Florida’s Week 3 Team Rankings
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1. Montverde Academy (9-1) MVA has went 4-1 since my last ranking, and they have officially taken over the #1 spot! In those five games, none of them were against teams from Florida. Four impressive wins over Duncanville (TX) by…
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Continue Reading1. Montverde Academy (9-1)
MVA has went 4-1 since my last ranking, and they have officially taken over the #1 spot! In those five games, none of them were against teams from Florida. Four impressive wins over Duncanville (TX) by 5, Winston-Salem Christian (NC) by 22, AZ Compass Prep by 20, and Camden (SC) by 10. Their only loss was to DeSoto (TX) by 5 who is arguably the best team in the nation as they are ranked #1 by MaxPreps. Janiah Barker Janiah Barker 6'2" | SF Montverde Academy | 2022 State #3 Nation FL is showing why she is one of the best players in the state and the country with her ability to score from anywhere, rebound on both ends, and block shots. Her passing and hands-on defense are an underrated part of her game as well. Jordana Codio Jordana Codio 6'1" | SF Montverde Academy | 2022 State FL is fitting in well, too, by scoring in bunches and contributing in a variety of ways. Fatima Diakhate Fatima Diakhate 6'6" | C Montverde Academy | 2022 State FL is helping control the boards with Janiah and also has been scoring it well around the rim. Then you have Mjracle Sheppard Mjracle Sheppard 5'8" | CG Montverde Academy | 2023 State FL who is one of the best true PG’s, Rusne Augustinaite Rusne Augustinaite 5'10" | CG Montverde Academy | 2023 State FL who is a great shooter, and Fernanda Ovalle Fernanda Ovalle 5'11" | SF Montverde Academy | 2022 State FL who continues to do it all. This team is deep and tough!
Upcoming Games: 12/9 vs. The Webb School (TN), 12/18 vs. Palm Bay
2. DME Academy (12-0)
DME has won 7 in a row since my last ranking which has moved them up 3 spots. Their biggest win was a 1-point victory (49-48) over Lake Highland Prep who is now #3 in our rankings. They were fueled by a huge 3rd quarter that helped them outlast LHP. Other than that win, they had an impressive 4-point W over Bartlett (TN) and handled Winston-Salem Christian (NC), San Jose Prep, Miami, and Lake Mary pretty easily. Chloe Kitts Chloe Kitts 6'2" | SF Faith Christian Academy | 2022 FL has been the star of the show putting up over 20 ppg and nearly averaging a double-double. Sydney Shaw Sydney Shaw 5'9" | SG DME Academy | 2022 State FL is the next leading scorer who is a tough defender and sees the floor. Amiya Evans Amiya Evans 6'2" | PF DME Academy | 2022 State FL has been near that double-double target every game as well. Zeryhia-Lee Aokuso and Tyana Walker have been distributing the rock and supplying good minutes as fantastic role players to the big three. This team can go at least 10 deep each night, so you’re never going to tire them out.
Upcoming Games: 12/18 vs. Camden (SC)
3. Lake Highland Prep (8-1)
LHP has dropped to the third spot after their lone loss on the season coming from DME by 1 point. Since that first week ranking, they’ve picked up some quality wins though. They beat Hoover (AL) by 4, North Raleigh Christian Academy (NC) by 15, and Miami Country Day by 3. This team is led by their three seniors: Nyla Harris Nyla Harris 6'2" | PF Lake Highland Prep | 2022 State #34 Nation FL , Stefanie Ingram Stefanie Ingram 5'7" | CG Lake Highland | 2022 State FL , and Sierra Godbolt Sierra Godbolt 5'7" | PG Lake Highland | 2022 State FL . But, they have 2023 Eleecia Carter Eleecia Carter 5'7" | CG Lake Highland Prep | 2023 State FL who is coming into her own, and 2024’s Briana Rivera Briana Rivera 5'7" | CG Lake Highland Prep | 2024 State FL and Lexi Blue Lexi Blue 6'1" | SF Lake Highland Prep | 2024 State FL who has made huge strides in their game which is showcasing on a national level. Add in 2024 transfer Camila De Pool Maisonet Camila De Pool Maisonet 5'6" | SG Lake Highland Prep | 2024 State FL and a promising young talent in 2025 Arianna Woodard Arianna Woodard 5'10" | PG Lake Highland Prep | 2025 State FL and you have a team that is ranked statewide and nationally with good years to come. They’ll be the top team on this list looking to repeat as a 4A Florida State Champion with Palm Bay looking to be their toughest competition.
