First Five in Tampa Bay: Week 3 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 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:
1. IMG (4-0)
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. 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 Kailyn Gilbert Kailyn Gilbert 5'8" | CG IMG Academy | 2022 State FL and Oregon commit Grace VanSlooten Grace VanSlooten 6'3" | PF IMG Academy | 2022 State #23 Nation FL have been putting on a show these first few weeks.
2. Cardinal Mooney (5-1)
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. Olivia Davis Olivia Davis 5'7" | CG Cardinal Mooney | 2023 State FL (20.5 ppg), Jordyn Byrd Jordyn Byrd 6'3" | PF Cardinal Mooney | 2023 State #25 Nation FL (9.7 rpg, 2 bpg), and Kennedy McClain Kennedy McClain 5'11" | SF Sarasota | 2024 State FL (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 Kali Barrett Kali Barrett 6'2" | SF Cardinal Mooney | 2025 State FL 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.
3. Brooks DeBartolo (4-2)
The Phoenix began their season with three straight wins, but have stumbled to lose two of their last three. Jaela Davis Jaela Davis 5'7" | CG Brooks DeBartolo | 2022 State FL is putting up good numbers to start the year, and they are pretty consistent outside of her with a set of four 2023’s: Tyra Kennedy Tyra Kennedy 5'6" | CG Brooks DeBartolo | 2023 State FL , Skye McCloud, Alaina Williams Alaina Williams 6'1" | PF Brooks De Bartelo | 2023 State FL , and Maia Lewers Maia Lewers 5'5" | CG Brooks DeBartolo | 2023 State FL . 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.
4. Clearwater (4-2)
The Tornadoes are another local team looking to make a postseason run. They’re still without NJIT commit Kyleigh Welsh Kyleigh Welsh 6'3" | PF Clearwater HS | 2022 State FL , 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 Liv Fuller Liv Fuller 5'10" | SF Clearwater | 2023 State FL and Ace Sturdivant Ace Sturdivant 5'10" | CG Clearwater | 2023 State FL are contributing all over, and underclassmen Beckham Hockley Beckham Hockley 5'7" | PG Sickles | 2024 State FL 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.
5. Carrollwood Day (5-1)
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 LeighAnn Hanley LeighAnn Hanley 6'1" | PF Carrollwood Day | 2024 State FL and 2022 Carlee Janikowski-Warden Carlee Janikowski-Warden 6'2" | PF Carrollwood Day | 2022 State FL down low, and a quick 2022 guard in Ceniya King to help Burden take care of the ball. Leah Bullard Leah Bullard 6'1" | PF Dr Phillips | 2024 State FL should be a key factor on this team as a versatile player that continues to develop.
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).
*I’m sure there is a team or two missing, and there will be some new names pop-up as the season progresses.*