |
| 12/107:15p | Nease (Ponte Vedra, FL)Game Details: Fortegra Invitational | (W) 59 – 40 |
3. NORTH FLORIDA EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE (7-1)– This team wins in many different ways including a buzzer beater against Riverside, 33-32. Head Coach Stacey Poole Jr has the Eagles soaring again this year behind senior Issac Taveras. The 6 foot 6 senior averages 22.0 ppg, while his senior counterpart Tommie Hall also averages double digits (12.4 ppg). Their big win over DME Academy is one where the team flexed their muscle and hung on the rms for big dunks. Their only loss was to basketball powerhouse The Rock (Gainesville).
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 11/256:30p | Tampa Catholic (Tampa, FL)Game Details: Andrew Jackson Thanksgiving Classic | (W) 72 – 69 |
| 11/287:00p | Potter’s House Christian (Jacksonville, FL)Location: North Florida Educational Institute | (W) 75 – 72 |
| 11/307:00p | Riverside (Jacksonville, FL)Location: North Florida Educational Institute | (W) 33 – 32 |
| 12/17:00p | The Rock (Gainesville, FL)Location: North Florida Educational Institute | (L) 102 – 80 |
| 12/27:00p | Crossroad Academy (Quincy, FL)Location: North Florida Educational Institute | (W) 73 – 36 |
| 12/78:00p | @ DME Academy (Daytona Beach, FL)Game Details: Beach & Ball Classic | (W) 62 – 60 |
4. OAKLEAF (8-1)– The Knights only loss came to Providence in overtime. Otherwise, Coach Jason Price’s team has had several impressive victories including a 62-29 victory over First Coast Friday night. Senior Sean Jones scored a season high 21 points against the Bucs. 6 foot 8 Cameron Coachman chipped in with 10 points, but has been a terror in the paint, recording 7 blocks against Clay.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 11/256:00p | Westside (Jacksonville, FL)Game Details: Oakleaf KnightsGiving Classic | (W) 62 – 53 |
| 11/264:30p | Camden County (Kingsland, GA)Game Details: Oakleaf KnightsGiving Classic | (W) 73 – 40 |
| 11/307:30p | Matanzas (Palm Coast, FL)Location: Oakleaf High School | (W) 80 – 58 |
| 12/27:00p | Ridgeview (Orange Park, FL)Location: Oakleaf High School | (W) 70 – 46 |
| 12/83:00p | Raines (Jacksonville, FL)Game Details: Fortegra Invitational Tournament @ FSCJ | (W) 54 – 12 |
| 12/96:00p | Providence School (Jacksonville, FL)Game Details: Fortegra Invitational @ FSCJ South Campus | (L) 58 – 53 (OT) |
| 12/104:00p | Sandalwood (Jacksonville, FL)Game Details: Fortegra 9-12 Invitational Tournament @ FSCJ | (W) 57 – 22 |
| 12/137:00p | @ Clay (Green Cove Springs, FL)Location: Clay High School | (W) 72 – 52 |
| 12/167:30p | @ First Coast (Jacksonville, FL)Location: First Coast High School | (W) 62 – 29 |
5. PONTE VEDRA (7-1)– The Sharks are back and lurking the basketball waters of Northeast Florida devouering opponents left and right. They’ve taken down Paxon, Bolles, and Nease. All Top 10 teams. Israel Nuhu (16.3 ppg), Ben Ritchie (15.8 ppg), Nathan Bunkosky (13.5 ppg) and Sam Ritchie (11.5) are all averaging double digits for the Sharks. Coach Ben Wilson will look to keep his team focused heading into some tough matchups against out of state teams in upcoming Christmas tournaments.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 11/227:30p | @ Yulee (Yulee, FL)Location: Yulee High School | (W) 60 – 55 |
| 11/297:30p | Creekside (St. Johns, FL)Location: Bolles High School | (W) 44 – 41 |
