Dandy Dozen: boys hoops rankings Week 1

No. 1 Sickles (3-2)
On tap: Tues. at Countryside; Thurs. vs. St. Petersburg
Comment: The Gryphons began the season ranked fifth in the Class 6A state poll while showcasing North Carolina signee John Henson against a pair of wins against Freedom (63-27) and Hillsborough (58-47). A tough tournament against some out-of-state teams resulted in a pair of losses to Illinois Cahokia (69-66) and Chicago De La Salle (67-45), but one more win over Texas North Richland Hills (69-66).

No. 2 Lakewood (0-0)
On tap: Wed. vs. Northeast; Fri. vs. Gibbs
Comment: They lost a lot of size in Mike Morrison (George Mason), but they are quick and athletic and should be a better shooting team. Keep and eye on guards Shamon Cox, right, and Dominic Lane.

No. 3 Clearwater (0-0)
On tap: Tues. at Dunedin; Fri. at Largo
Comment: The Tornadoes made quick work of Hudson (69-47) and Ridgewood (55-50) in a preseason tournament. They return three starters from last year's team that made it to the region quarterfinals. They have one of the best front courts in the county in Okaro White (committed to Florida State this week) and Julien Sargent.

No. 4 Berkeley Prep (0-1)
On tap: Tues. at Bradenton Christian; Fri. vs. Lennard
Comment: Tough loss to Oldsmar Christian (55-49) last week, but the Buccaneers had three scorers in double figures, including Johnathan Gray (15), Austin Suarez (12) and Christian Reintgen (10).

No. 5 Ridgewood (1-1)
On tap: Tues. at Hudson; Wed. vs. Pasco; Fri. vs. River Ridge
Comment: The Rams are off to a tough start with la preseason loss to Clearwater (55-50) and a regular-season loss to Oldsmar Christian (71-60). Ridgewood bounced back for a win over Mitchell (55-39).

No. 6 Boca Ciega (1-0)
On tap: Fri. at Seminole
Comment: The Pirates defeated Palm Harbor University (82-41) and have preseason wins against Palmetto Ridge (79-74) and Baker (74-70). They're led by Myron Dempsey and Richard Prince. 

No. 7 Bloomingdale (2-0)
On tap: Tonight vs. Wharton; Wed. vs. Riverview; Thurs. at Newsome
Comment: The Bulls have defeated Spoto (64-30) and East Bay (62-28) and Sean Rooks looks more like a rock averaging 31 points in two games.

No. 8 Tampa Prep (2-0)
On tap: Tues. at St. Petersburg; Fri. at Interlachen; Sat. at St. Francis
Comment: The Terrapins have defeated Lennard (77-50) and Durant (59-51) thanks to scoring from Jamal Cherry (18.5 ppg), Jake Haslam (12 ppg) and Jay Bowie (11.5 ppg). Bowie has 29 rebounds in two games.

No. 9 King (1-0)
On tap: Tonight vs. Armwood, Thurs. at Tampa Bay Tech
Comment: The Lions are off to a good start with a 74-31 win over Lennard. Three scorers in double figures including Reshard Brown (14), Rethell Oliver (13) and Toarlyn Fitzpatrick (11).

No. 10 East Lake (1-0)
On tap: Tues. vs. Tarpon Springs, Thurs. at Pinellas Park
Comment: The Eagles defeated Seminole (47-46) while nursing some injuries. They should be a tougher team as they continue heal.

No. 11 Largo (1-0)
On tap: Thurs. vs. Dunedin, Fri. vs. Clearwater
Comment: The Packers defeated Countryside (73-69). They lost Ben Patrick in the offseason, who transferred to Dunedin. They'll meet head-to-head for a reunion Thursday night when Patrick comes home.

No. 12 St. Petersburg (0-1)
On tap: Tues. at Alonso, Wed. vs. Osceola, Thurs. vs. Sickles
Comment: The Green Devils return a decent amount of talent from last season. They'll have their biggest district test of the season Thursday when they face Sickles.

-- IZZY GOULD
izzygould@me.com

Comments

[hshoopsfan]

Hey everyone OCS beat USA#16 ranked Montverde on their home court last night.

Was not luck, OCS led whole game. Fantastic night for us as parents and the players. The look on the faces will be with us a lifetime.

And for the all the critics of our family & program, this was our State Championship. One other thing, I doubt any kid who plays bball in this area will ever experience in their hs careers any moment that will equal what the kids at OCS experienced last night, notwithstanding any state championship. It was truly a "hoosier" like atmosphere in the gym.

Small school upsets national power!

[Hoopinit]

Oldsmar Christian beat Monte Verde last night on the road. Because they are independent they play a much tougher schedule. Berkley Prep, Monte Verde, Orlando Christian Prep to name a few. These are much better teams than Clearwater or any other team in Pinellas county. They are by far #1 in any ratings poll!

[jimmy]

todays st pete times has an article about a middle school Principal who is under investigation for mishandling $300.00 and she has been removed with pay until the investigation, but a coach who is a drivers ed instructor cannot not account for god knows how many thousands of dolllars is given a break...where is the justice...Principal vs Drivers Ed...sounds like there are others who could have lost their jobs if they went after the coach

[ctwhat2]

rspp is an idiot & btw ppark sucks

[RSPP]

Then you are a moron

[RSPP]

So what do all you CT peeps think of Carden so far??

[Times Editor]

Actually, to be considered for the Dandy Dozen, a team has to play a district sched. Oldsmar is an independent school.

[Izzy Gould]

bball fan is correct: To be considered for the Dandy Dozen the team must be a member of the FHSAA.

[ctwhat2]

CT should be number one or at least two the wood has nothin this year

[bball fan]

I agree Oldsmar had a good week, but they are not part of the FHSAA amd maybe not up for consideration.

[michael]

Oldsmar Christian beat Ridgewood and Berkeley in the same week and can't get on the list? Wow.

[wooden otb]

where is ppark??? your kidding ...right.........its behind a trailor park where its always been.this is the top 12.the best team on the street is morgan fitzgerald---ppark is a distant 2nd.

[peterpuffer]

berkley prep is 0-1 also

[peterpuffer]

so ridgewood is 1-1 and they are 2, and st.pete is 0-1

where is ppark.... hmmm