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HomeTeam 15: Girls basketball power rankings for Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay Tech holds steady at the top as the district tournament edges closer.
 
Published Jan. 14, 2019

The Elite

1. Tampa Bay Tech (15-3)

This week: Tuesday at Bloomingdale, Wednesday vs. Newsome, Friday at Lennard

Why they stayed put: No problem at all in two games last week. There are two district games this week (Bloomingdale and Lennard) and the Titans should cruise. What makes them a top team is their ability to spread out the scoring. Freshman Janiah Barker is the only player who averages double figures (13.9 ppg), but four others average between seven and nine points per game.

2. Carrollwood Day (14-1)

This week: Monday at Tampa Prep, Tuesday at St. Petersburg Catholic, Thursday at Brooks DeBartolo, Friday vs. Indian Rocks Christian

Why they moved up: The Patriots haven't been challenged since a Nov. 20 loss to Winter Haven. In fact, they have outscored opponents by an average of 79-26. Brooks DeBartolo is the challenge this week. The Phoenix narrowly lost to Seffner Christian on Saturday.

3. Plant (13-3)

This week: Tuesday vs. Freedom, Wednesday at Wiregrass Ranch, Friday vs. Gaither

Why they moved down: The Panthers are back to their winning ways after losing three straight in the Naples tournament over the break. They won three last week and none of the games were close. All three games this week are against Class 8A, District 8 opponents. Plant is still undefeated in the district, but Freedom could be a challenge.

4. Lakewood (12-4)

This week: Thursday at Bradenton Southeast, Friday at Winter Haven, Saturday vs. Miami Norland (in Winter Haven)

Why they stayed put: The Spartans always want to play a tough schedule and this week is proof. Coming off a three-point loss to Spruce Creek on Saturday, they hit the road at the end of the week to play two state powers. The idea is to get the team ready for the region tournament, even if the win-loss record takes a hit. And Southeast is the toughest team in Class 6A, District 11.

5. Robinson (10-2)

This week: Tuesday vs. Middleton, Wednesday vs. King

Why they stayed put: The Knights bounced back from two losses at the Florida Prospects tournament by getting two wins last week. One of them was a defensive 37-30 district win over Jefferson. Robinson is currently on top of Class 6A, District 9. Middleton is the district game this week.

On the cusp

6. Weeki Wachee (16-1)

This week: Tuesday vs. Lecanto, Thursday vs. Nature Coast, Friday vs. Central

Why they stayed put: The Hornets had no trouble with defending Class A state champion Wildwood last week, winning 46-31. All three games this week are against Class 6A-7 opponents. There are only three teams in the seven-team district that have winning records. Lecanto is one of them at 9-6. Weeki Wachee appears to clearly be the top team.

7. Clearwater (11-1)

This week: Wednesday vs. Dunedin, Thursday vs. Osceola, Friday vs. Palm Harbor University

Why they stayed put: The Tornadoes came off a 2-1 showing at the Tampa Bay Christmas tournament by beating both Northeast, Countryside and Boca Ciega last week. Alexzadria Head and Iyanna George are both shooters who can put up big points. D'Mya Ferguson can get to the basket, which makes Clearwater a hard team to defend.

8. Seffner Christian (12-6)

This week: Friday at Calvary Christian

Why they moved up: The Crusaders are getting better and better. Senior Brylee Bartram has been the leader as expected. She averages 18.4 points per game and has made 81 3-pointers. The lone game this week is against a Class 4A, District 4 opponent. Seffner Christian is undefeated (4-0) in district play.

9. Armwood (11-1)

This week: Tuesday at Hillsborough, Wednesday vs. Jefferson, Friday at King

Why they moved up: The Hawks haven't lost since the opener against Robinson. Their closest game since then was a nine-point win over Weeki Wachee. It should be more of the same this week. They average nearly 60 points per game and could go far once regionals roll around.

10. Brooks DeBartolo (14-5)

This week: Thursday vs. Carrollwood Day

Why they moved down: This is a tough stretch for the Phoenix. Brooks DeBartolo fell to Seffner Christian on Saturday and get the Patriots on Thursday. They are undefeated in Class 5A, District 9 and have a good chance to be the top seed. The young team is led by freshman Jaela Davis and sophomore Amarie Godwin, both of whom average 13 points per game. Sophomore Triniti Youngblood has also been a scorer on a team with just two seniors.

Don’t overlook

11. East Lake (13-2)

This week: Today vs. Tarpon Springs, Tuesday at Dixie Hollins, Friday vs. Pinellas Park

Why they stayed put: The Eagles got two district wins last week over Seminole and St. Petersburg. Tarpon Springs is the toughest game this week. Summer Quigley is up to nearly 25 points per game. She is helped by nearly 12 points by Raygen Bostick.

12. River Ridge (16-3)

This week: Tuesday at Anclote, Thursday at Wesley Chapel

Why they stayed put: Since a loss to Tarpon Springs over the break, the Knights have won five straight. And they are doing it without their top scorer, I'ces Utegg, who is out with a knee injury. They score around 45 points per game, but good defense has kept them winning.

13. Land O’Lakes (10-3)

This week: Thursday vs. Sunlake, Friday at Wesley Chapel

Why they stayed put: Last week started with a loss to Weeki Wachee. No shame in that. The Gators followed with wins over Pasco and Mitchell. The two main scorers have been Trinity Blanc (13.3 ppg) and Mia Nicholson (11.5 ppg). Wesley Chapel will be a test this week.

14. Jefferson (12-3)

This week: Tuesday vs. Riverview, Wednesday at Armwood

Why they stayed put: Last week started with a loss to Robinson but the Dragons bounced back with two wins. Armwood will certainly be a test this week. Senior Nyanna Williams is one of the best players in the area and averages 26.9 points per game.

15. Bayshore Christian (14-1)

This week: Monday vs. Tampa Adventist Academy, Thursday at Zephyrhills Christian, Friday vs. Lakeside Christian

Why they stayed put: The Faith Warriors have only eight players but continue to win. Senior Domenica Zamora leads the team with 18 points per game. They have won 10 straight and have a good chance to extend that this week.

On the bubble: Wesley Chapel (12-1), Hernando Christian (11-1), Calvary Christian (10-3), Wiregrass Ranch (13-6), Tampa Prep (10-2), Keswick Christian (13-4), Countryside (10-4).