First Five in Tampa Bay: Week 1 Team Rankings

Girls basketball in Tampa Bay is an ever-changing scene just like the entirety of the state is. Graduates, transfers, injuries, you name it. This list could change a lot, but this is what my opinion is coming into the season with week 1 under everyone’s belt. For the purposes of this ranking, I’ve included Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee, and Sarasota counties. Here they are after Week 1: &nbsp; <strong>1. IMG (1-0)</strong> The Ascenders national team are the odd-ball of this list since they are an independent school with a wide recruiting pool, but nonetheless, this is one of the best teams they’ve put together. They play an elite schedule this year and knocked off a solid Charlotte squad with ease in week 1. They’ll travel to DC, Minnesota, Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio over the course of this season. It seems like their three-headed monster will consist of: Arizona commit [player_tooltip player_id="91558" first="Kailyn" last="Gilbert"], Oregon commit [player_tooltip player_id="32623" first="Grace" last="VanSlooten"], and [player_tooltip player_id="243964" first="Catalina" last="Ion"]. IMG has the size and skill to compete with anyone. <strong>2. Brooks DeBartolo (3-0)</strong> The Phoenix have begun the season with nice wins over Steinbrenner and Boca Ciega, and a very quality one their home court against Clearwater who is #4 on this list. [player_tooltip player_id="91581" first="Jaela" last="Davis"] is their motor, but they have some nice additions in two transfers: [player_tooltip player_id="243947" first="Tyra" last="Kennedy"] and [player_tooltip player_id="247224" first="Alaina" last="Williams"]. Also look for [player_tooltip player_id="166174" first="Maia" last="Lewers"] and Skye McCloud to step up with some big losses to graduation. They can shoot, distribute, defend, and they will only get better as that chemistry continues to build. <strong>3. Cardinal Mooney (0-1)</strong> The Cougars are not messing around this year. They’re schedule is tough with three solid Georgia teams to tip off the season. They return their big three in [player_tooltip player_id="91658" first="Olivia" last="Davis"], [player_tooltip player_id="91637" first="Jordyn" last="Byrd"], and [player_tooltip player_id="221699" first="Kennedy" last="McClain"]. Outside of those three, they return starting guard Natalie Mercadante and get an incoming freshman in [player_tooltip player_id="243900" first="Kali" last="Barrett"] who has a ton of potential. Cardinal Mooney will play a lot of the teams on this list to challenge the best of Tampa Bay. <strong>4. Clearwater (2-1)</strong> The Tornadoes are another local team that has all of the pieces to make a postseason run. They’ll briefly be without NJIT commit [player_tooltip player_id="219945" first="Kyleigh" last="Welsh"], and their PG [player_tooltip player_id="214172" first="Beckham" last="Hockley"] is working her way back to full health as well. 6’4 [player_tooltip player_id="243991" first="Phillicia" last="Jackson"] will have to step up with Welsh out, and Gerogia Southern commit Liv Fuller and [player_tooltip player_id="166172" first="Ace" last="Sturdivant"] are more than capable of holding it down until Clearwater is nursed back to full health. Insert Ace’s little sister, Pink Sturdivant, and an improved [player_tooltip player_id="247221" first="I’Yania" last="Sarnoff"] and Jade Price to round out what looks to be the best team in Clearwater for at least the next couple of years. <strong>5. Seffner Christian (3-0)</strong> The Crusaders got a huge transfer of Air Force commit [player_tooltip player_id="91583" first="Milahnie" last="Perry"], and they have some returning pieces that should keep them relevant all season. They have one of the best shooters in the area with [player_tooltip player_id="219990" first="Nini" last="Davenport"], and [player_tooltip player_id="223784" first="Nicole" last="Carreno"] will look to improve on her freshman campaign. [player_tooltip player_id="248861" first="Jahleh" last="Scott"] is another shooter than will look to contribute along with [player_tooltip player_id="248344" first="Mia" last="Hastings"] who continues to improve her game. &nbsp; Other teams to watch: Bloomingdale, Carrollwood Day, Plant, Winter Haven, Braden River, Riverview Sarasota, Boca Ciega, Lakewood, Tampa Bay Tech, Armwood, Booker. <em>*I’m sure there is a team or two missing, and there will be some new names pop-up as the season progresses.*</em> &nbsp;