Power Rankings: Which area basketball, soccer programs land in the new Big Bend rankings
A new week means new rankings for winter sports in the Big Bend.
With district soccer tournaments getting underway and the basketball season entering the final stretch of the season where do area programs rank in the latest rankings?
As programs cement spots at the top of the rankings, there is some movement with some of the area's best programs.
Schedules, stats, records and names are taken from Maxpreps.com
Previous rankings: Power Rankings: Which area basketball, soccer programs make the polls ahead of postseason
Boys Basketball
1. Rickards (15-5)
Previous Rankings: 1
It's another week at the top of the rankings for the Raiders following three wins in a row, including wins over Godby and Milton. Randall Pompey and Benjamin Plummer are the leading one-two punch for Rickards this season, with Pompey averaging 16.1 points per game and Plummer 10.9 a game, and the duo was influential in all three games last week.
2. Florida High (12-9)
Previous Rankings: 2
The top two remain unchanged in the rankings this week, with the Seminoles sitting in second place following a game against The Rock's national team, falling 76-60 on the road. The continued improvement in play from senior TJ Baker has helped elevate Florida High to another level, with the guard averaging 10.8 points and 5.5 assists a game after missing the first few games of the season recovering from injury.
3. Lincoln (15-3)
Previous Ranking: 3
The Trojans remain ranked third, getting big wins over Chiles and Godby last week as the team has won nine of its last 10 games as we enter the end of the regular season. Facing a packed schedule in the final two weeks of play, Lincoln is heading into a crucial stretch of the season ahead of the playoffs.
4. Crossroad Academy (12-6)
Previous Ranking: Unranked
The Scorpions enter the rankings for the first time this season, placing fourth after a strong week that included a thrilling one-point victory over Munroe. The play of senior Ja'Mari Favors has been crucial to the success of Crossroad this season, with the guard averaging 13.7 points and 2.3 assists per game helping lead the team under first-year head coach Colin Anderson.
5. Godby (10-8)
Previous Ranking: 4
The Cougars fall one spot in the rankings after falling to both Lincoln and Rickards last week and picking up a win over Gadsden County. With Jaden Stanten (12.1 points per game) and Mekhi Butler (12 points per game) leading the Cougars this season, the duo is going to be a vital piece in a deep run into the postseason for Godby.
Girls Basketball
1. Rickards (14-4)
Previous Ranking: 1
The Raiders remain the top team in the area, picking up a 53-35 win over Columbia on Saturday to secure a sixth straight victory ahead of a busy final stretch of the season. Genesis Henry has been a lights-out scorer for Rickards, averaging 17.9 points per game to power the team to be one of the top in the state and area.
2. Lincoln (16-3)
Previous Ranking: 2
The Trojans are one of the hottest teams in the area, winning seven straight including victories over Florida High and Godby last week. Jamiya Brown and Jamia Brown have been a near-unstoppable duo for Lincoln this year, helping boost the team into the conversation as one of the top teams in its classification ahead of the postseason.
3. Madison County (13-4)
Previous Ranking: 3
The Cowboys are rolling as we enter the final stretch of the season, with three straight wins for the team capping off a strong week of play for the team. It's been a superstar season for senior Janiyah McKnight, who is one of the top scorers in the state as she averages 25.9 points per game, making half of her shots with a 50% field goal average.
4. Godby (13-7)
Previous Ranking: 4
The Cougars remain ranked fourth in the rankings, falling to Lincoln and Madison County before picking up a win over Taylor County to cap off the week. Kenijah Clayton remains one of Godby's most important players, leading the team in scoring as the young roster cements itself as one of the Big Bend's most exciting programs.
5. Florida High (8-13)
Previous Ranking: 5
The Seminoles stay fifth, picking up a crucial victory over Munroe to set the team up for a strong end to the regular season. With Micah Evora and Emilie Robertson leading the team in scoring, Florida High is looking to flip it's season outcome ahead of the postseason.
Boys soccer
1. Chiles (11-3-1)
Previous Ranking: 1
As we enter the postseason, the Timberwolves remain ranked top in the rankings as the team has established itself as a potential state title contender. Capping off the season with wins over nationally ranked Gulf Breeze and a local rivalry win over Lincoln, Chiles holds the top spot.
2. Maclay (14-1-2)
Previous Ranking: 2
Remaining ranked second is Maclay, whose only loss in the regular season came at the hands of Chiles. Another team capable of making a run toward a state championship, the Marauders have one of the best offenses in the area scoring 68 goals this season.
3. Leon (13-7-1)
Previous ranking: 3
The Lions remain ranked third, as it faces a huge matchup in the district tournament, facing Chiles in the opening round. With a balanced attack and strong midfield, Leon is hoping the third time is the charm against Chiles, looking to win and advance to the tournament final.
4. Florida High (8-6-2)
Previous Ranking: 4
The Seminoles round out the top four, looking to be on a collision course with Maclay in the 3A district tournament. One of the area's most well-balanced teams, Florida High could make some noise in the playoffs.
Girls soccer
1. Lincoln (11-5-1)
Previous Ranking: 1
The Trojans remain ranked top in the rankings, beating every program in the area that it's faced this season. A heavy favorite to make a deep postseason run, Lincoln sits atop the polls as it continues to be one of the top scoring teams in the area.
2. Chiles (10-3-3)
Previous Ranking: 2
Sitting second place in the rankings is Chiles, who like Lincoln, are likely to make a deep run into the postseason and compete for multiple titles. The Timberwolves have an elite attack, led by Kyra Swart who has scored 15 goals this season to lead the line.
3. Florida High (11-4)
Previous Ranking: 3
The Seminoles sit third in the rankings as the young core of the roster looks to compete for a district title and make a deep run into the playoffs. With a strong midfield and a clinical attack, Florida High is set to be one of the area's most competitive teams in the postseason.
4. St. John Paul II (8-4)
Previous Ranking: Unranked
The Panthers enter the power rankings for the first time to end the season and are one of the favorites to lift a district championship in 2A. Led by freshman Jordyn Wysocki, who has a team-high 16 goals, JPII is looking to make some noise in the playoffs.
Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Which area soccer, basketball programs land in the Big Bend power rankings
