Nashville area Large Class boys basketball rankings: See who opened as No. 1

Entering the second week of the new year for the Tennessee high school boys basketball season, Nashville area programs settle into meaningful district games this month.

Here is a look at the season's first Large Class boys basketball poll. The Large Class consists of schools in Class 3A, 4A and Division II-AA.

1. Ravenwood (15-1) – The Raptors, led by Evan Gainer and Rocco Lamuno, quickly established themselves as one of the top teams in the Nashville area with a 14-0 start. It lost a two-point game to Franklin last week, but recovered by edging Nolensville on Friday. This week: at Summit (Tues); vs. Page (Fri).

2. Independence (14-3) – With the school's all-time scoring leader, and Southern Miss commit Jett Montgomery, leading the way, have won five straight including a pair of District 10-4A wins against Brentwood and Centennial last week. This week: at Page (Tues); at Franklin (Fri).

3. Siegel (15-2) – After starting the season 1-2, Siegel has run off 14 straight wins and face District 8-4A teams for the next month. This week: vs. Riverdale (Tues); vs. Oakland (Fri).

4. Pope John Paul II (14-2) – The Knights returned from Daytona Beach, over the holidays, with three wins and picked up two more last week against MBA and Brentwood Academy. This week: vs. Father Ryan (Tues); at Ensworth (Fri).

5. Brentwood Academy (12-5) – The reigning Gatorade Player of the Year in Tennessee and Vanderbilt signee, Tyler Tanner, poured in 42 points last Tuesday against Father Ryan. The Eagles lost to Pope John Paul II on Saturday to snap a four-game win streak. This week: vs. CPA (Tues); vs. Blackman (Sat).

6. Franklin (10-4) – After a trio of wins in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, the Admirals captured two of its biggest in-state wins of the season with consecutive victories against District 10 rivals Ravenwood and Brentwood. This week: at Nolensville (Tues); vs. Independence (Fri).

7. Cookeville (13-3) – Only two points are keeping Cookeville from a a one-loss record at the midway point of the season. The Cavaliers easily took care of Stone Memorial in its lone game last week. This week: vs. Smyrna (Tues); vs. York Institute (Thurs).

8. Green Hill (12-3) – Green Hill has won seven of its last eight, including a pair against Lebanon and Hillsboro with its only hiccup a three-point loss to Independence. This week: vs. Hendersonville (Tues); at Mt. Juliet (Fri).

9. Hillsboro (6-2) – The Burros didn't play last week and haven't played since Dec. 29. Hillsboro is led by Arnez Anderson, Cortez Graham-Howard and Xavier Washington who was named MVP of the Kerry Malone Classic two weeks ago. This week: vs. Hunters Lane (Tues); vs. East Nashville (Thurs); at Overton (Fri).

10. Brentwood (10-3) – The Bruins were rolling until a pair of losses last week slowed Brentwood's progress. The Bruins lost to Independence and Franklin by a combined nine points but are led by one of the top forwards in Middle Tennessee in Daniel Cochran. This week: at Centennial (Tues); vs. Nolensville (Thurs).

Reach sports writer George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com and on the X platform (formerly Twitter) @Cville_Sports.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TSSAA basketball: Ravenwood is No. 1 in Large Class boys rankings