First Five in Tampa Bay: Week 1 Team Rankings
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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…
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Continue ReadingGirls 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:
1. IMG (1-0)
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 Kailyn Gilbert Kailyn Gilbert 5'8" | CG IMG Academy | 2022 State FL , Oregon commit Grace VanSlooten Grace VanSlooten 6'3" | PF IMG Academy | 2022 State #23 Nation FL , and Catalina Ion Catalina Ion 6'1" | SF IMG Academy | 2022 State FL . IMG has the size and skill to compete with anyone.
2. Brooks DeBartolo (3-0)
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. Jaela Davis Jaela Davis 5'7" | CG Brooks DeBartolo | 2022 State FL is their motor, but they have some nice additions in two transfers: Tyra Kennedy Tyra Kennedy 5'6" | CG Brooks DeBartolo | 2023 State FL and Alaina Williams Alaina Williams 6'1" | PF Brooks De Bartelo | 2023 State FL . Also look for Maia Lewers Maia Lewers 5'5" | CG Brooks DeBartolo | 2023 State FL 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.
3. Cardinal Mooney (0-1)
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 Olivia Davis Olivia Davis 5'7" | CG Cardinal Mooney | 2023 State FL , Jordyn Byrd Jordyn Byrd 6'3" | PF Cardinal Mooney | 2023 State #25 Nation FL , and Kennedy McClain Kennedy McClain 5'11" | SF Sarasota | 2024 State FL . Outside of those three, they return starting guard Natalie Mercadante and get an incoming freshman in Kali Barrett Kali Barrett 6'2" | SF Cardinal Mooney | 2025 State FL 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.
4. Clearwater (2-1)
The Tornadoes are another local team that has all of the pieces to make a postseason run. They’ll briefly be without NJIT commit Kyleigh Welsh Kyleigh Welsh 6'3" | PF Clearwater HS | 2022 State FL , and their PG Beckham Hockley Beckham Hockley 5'7" | PG Sickles | 2024 State FL is working her way back to full health as well. 6’4 Phillicia Jackson Phillicia Jackson SG Clearwater | 2022 State FL will have to step up with Welsh out, and Gerogia Southern commit Liv Fuller and Ace Sturdivant Ace Sturdivant 5'10" | CG Clearwater | 2023 State FL 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 I’Yania Sarnoff I’Yania Sarnoff 5'4" | PG American Collegiate | 2023 State FL and Jade Price to round out what looks to be the best team in Clearwater for at least the next couple of years.
5. Seffner Christian (3-0)
The Crusaders got a huge transfer of Air Force commit Milahnie Perry Milahnie Perry 5'7" | CG Carrollwood Day | 2022 State FL , and they have some returning pieces that should keep them relevant all season. They have one of the best shooters in the area with Nini Davenport Nini Davenport 5'3" | PG Seffner Christian | 2023 State FL , and Nicole Carreno Nicole Carreno 5'10" | SF Seffner Christian | 2024 State FL will look to improve on her freshman campaign. Jahleh Scott Jahleh Scott 5'7" | SG Seffner Christian Academy | 2022 State FL is another shooter than will look to contribute along with Mia Hastings Mia Hastings 5'7" | SF Seffner Christian | 2024 State FL who continues to improve her game.
Other teams to watch: Bloomingdale, Carrollwood Day, Plant, Winter Haven, Braden River, Riverview Sarasota, Boca Ciega, Lakewood, Tampa Bay Tech, Armwood, Booker.
*I’m sure there is a team or two missing, and there will be some new names pop-up as the season progresses.*