Northeast Fl- It’s been an exciting first couple of weeks here in Northeast Florida. There were a lot of good games including those played in the Inside Exposure Thanksgiving Classic. We even had some head-to-head matchups from teams that appeared in our preseason rankings which caused some earlier than expected movement. Let’s look at the new rankings.
- Bishop Kenny (4-1)
The Crusaders remain at the top of the rankings. They have started off the with some quality wins against some tough competition where they have displayed their elite championship level defense. Their lone loss came against the Nationally ranked DME team during the Inside Exposure Thanksgiving Classic. Their strength of schedule is always very high, and it continues with games coming up against Ribault, Daytona Mainland and Paxon.
2.Providence (6-0)
There were some questions as to how good this team would be after losing a good portion of their scoring and leadership from last season. The stallions have more than answered those questions as they have started out the season undefeated with quality wins over Bolles, Beachside and Ridgeview. They are led by Juniors Janie Boyd and Janai Jordan. They will look to stay undefeated as they face Hillard and Orange Park next.
3. Bolles (5-1)
The Bulldogs got off to a hot start this season going undefeated in the Inside Exposure Thanksgiving Classic. They have continued to grow as a unit over the last few years and may have their most complete team in a while with the emergence of their sophomore post player, Terrell McCoy. That inside presence along with the already lethal shooting from Abby Knauff, Presley Norman and Hilary Englert makes them a very dangerous team. Their lone loss came against Providence who is number two in our rankings. We will get to see how good this team really is as they face Tocoi Creek, Ponte Vedra and Orange Park next.
4. San Jose Prep (4-2)
The Storm had a tough start to the season going 1-2 in the super competitive Inside Exposure Thanksgiving Classic. They bounced back though with 3 straight wins over Ribault, Jackson and Daytona Mainland. They look to capitalize on three years of growth as they are eligible to compete in the FHSAA post season for the first time.
5. Ponte Vedra (3-2)
The Sharks have a competitive team that always faces a strong schedule, and this year is no different. They also competed in the Inside Exposure Thanksgiving Classic where they suffered defeats as the hands of undefeated Camden County (GA) and a good Daytona Mainland team. They have since bounced back with wins over Ridgeview and Bartram Trail. Things won’t get any easier for them as they face an up-and-coming Beachside team, Creekside, and third-ranked Bolles next.
6. Ribault (3-1)
The Lady Trojans started out the season strong with two wins at Inside Exposure Thanksgiving Classic and one against Sandalwood. They have a balanced attack led by junior Destiny Donaldson. Their lone loss came against fourth ranked San Jose Prep. They look to continue their winning ways with some tough games against top-ranked Bishop Kenny, ninth-ranked Mandarin and their biggest rival Raines.
7. Paxon (4-2)
The Eagles look good early in the season with their only losses coming to Haines City and Bolles. They have a good mixture of youth and experience led by Ansley Hicks and Kennedy Waymer that could propel them into a deep playoff run. They already have quality wins over Jackson, Fleming Island, Nease, and Oakleaf. The next step for them will be to beat a big-time opponent and they will have their opportunity to soon with games against Mandarin, Bishop Kenny, and Ribault coming up next.
8. NFEI (2-2)
NFEI has built a strong program over the last few years and looks to capitalize off their experience this season. They faced some tough competition in the Inside Exposure Thanksgiving Classic and came out with a 1-2 record. They bounced back with a win over Sandalwood and look to stay in the win column with upcoming games against Central Point Christian Academy, DME, and Gainesville.
9. Mandarin (4-0)
Mandarin has gotten off to a hot start going undefeated to begin the season with two of those wins at coming at the super competitive Inside Exposure Thanksgiving Classic. They look to stay unbeaten as they face Stanton, Ribault, Ridgeview, and Paxon. This will be a tough stretch for them as Ribault and Paxon are both ranked ahead of them, and Ridgeview is a solid team that appeared in our preseason rankings.
10. Orange Park (5-0)
Orange Park started the season off with a bang going undefeated against some quality opponents including two district wins over Oakleaf and Fleming Island. This is a welcomed sight after a difficult end to last season and the loss of nationally ranked player Eris Lester. Seniors Piera Alexander, Hailey Revak and Mychaela Parker have all stepped up and put this team on the shoulders. The look to stay unbeaten in upcoming games against Flagler Palm Coast, Providence, Ed White, Nease and Bolles.
Also considered:
Beachside, Bishop Synder, Columbia, Ed White, Nease, Ridgeview, St. Augustine, Tocoi Creek and University Christian
