Dillard, St. Andrew’s lead in latest statewide poll

Dillard sits atop the Class 7A rankings, and St. Andrew’s leads the way in 5A in the latest FABCSource Hoops boys basketball poll, released Tuesday.

Dillard is coming off a 57-50 overtime win over Oldsmar Christian in the MLK Basketball Classic on Saturday. After another overtime victory over Atlanta’s Pace Academy on New Year’s Eve, the Panthers have also beaten Blanche Ely and Nova this month. They have just one loss this season to in-state competition, falling on a 3-pointer in the final seconds to Class 2A No. 1 Miami Christian.

St. Andrew’s suffered its first loss Monday to the same Miami Christian team after starting 18-0. The Scots had impressive December victories over Orlando Edgewater and Carver from Montgomery, Ala., in the Kreul Classic, as well as a 25-point win over New York’s Loyola on New Year’s Eve.

Broward County and Palm Beach County schools make up more than half of the Class 5A top 10. Following St. Andrew’s, Calvary Christian comes in at No. 2, University School is fifth, Oxbridge sixth, Cardinal Newman seventh and Cardinal Gibbons 10th.

Dillard’s district foe Northeast comes in at No. 10 in 7A. The Panthers won the teams’ first meeting 76-67 this season. They meet again Thursday.

Wellington comes in at No. 5 in Class 9A. Three area schools — Blanche Ely (3), Palm Beach Lakes (5) and Dwyer (7) — were ranked in 8A.

Suncoast is seventh in 6A. Westminster Academy (2) and Sagemont (5) are ranked in 4A. Somerset Prep came in at No. 7 in 3A, and Grandview Prep is second in 2A. CLASS 9A