Dandy Dozen: girls hoops rankings Week 1

1. Clearwater (6-0)
On tap: Mon. vs. Pinellas Park; Wed. at Tarpon Springs.
Comment: The Tornadoes solidified the No. 1 spot with quality victories over St. Petersburg (55-39), Sarasota Christian (41-31) and Bradenton Southeast (57-54, OT) over Thanksgiving week.

2. Boca Ciega (4-1)
On tap: Mon. vs. Osceola; Thurs. at Northeast; Fri. vs. Palm Harbor University.
Comment: Tory Stephens, right, and Latavia Dempsey are averaging 16 points each for the Pirates. Dempsey, however, was held scoreless in Bogie's lone loss (36-28) against Sarasota Riverview.

3. Jefferson (4-0)
On tap: Tues. vs. Plant; Wed. vs. Middleton; Fri at Leto.
Comment: Dragons' stingy defense gave up a paltry 43 points in their first three games before squeaking out a 10-point win (67-57) over Tampa Catholic on Saturday.

4. Plant (3-0)
On tap: Tues. at Jefferson; Wed. at Robinson; Fri. vs. Hillsborough
Comment: The Panthers, with three players – Ganice Macho (15.3 points), Michelle Taylor (15.3) and Kelly Brennan (11.5) averaging double figures – have a huge intercounty road test at No. 3 Jefferson on  Tuesday.

5. Gulf (3-0)
On tap: Tues. at Pasco; Wed. at Springstead; Fri. at Wiregrass Ranch.
Comment: Sophomore guard Nicole Adams is the area’s second-leading scorer at 25.3 points a game. Trailing closely behind is teammate Kianna Mills, a junior forward contributing 21.3 points.

6. St. Petersburg Catholic (4-0)
On tap: Tues. at Academy of the Holy Names
Comment: Sasha who? Jerica Coley dropped 24 points and dished out eight assists on Gibbs to win the Lady Baron Thanksgiving Shootout.

7. Wesley Chapel (3-0)
On tap: Tues. vs. Central; Fri. at Sunlake.
Comment: Veteran coach Karim Nohra is off to a fast start in his first year roaming the Wildcats sideline with wins over Wiregrass Ranch (65-43) and Academy (55-52) to open the season.

8. Gibbs (3-1)
On tap: Mon. vs. Dixie Hollins; Tues. at Largo; Wed. at Palm Harbor University; Thurs. at  Seminole.
Comment: Busy week for the Gladiators with four games in four days. Traveling to PHU and Seminole on consecutive days won’t be a cakewalk either.

9. Tampa Catholic (5-1)
On tap: Mon. vs. Clearwater Central Catholic; Fri. at Academy of the Holy Names.
Comment: TC was within striking distance of Jefferson on Friday trailing by two points after three quarters. The Crusaders let the upset opportunity slip away however in a 67-57 loss.

10. Armwood (4-0)
On tap: Tues. vs. Bloomingdale; Wed. at Brandon; Friday at Tampa Bay Tech
Comment: An overtime victory on opening night against a good East Bay squad got Armwood off to a rousing start. A two point (47-45) win over traditional E. Hillsborough power Riverview showed the Hawks are for real.

11. Wiregrass Ranch (3-1)
On tap: Tues. at Springstead; Thurs. at Berkeley Prep; Fri. vs. Gulf.
Comment: Regan Knapik recorded team highs in points (14) and assists (7) in a 62-57 upset of
Nature Coast.  A 22-point loss (65-43) to Wesley Chapel a day later however has since brought the Bulls back down to Earth.

12. St. Petersburg (2-1)
On tap: Tues. vs. Seminole; Wed. at Countryside; Friday at Gaither.
Comment: 28 points from senior Jazmyne Green lifted St. Pete over Sickles 53-39 in a possible district title preview. A 21-10 fourth quarter doomed St. Pete in a narrow loss (55-39) at Clearwater.

-- BRYAN BURNS