OCP holding on to top spot
But COVID-19 concerns persist as season winds down
Only two weeks remain in the boys basketball regular season, which means coaches are studying their placements in the Florida High School Athletic Association classification rankings.
Those power ratings will determine district tournament seeding and brackets. But this time, COVID-19 concerns make the countdown to state playoff games even more nerve-wracking than usual for top contenders.
Oak Ridge coach Steve Reece had room to add more regular-season dates within the 25-game limit but said this week he was leaning more toward subtracting games rather than adding in hopes he can reduce the threat of a coronavirus case ruining his team’s state championship hopes.
Coaches across Central Florida have shared those worries. One positive COVID-19 test, or even a contact-tracing issue involving an opponent, could knock a team out of contention.
Oak Ridge has three scheduled games remaining against unranked teams Freedom, Orlando University and Winter Park.
The Pioneers will play the rest of the way without stellar senior guard Jalen Smith, who suffered injuries to both wrists when he fell backward during a two-point win against Dr. Phillips last week.
But Reece said forward Roddrick Henry could soon be cleared to play by doctors.
Henry, a 6-foot-6 senior, has been out since the December holiday break due to cardiac health concerns.
Fourth-ranked Windermere was shut down by coronavirus issues last week.
No. 10 Lake Highland Prep detected a COVID case within its program Jan. 11 and will have gone 17 days without a game when it plays at The First Academy on Tuesday night. The Highlanders had to bow out of this weekend’s Wally Keller Classic in Punta Gorda.
Here are the rankings (*denotes teams that played Thursday night games):
1. Orlando Christian Prep (17-0): Facing host Punta Gorda Charlotte (13-4) and Jacksonville Jackson (10-3) in Wally Keller Classic weekend.
2. Oak Ridge (15-2): Beating DP 49-47 and then losing 59-56 to OCP tells how thin the margin can be among top teams.
3. Dr. Phillips (12-3*): Nine-game win streak ended with tight losses to Oak Ridge (49-47) and West Orange (48-47).
4. Windermere (11-4): Played eight state top-10 teams with three to go in Apopka (home, Tuesday), East Lake (Jan. 30 at OCP) and DP (home, Feb. 2).
5. Olympia (13-4): Titans play at surging Seminole Friday, then look to avenge OT loss versus Evans at home Monday.
6. (10) West Orange (11-4): Warriors had won 10 in a row before losing 57-42 at Olympia on Wednesday.
7. (8) Windermere Prep (11-5): Lakers are 2-0 since returning from COVID-19 quarantine. Road game at Seffner Christian on Saturday.
8. (7) Edgewater (11-5): Eagles lost two of past three to Bartow and Evans. Up next is Friday home game against Apopka.
9. (6) Apopka (10-5): Blue Darters ended a 0-5 skid with back-to-back triumphs versus ranked CFCA and Lake Brantley (9-6).
10. (12) Lake Highland Prep (7-5): COVID complications have made for a rollercoaster ride for Highlanders.
11. (14) Kissimmee Osceola (11-5*): Won five of past six, including Vero Beach, which was 14-1, and Tampa Catholic, which was 10-2.
12. (9) Central Florida Christian Academy (10-6*): Up and down Eagles were 5-5 in past 10 games before Thursday.
13. (NR) The Master’s Academy (11-4*): Eagles won five straight entering Thursday game; home versus The First Academy (7-5) on Friday.
14. (13) The First Academy (7-5*): Royals host Lake Highland Prep on Tuesday night in rematch of early-season loss.
15. Mount Dora Christian (13-4*): A 63-62 home loss to Master’s snapped seven-game Bulldogs win streak.
16. Gateway (6-1): Sidelined three times by COVID-19, Panthers play first game since Jan. 7, home versus Lake Nona, on Friday.
Watch list: Boone (10-8), City of Life Christian (18-1), Evans (10-8*), Lake Brantley (9-6), Lake Nona (7-3*), Leesburg (8-3), Seminole (8-4), Orlando University (9-4*).