Upcoming Games: 12/18 vs. Cardinal Newman (SC)
4. IMG Academy (4-0)
IMG is jumping up 5 spots with amount of talent being recognized nationally after the girls program has been overshadowed. They’ve knocked off 3 Miami teams recently with the closest one being a 69-42 game against Miami Country Day. Kailyn Gilbert Kailyn Gilbert 5'8" | CG IMG Academy | 2022 State FL is doing her thing at an elite level, Grace VanSlooten Grace VanSlooten 6'3" | PF IMG Academy | 2022 State #23 Nation FL is a star, and Catalina Ion Catalina Ion 6'1" | SF IMG Academy | 2022 State FL is that third piece that is happy to have these two this year as they are planning to win a ton of games. They’ll get their biggest test on this trip to DC for the Capital Invitational and She’s Got Game Classic against three very good teams.
Upcoming Games: 12/9 vs. St John’s (DC), 12/10 vs. Duncanville (TX), 12/11 vs. St. Paul VI (VA)
5. St. Thomas Aquinas (4-0)
STA moves down to the #5 spot with their most impressive win coming against Blanche Ely by a score of 45-44 after a big block to seal the win. They are by far the best team they have faced, but they’ll be tested again soon. 6A is going to be a fight this year between those two and Wekiva playing some fantastic basketball. This team is another deep team with 2022’s Jada Green Jada Green 6'0" | PF St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 State FL , Breanna Gustave Breanna Gustave 5'7" | CG St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 State FL , and Maya Williams Maya Williams 5'6" | CG St Thomas Aquinas | 2022 State FL leading the way. 2023’s Karina Gordon Karina Gordon 5'8" | CG St. Thomas Aquinas | 2023 State FL , Alancia Ramsey Alancia Ramsey 6'0" | PF St Thomas Aquinas | 2023 State FL , and Reina Green Reina Green 5'10" | CG St. Thomas Aquinas | 2023 State FL are some of the best in their class. They also have 2024 Kamryn Corporan Kamryn Corporan 5'3" | PG St. Thomas Aquinas | 2024 State FL who has been playing , and you can’t forget about 2025 Nyla McFadden Nyla McFadden 5'11" | SF St. Thomas Aquinas | 2025 State FL who is already showing her skills in her first year. They’ll look to rattle off a couple wins this week before their schedule starts to heat up.
Upcoming Games: 12/10 vs. Dr. Phillips, 12/11 vs. Boyd Anderson
6. Central Pointe (10-2)
CPCA has the second most wins on this list, and their two losses came to the top two teams in this ranking (Montverde by 14 & DME by 5). They stay at #6 with some nice wins mixed in with “quality” losses. They took down Bishop Kenny by 3 points, and haven’t really had a close game since that one before Thanksgiving. USF commit Daniela Gonzalez Daniela Gonzalez 6'0" | SF Central Pointe Academy | 2022 State FL has been on an absolute tear this year with her long and athletic frame putting up some huge numbers. Naylee Cortes Naylee Cortes 5'11" | PF Central Pointe Academy | 2022 State FL and Sofia Munoz Sofia Munoz 5'7" | CG Central Pointe Christian | 2025 State FL have also put together some nice games to start off the year. This stacked team is going to start getting more national exposure starting with the She Got Game Classic in DC.
Upcoming Games: 12/10 vs. National Christian Academy (MD), 12/11 vs. Life Center Academy (NJ), 12/12 vs. PHH Prep (AZ)
7. Wekiva (8-0)
Wekiva was previously on the watch list but unranked. They are now in this spot thanks to a huge win over American Heritage (Plantation), and some other quality W’s over Brooks DeBartolo, Apopka, and Miami HS. The Mustangs have a trio of seniors that have been holding down the scoring, owning the boards, and leading this team. Rylan Moffitt, Shaniyah McCarthy Shaniyah McCarthy 5'8" | CG Wekiva | 2022 State FL , and K’Nari Holliday are those 2022’s that have given this team success in the early weeks of the season. 2024 Jada Eads Jada Eads 5'6" | PG Lake Highland Prep | 2024 State FL might be the best player on this team, though. She’s looked as poised as ever as a playmaking underclassmen. You can never count out a Wekiva team.
