SBLive Florida Girls Basketball Rankings (Jan. 31): Montverde Academy moves to No. 1 after win over Lake Highland Prep

After knocking off No. 1 Lake Highland Prep 59-51 last week Montverde Academy moves to No. 1 in the latest SBLive Florida high school girls basketball rankings.

After knocking off No. 1 Lake Highland Prep 59-51 last week Montverde Academy moves to No. 1 in the latest SBLive Florida high school girls basketball rankings.

District tournament play starts around the state this week. Which teams will punch their ticket to the regional playoffs? Stay tuned.

SBLive’s rankings are compiled by Ross Van De Griek and are released weekly during the 2021-22 season.

SBLIVE FLORIDA GIRLS BASKETBALL RANKINGS

Jan 31, 2022

1. Montverde Academy (18-3)

Previous Rank: 2

Last Week: Defeated Charlotte (Punta Gorda) 68-48, Defeated Lake Highland Prep 59-51

This Week: No games scheduled

After defeating previous No. 1 Lake Highland Prep in their last game, the Montverde Academy Lady Eagles take over as the new No. 1 ranked team in this week’s poll.

1. Lake Highland Prep (18-4)

Previous Rank: 1

Last Week: Defeated Timber Creek 66-44, Lost to Montverde Academy 59-51

This Week: vs Atlantic (Tues.) 

The Lady Highlanders drew the No. 1 seed in the District 4A-6 Tournament which is scheduled to begin tomorrow night.

1. Wekiva (19-2)

Previous Rank: 3

Last Week: Defeated Dr. Phillips 58-52

This Week: vs TBD (Wed.) (District 6A-5 Tournament)

The Lady Mustangs remain No. 3 in this week’s SBLive Florida girls’ basketball rankings.

1. St. Thomas Aquinas (20-4)

Previous Rank: 6

Last Week: Lost to Miami Country Day 58-55, Defeated Flanagan 57-5, Defeated Western 79-37, Defeated Dillard 65-51

This Week: vs TBD (Wed.) (District 6A-14 Tournament)

Despite losing earlier in the week to Miami Country Day, the Lady Raiders capped off the week with three straight wins including a BCAA title with their win over Dillard on Saturday night.

1. American Heritage (Plantation) (18-4)

Previous Rank: 5

Last Week: No games scheduled

This Week: vs TBD (Wed.) (District 5A-14 Tournament)

The Lady Patriots round out the Top 5 and haven’t played since January 22 against IMG Academy. The Lady Patriots clinched the No. 1 seed in the District 5A-14 Tournament and will face either Boynton Beach or Coconut Creek on Wednesday night.

1. Blanche Ely (15-8)

Previous Rank: 4

Last Week: Lost to Everglades 51-48

This Week: vs Plantation (Tues.) (District 6A-14 Tournament)

The Lady Tigers are the No. 2 seed in the District 6A-14 Tournament and will face Plantation in their opening round matchup tomorrow night.

1. Sarasota Riverview (18-0)

Previous Rank: 7

Last Week: Defeated Lakewood Ranch 72-50, Defeated Southeast (Bradenton) 70-31, Defeated Fort Myers 51-42

This Week: vs TBD (Wed.) (District 7A-8 Tournament)

The Lady Rams clinched the No. 1 seed in the District 7A-8 Tournament and will face either Sarasota or North Port in the semifinals on Wednesday night.

1. Seminole Ridge (12-1)

Previous Rank: 8

Last Week: Defeated Santaluces 72-43

This Week: vs TBD (Tues.) (District 6A-13 Tournament)

The Lady Hawks clinched the No. 1 seed in the District 6A-13 Tournament and will face either Atlantic (Delray Beach) or South Fork in the semifinals tomorrow night.

1. Florida State University High (Tallahassee) (15-3)

Previous Rank: 9

Last Week: Defeated Gadsden County 79-40, Defeated Pine Forest 69-55

This Week: vs Pensacola Catholic (Wed.) (District 3A-1 Tournament)

The Lady Seminoles ended the regular season, on a 6-game winning streak and will now face Pensacola Catholic in their opening round matchup of the District 3A-1 Tournament, hosted by the Seminoles.

1.  Westminster Academy (20-5)

Previous Rank: 12

Last Week: Defeated Boca Raton 57-10, Defeated Archbishop McCarthy 66-22, Defeated Cardinal Newman 59-16

This Week: vs Avant Grande Academy (Mon.) (District 3A-13 Tournament)

The Lady Lions may be the hottest team in the state, heading into the district tournament. Senior guard Claire Erickson, along with freshman guards Abby Price and Lena Girardi have been a good trio this season. They’ll face Avant Grande Academy in the opening round of the District 3A-13 tournament, hosted by Westminster Academy.

1.  Brooks-DeBartolo (17-5)

Previous Rank: Not Ranked

Last Week: Defeated Wesley Chapel 62-31

This Week: vs TBD (Tues.) (District 3A-5 Tournament)

The Lady Phoenix are back in the rankings for the first time since mid-December. The Phoenix are the No. 1 seed in the District 3A-5 tournament and will face either Bell Creek Academy or Tampa Prep in the semifinals tomorrow night at Seffner Christian.

1.  Miami Country Day (17-8)

Previous Rank: 13

Last Week: Defeated St. Thomas Aquinas 58-55, Defeated Benjamin (Palm Beach Gardens) 59-16, Lost to Charlotte (Punta Gorda) 58-56

This Week: vs TBD (District 3A-14 Tournament)

Despite the loss to Charlotte (Punta Gorda) in their last game on a buzzer-beater by senior guard Aryana Hicks. The Lady Spartans move up one spot in this week’s rankings. 

1.  Dr. Phillips (19-6)

Previous Rank: 11

Last Week: Defeated Horizon 61-54, Defeated Faith Christian 65-37, Lost to Wekiva 58-52

This Week: vs TBD (Wed.) (District 7A-5 Tournament)

The Lady Panthers ended their regular season, with a tough six-point loss to Wekiva. However, the Lady Panthers got the No. 1 seed in the District 7A-5 Tournament and will await the Windermere/Olympia winner on Wednesday night in the semifinals.

1.  Gulf Coast (20-3)

Previous Rank: Not Ranked

Last Week: Defeated Evangelical Christian 61-24, Defeated Fort Myers 65-32

This Week: vs TBD (Wed.) (District 7A-8 Tournament)

The Lady Sharks drew the No. 2 seed in this week’s District 7A-8 Tournament and will await the Lehigh-Venice winner on Wednesday night in the semifinals. The Sharks also come into this week’s district tournament on a 9-game winning streak.

1.  Fort Walton Beach (17-4)

Previous Rank: 14

Last Week: Defeated South Walton 61-51

This Week: vs TBD (Wed.) (District 6A-2 Tournament)

The Lady Vikings clinched the No. 1 seed in this week’s District 6A-2 Tournament and will await the Niceville-Chiles (Tallahassee) winner on Wednesday night in the semifinals.

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On The Bubble: Bishop Kenny, Carrollwood Day, Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale), Charlotte (Punta Gorda), Colonial, Faith Christian, Miami High, Nease, Orange Park, Palm Bay, Plant (Tampa), Seffner Christian, Spruce Creek, St. Augustine, Wildwood, Winter Haven.