| 12/27:30p | @ Ponte Vedra (Ponte Vedra, FL)Location: Ponte Vedra High School | (L) 74 – 52 |
| 12/67:30p | First Coast (Jacksonville, FL)Location: Bolles High School | (W) 57 – 49 |
| 12/97:00p | @ Florida A&M (Tallahassee, FL)Location: Florida A&M High School | (W) 70 – 42 |
| 12/104:00p | @ Leon (Tallahassee, FL)Location: Leon High School | (W) 59 – 39 |
6. PAXON (7-1)– The Golden Eagles have had a great start to their season realing off 6-straight wins after falling to top ranked Ponte Vedra to start the season. They had a tough win over Bishop Kenny 41-33 to highlight the first part of their year. However, Paxon’s real test will come in the second half of their season.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 11/227:00p | Ponte Vedra (Ponte Vedra, FL)Location: Paxon School For Advanced Studies | (L) 65 – 61 |
| 11/264:00p | Lovejoy (Lovejoy, GA)Game Details: Andrew Jackson Thanksgiving Tourney | (W) 68 – 54 |
| 11/297:30p | St. Augustine (St. Augustine, FL)Location: Paxon School For Advanced Studies | (W) 55 – 37 |
| 12/77:20p | @ ED White (Jacksonville, FL)Location: ED White High School | (W) 53 – 35 |
| 12/97:20p | Englewood (Jacksonville, FL)Location: Paxon School For Advanced Studies | (W) 73 – 30 |
| 12/127:00p | Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville, FL)Location: Paxon School For Advanced Studies | (W) 41 – 33 |
| 12/137:20p | @ Beachside (St. Johns, FL)Location: Beachside High School | (W) 62 – 42 |
| 12/167:00p | @ Wolfson (Jacksonville, FL)Location: Wolfson High School | (W) 48 – 24 |
7. RIBAULT (6-1)– The Torjans boys basketball team are back as one of the best in the city. It’s a wlecomed return for this storied program with such greats to come through. Coach Charles Showers has instilled a disciple approach to his team and the game that has seen the Mighty Trojans defeat Jackson this year 39-38. Their early season overtime loss to Riverside is something to be expected for a team who is learning how to be consistent and win. Caleb Williams leads the team averaging 14.4 ppg, with teammate Kevin Stokes also averaging double figures (10.4ppg).
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 11/217:00p | @ Westside (Jacksonville, FL)Location: Westside High School | (W) 58 – 54 |
| 11/297:00p | @ Riverside (Jacksonville, FL)Location: Riverside High School | (L) 65 – 59 (OT) |
| 12/27:00p | @ Mandarin (Jacksonville, FL)Location: Mandarin High School | (W) 74 – 64 |
| 12/35:00p | Florida A&M (Tallahassee, FL)Location: Ribault High School | (W) 80 – 32 |
| 12/87:00p | ED White (Jacksonville, FL)Location: Ribault High School | (W) 89 – 72 |
| 12/136:30p | @ Andrew Jackson (Jacksonville, FL)Location: Andrew Jackson High School | (W) 39 – 38 |
| 12/167:00p | Fletcher (Neptune Beach, FL)Location: Ribault High School | (W) 67 – 50 |
8. ANDREW JACKSON (5-3)– The Tigers are once again one of the best teams in Northeast Florida. Coach James Collins has a new group of players attempting to build off the success of previous teams that have made it to Lakeland. No Kevin Odom,James Morrow, or Stephon Payne this year. In 2022-2023, duel sport senior Fred Gaines, with juniors Ronald Durham Jr, and Jakauri Fisher look to combine experience by Gaines and skill by Durham and Fisher to excel this year .They hosted the reigning Georgia 3A State runners-up Windsor Forest and defeated them handedly 70-54. But they also fell in a close one to Ribault 39-38.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 11/258:00p | Lovejoy (Lovejoy, GA)Game Details: Jackie Simmons @ Andrew Jackson | (W) 76 – 65 |
