Boca Raton tops Palm Beach power rankings

With just two weeks left before the start of the girls high school basketball postseason and district tournaments set to begin the week of Jan. 30, here’s a look at the top five teams in Palm Beach County heading down the stretch:

1. Boca Raton (16-5):

Ranked No. 18 in the state (all classifications) by MaxPreps,the Bobcats started 13-1 and have posted impressive victories over Fort Lauderdale, Long Island (N.Y.) Lutheran, Oxbridge Academy and West Boca. They hit a bit of a rough patch against a rugged schedule, going 5-4 since Dec. 29. But the losses have been to top-ranked Miami Country Day, Winter Haven, Ocala West Port and Northeast. They’re led by Rachel Levy (a Harvard commit) and Grace Marko (Boston College).

2. Oxbridge (15-5): The ThunderWolves are ranked 10th in the state by MaxPreps. Oxbridge won its first 12 games before falling to West Port on Dec. 29. Oxbridge, too, has struggled of late, going 1-4 since New Year’s Day. But the losses have been to Boca on a neutral court, Fort Myers, Vero Beach and Miami Country Day. Led by sophomores Aaliyah Stanley (15.2 ppg) and Alexa Zaph (15.2), theirtop four players consist of three sophomores and a freshman.

3. Palm Beach Lakes (13-5):

Excellent guard play has carried the Rams, who are 5-0 in district play. Lakes has posted impressive victories over Wellington, Cardinal Newman and Suncoast. It started the year 9-0 before falling to Miami Norland. Two other losses are to Nova and Cardinal Gibbons. Rashara Simmons leads offensively, averaging 16 points, eight rebounds and six steals.

4. Wellington (13-3):

The Wolverines routed Seminole Ridge 44-7 their last time out. They posted victories over Cardinal Newman, West Boca, Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter en route to a 12-1 start, and their only losses are to Palm Beach Lakes, Nova and Pembroke Pines Flanagan. Sidney Jones, who has an FIU offer and heavy interest from Wake Forest, leads Wellington in scoring at 19 ppg.

5. Cardinal Newman (17-4):

The Crusaders have gone 11-1 since early December, with the only loss a 2-point defeat at Lincoln Par. They have wins over Suncoast, Jupiter, Archbishop McCarthy, Palm Beach Gardens and West Boca. Milan Morris, a Boston College commit, leads the squad, averaging 22.8 points, 12.6 rebounds and four steals.

Next in line: Palm Beach Gardens, Suncoast, Benjamin, West Boca.