Who’s No. 1, DP or Lake Highland?
Highlanders at the top of the Orlando Sentinel rankings
Who’s No. 1 in Orlando area boys basketball?
That debate might rage all the way through the Florida High School Athletic Association state playoffs, which tip off in three weeks with district tournaments.
Class 7A Dr. Phillips (16-3) is ranked ahead of 4A Lake Highland (14-1) in the Fab 50 and MaxPreps Top 25 national rankings. The Panthers’ strength of schedule, which is tops in Florida according to the FHSAA, certainly plays into that.
But for now, we’re sticking with Lake Highland at the top of the Orlando Sentinel Super 16. Simply put, we haven’t seen anything happen yet that warrants a drop for the Highlanders.
Lake Highland assumed the No. 1 ranking in our first Orlando area poll when it beat DP 61-60 on a dramatic 3-point shot by Ohio State signee Brice Sensabaugh with time running out in the Nov. 24 season opener for both teams. Sensabaugh scored 39 points in that thriller.
That was a long time ago, we know. And it stands as DP’s only loss to an in-state opponent. But Lake Highland’s lone loss was against Kentucky’s No. 1 ranked team, George Rogers Clark (15-1), in a December trip to the King of the Bluegrass tournament in Louisville.
The Highlanders’ schedule is no joke. They will be tested twice by stateranked teams at this weekend’s Wally Keller Classic in Punta Gorda Charlotte. Lake Highland also plays two of the state’s top 3A teams, Jacksonville Providence and Windermere Prep, next week.
In its quest for a 4A state championship, Lake Highland likely will have to go through a reigning state champ Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian team that is ranked higher than the Highlanders and DP in current national polls.
So a lot can still happen. Olympia was the third team in this conversation when we rolled out Orlando area rankings in December. But the Titans (12-5) have fallen on hard times after a 10-0 start. That illustrates how quickly tables can turn in high school play.
Wekiva (9-8) was an afterthought until it stunned two ranked teams, Olympia and Apopka, in the Metro Conference West Division tournament.
This week’s schedule includes Saturday’s Kaylin High Master’s Classic. Super 16 teams in that showcase include Central Florida Christian Academy, Kissimmee Osceola and Oviedo (pairings listed below).
The Super 16 includes only Orlando area teams that participate in the FHSAA playoff system. Previous rankings, if different, are in parenthesis. Win-loss records are through Wednesday games (*played Thursday):
1. Lake Highland Prep (14-1)
Buzz: No. 1 4A Highlanders play No. 3 Jacksonville Jackson (16-2) Friday and No. 3 6A Pembroke Pines Charter (14-2) Saturday at Wally Keller Classic.
2. (3) Dr. Phillips (16-3) Buzz: Panthers’ 8-game win streak includes decisive 48-37 victory at Orlando Christian Prep and tight wins over Olympia (68-67) and Windermere (38-37).
3. (4) Orlando Christian Prep (12-4)
Buzz: Warriors, No. 1 in Class 2A, play Miami Norland (9-7) and FSU High School (11-6) in Wally Keller
Classic games Gorda Charlotte.
4. (6) Central Florida Christian Academy (13-3*)
Buzz: Eagles, No. 3 in Class 2A, scored triple-OT win vs. Villages Charter on Tuesday. Only local loss was to Olympia in December’s Rotary Tip-Off Classic.
5. Oak Ridge (14-5*) Buzz: High-scoring Pioneers take a shot at Olympia on Monday night. Only local loss to date was 54-51 setback against Lake Highland Prep.
6. (2) Olympia (12-5) Buzz: Titans started 10-0 but hit a wall in tough Metro Conference West Division tournament with losses to Wekiva, Evans and West Orange.
7. (7) Windermere (15-4) Buzz: Wolverines followed Monday’s 38-37 defeat vs. Dr. Phillips in Metro West final with 66-57 homecourt loss to Kissimmee Osceola on Wednesday.
8. Windermere Prep (12-6)
Buzz: Lakers lost 64-62 to Lake Highland in a backand-forth game on Wednesday. They’ll host rematch in Jan. 28 Citrus League championship game. at
Punta
9. (10). Kissimmee Osceola (13-4)
Buzz: Kowboys are 5-1 in New Year and 66-57 win at Windermere on Wednesday marked a high point for the season.
10. (9) Apopka (15-5) Buzz: Blue Darters have hit 0-3 skid that included two losses to Dr. Phillips and 51-48 defeat against Wekiva. Windermere, Wekiva games coming up.
11. (13) Evans (13-7) Buzz: Battle-tested Trojans have won three in a row and five of their past six going into Friday home game vs. Apopka.
12. (NR) Lake Brantley (14-3)
Buzz: Patriots have won 12 of their past 13 games. Losses were to Evans in OT, Hagerty by 4, and Apopka by 6.
13. (15) Jones (12-5) Buzz: Tigers are on a 7-1 streak going into Monday’s home game vs. Windermere Prep. Up to No. 6 in 5A state rankings.
14. (NR) Mount Dora Christian (17-1)
Buzz: Bulldogs’ lone loss was 63-61 to Lake Brantley in Jan. 4 tournament game at home. At South Lake (10-4) on Friday night.
15. (14) DeLand (12-6) Buzz: Bulldogs’ six defeats are against teams with a combined 84-20 record, including Orlando Christian Prep and Rockledge (12-1*). 16. Oviedo (15-3) Buzz: Lions’ losses are close games against DeLand, Hagerty and Lake Brantley. Rematch with rival Hagerty (10-6) is Friday night at home.
Kaylin High Master’s Classic
At The Master’s Academy Saturday, Jan. 22
JV: Hagerty vs. Master’s, 11:30
G: Winter Park vs. Master’s, 1
Trinity Prep vs. Holy Trinity, 2:30
Oviedo vs. Kissimmee Osceola, 4
Edgewater vs. Master’s, 5:30
Hagerty vs. Central Florida Christian Academy, 7
(JV: junior varsity; G: girls game)
Admission: $10.