| 11/262:30p | Tampa Catholic (Tampa, FL)Game Details: Andrew Jackson Thanksgiving Classic | (L) 66 – 58 |
| 11/307:30p | @ Creekside (St. Johns, FL)Location: Creekside High School | (W) 62 – 42 |
| 12/27:00p | Sandalwood (Jacksonville, FL)Game Details: Gateway Conference Game | (W) 83 – 55 |
| 12/37:00p | Windsor Forest (Savannah, GA)Location: Andrew Jackson High School | (W) 70 – 54 |
| 12/87:00p | @ Riverside (Jacksonville, FL)Location: Riverside High School | (W) 61 – 55 |
| 12/136:30p | Ribault (Jacksonville, FL)Location: Andrew Jackson High School | (L) 39 – 38 |
| 12/146:30p | Mainland (Daytona Beach, FL)Location: Andrew Jackson High School | (L) 48 – 41 |
9. BOLLES (5-1)– The Bulldogs only loss came to top ranked Ponte Vedra, but other than that, Bolles has bitten every opponent with suffocating defense. They’ve held four opponents under 50-points this year. The Bulldogs finished up last weekend with a 59-39 victory over Leon. Anakin Brown scored 23 points, Kaden Ferguson scored 14 points and David Martin chipped in with 9 points. Brown has been leading them early on.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 11/227:30p | @ Yulee (Yulee, FL)Location: Yulee High School | (W) 60 – 55 |
| 11/297:30p | Creekside (St. Johns, FL)Location: Bolles High School | (W) 44 – 41 |
| 12/27:30p | @ Ponte Vedra (Ponte Vedra, FL)Location: Ponte Vedra High School | (L) 74 – 52 |
| 12/67:30p | First Coast (Jacksonville, FL)Location: Bolles High School | (W) 57 – 49 |
| 12/97:00p | @ Florida A&M (Tallahassee, FL)Location: Florida A&M High School | (W) 70 – 42 |
| 12/104:00p | @ Leon (Tallahassee, FL)Location: Leon High School | (W) 59 – 39 |
10. NEASE (8-2)- Hanging around the 10th and final spot is Coach Josh Bailen’s Nease Panthers. They improved to 8-1 on the season with a big win over St. Augustine as Bryson Utter’s 23 points, Brooks Utter’s 15 points , and Andy Gonzalez’s 8 points led the way. Ty Gebauer had two clutch free throws with .2 seconds left to force OT, coming from 10 points down to get the win. Although they fell by 4-points to Ponte Vedra on Friday, Nease has proven they can keep games close and win them.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 11/227:00p | @ Fletcher (Neptune Beach, FL)Location: Fletcher High School | (W) 43 – 41 |
| 11/255:00p | ED White (Jacksonville, FL)Game Details: Thanksgiving classic @ Jackson | (W) 54 – 38 |
| 11/297:30p | Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville, FL)Location: Nease High School | (W) 47 – 42 |
| 12/27:30p | @ Bartram Trail (St. Johns, FL)Location: Bartram Trail High School | (W) 66 – 61 (OT) |
| 12/57:30p | Creekside (St. Johns, FL)Location: Nease High School | (W) 62 – 47 |
| 12/86:00p | Camden County (Kingsland, GA) | (W) 46 – 34 |
| 12/98:00p | Sandalwood (Jacksonville, FL)Game Details: Fortegra Invitational | (W) 42 – 23 |
| 12/107:15p | Providence School (Jacksonville, FL)Game Details: Fortegra Invitational | (L) 59 – 40 |
| 12/137:30p | @ St. Augustine (St. Augustine, FL)Location: St. Augustine High School | (W) 64 – 55 |
| 12/167:30p | Ponte Vedra (Ponte Vedra, FL)Location: Nease High School | (L) 48 – 44 |
Outside Looking In: Bishop Kenny (5-2), Riverside (2-6), Episcopal (5-2), Fleming Island (7-1), Sandalwood (7-4)
