First Five in Tampa Bay: Week 3 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 a few weeks 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: &nbsp; <strong>1. IMG (4-0)</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. In the past couple of weeks, they’ve knocked off Norland, Miami Christian, and Miami Country Day with no issues. They still have a long season left with trips to DC, Minnesota, Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio over the course of this season. Arizona commit [player_tooltip player_id="91558" first="Kailyn" last="Gilbert"] and Oregon commit [player_tooltip player_id="32623" first="Grace" last="VanSlooten"] have been putting on a show these first few weeks. <strong>2. Cardinal Mooney (5-1)</strong> After losing their first game of the season, they have won their last five. Two of those five were against Georgia teams, and the other three were against some local teams that are talented. [player_tooltip player_id="91658" first="Olivia" last="Davis"](20.5 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="91637" first="Jordyn" last="Byrd"](9.7 rpg, 2 bpg), and [player_tooltip player_id="221699" first="Kennedy" last="McClain"](11.3 ppg, 1.7 spg) are leading the charge for this Cougars team. Outside of those three, Natalie Mercadante is contributing from both ends of the floor and Freshman [player_tooltip player_id="243900" first="Kali" last="Barrett"] is putting up a respectable 6.2 ppg and 5.7 rpg to go along with more than one steal per contest. Cardinal Mooney will play a lot of the teams on this list to challenge the best of Tampa Bay for the remainder of the season starting with 6-1 AHN tonight. <strong>3. Brooks DeBartolo (4-2)</strong> The Phoenix began their season with three straight wins, but have stumbled to lose two of their last three. [player_tooltip player_id="91581" first="Jaela" last="Davis"] is putting up good numbers to start the year, and they are pretty consistent outside of her with a set of four 2023’s: [player_tooltip player_id="243947" first="Tyra" last="Kennedy"], Skye McCloud, [player_tooltip player_id="247224" first="Alaina" last="Williams"], and [player_tooltip player_id="166174" first="Maia" last="Lewers"]. Don’t be fluked by those two losses as they were to two teams with a combined 13-0 record. They will look to rebound this weekend against Miami HS and Gulf Coast. <strong>4. Clearwater (4-2)</strong> The Tornadoes are another local team looking to make a postseason run. They’re still without NJIT commit [player_tooltip player_id="219945" first="Kyleigh" last="Welsh"], but it’s come with two single-digit losses since she’s been out. Those two losses are by two teams ahead of them on this list: Brooks by 6 and Mooney by 3. Georgia Southern commit [player_tooltip player_id="166169" first="Olivia" last="Fuller"] and [player_tooltip player_id="166172" first="Ace" last="Sturdivant"] are contributing all over, and underclassmen [player_tooltip player_id="214172" first="Beckham" last="Hockley"] and Pink Sturdivant are coming into their own on a team that should only get better as the season goes on and they get healthier. <strong>5. Carrollwood Day (5-1)</strong> This CDS team looks a lot different this year, but they have some playmakers who could make some noise as they continue to gel. Their only loss was a tough one by 1-point to Plant in a game where they were missing two key players. Look for Kayanti Burden to be the difference maker on this squad. She can score it, handle the rock, and plays tough on both ends. They have good size with 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="349386" first="LeighAnn" last="Hanley"] and 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="248836" first="Carlee" last="Janikowski-Warden"] down low, and a quick 2022 guard in Ceniya King to help Burden take care of the ball. [player_tooltip player_id="219928" first="Leah" last="Barnes"] should be a key factor on this team as a versatile player that continues to develop. &nbsp; Other teams to watch: Bloomingdale, Seffner Christian, Plant, Winter Haven, Braden River, Riverview Sarasota, Boca Ciega, Lakewood, Tampa Bay Tech, Armwood, Booker, Academy of the Holy Names, Calvary Christian (Clearwater). <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>