Upcoming Games: 12/9 vs. Colonial, 12/11 vs. San Jose Prep, 12/14 vs. Edgewater, 12/15 vs. Eustis
8. Blanche Ely (4-3)
The Tigers might be just above .500, but their 3 losses were to Woodward Academy (GA, 6-1) by 2 in OT, Montverde by 21, and St. Thomas Aquinas by 1. Their best win of the year came against Westminster by 10 earlier this month. Zaria Blake Zaria Blake 6'0" | SF Blanche Ely | 2022 State FL has been showcasing her length and athleticism on both ends as a top player in the 2022 class. Michiyah Simmons Michiyah Simmons 5'8" | PG Blanche Ely | 2022 State FL is another top 2022 that is arguably the best overall player in Broward County. She’s played against some giants and she still holds her own. Mya Kone Mya Kone 6'1" | SF Blanche Ely | 2022 State FL recently commmitted to James Madison University and has reminded everyone who she is after being out for a bit. This team has had some early season tests that will prepare them to attempt to dethrone STA in 6A.
Upcoming Games: 12/11 vs. Deerfield Beach, 12/14 vs. Schoolhouse Prep
9. American Heritage (Plantation) (5-1)
This team is down two spots and may have lost some firepower/depth from last year, but they are definitely favorites to get another ’ship in 5A. The trio of seniors is what really makes this team’s motor run. Joey Delancy Joey Delancy 5'8" | CG American Heritage | 2022 State FL impacts the game everywhere with smooth operation on both ends. FSU commit Ta’Niya Latson Ta’Niya Latson 5'8" | CG American Heritage | 2022 State #47 Nation FL was a huge transfer that is incredibly athletic, pushes the tempo, and disrupts on defense. Their one loss was a struggle in the first half against Wekiva that led to a 2 point loss after an impressive comeback. They took it to Miami Christian and Colonial in their two best wins of the year so far. Look for them to continue improving with Ta’Niya getting situated.
Upcoming Games: 12/10 vs. Dade Christian, 12/11 vs. Dr. Phillips, 12/17 vs. Dillard
10.Palm Bay (7-3)
The Pirates have a couple bad losses by 20+ to really good teams in Winston-Salem Christian National (NC) and Hoover (AL) which has taken them to the bottom of this ranking. Their other loss is by 4 points to Miami Country Day after they were outscored by ten in the fourth quarter. Notre Dame commit Emma Risch Emma Risch 6'2" | PG Palm Bay | 2023 State #23 Nation FL has been leading the way with over 20 ppg, 6 rpg, and nearly 3 assists and steals per game. Kiara Williams Kiara Williams 6'1" | PF Palm Bay Magnet | 2024 State FL is a top 2024 with massive potential given her size and ability to use it around the rim. Alonya Waldon Alonya Waldon 5'5" | CG Palm Bay Magnet | 2023 State FL and Jazmine Major Jazmine Major 5'5" | CG Palm Bay Magnet | 2023 State FL are their firecracker guards that give this team a spark on defense and see the floor well with some scoring to aid Emma. Tyra King Tyra King 6'1" | PF Palm Bay Magnet | 2024 FL is another 2024 post for Palm Bay who is seeing some improvement and valuable PT. They are hanging on by a thread in the top 10 with the teams below breathing down their necks…
Upcoming Games: 12/9 vs. Eau Gallie, 12/10 vs. Timber Creek, 12/14 vs. Bayside, 12/18 vs. Montverde
Teams to Watch: Colonial, Miami Country Day, Seminole Ridge, Westminster Academy, Gulf Coast, Florida State University High School, Calvary Christian (Ft. Lauderdale), Miami Christian, Cardinal Mooney, Brooks DeBartolo, Clearwater, San Jose Prep, Nease