OCP, Seminole lead wild ride at the top
The 2019-20 boys basketball regular season saw a series of surprises that shook up the Sentinel Super 16 Orlando-area rankings almost every week. That’s everywhere except the top spots, which were owned by Class 2A Orlando Christian Prep and 7A Seminole since Jan. 13.
The parity gives promise for an eventful postseason, which begins Monday with district tournaments that run through finals on Friday night.
OCP is the only area team that is ranked No. 1 in its class. But Ocoee is No. 2 in 7A and Seminole should be rated at the top of the large class. The ‘Noles slipped due to a technicality that charged its varsity squad for three losses in games they didn’t play.
Other area teams that are rated among the best in their classification are Apopka, Oak Ridge and Dr. Phillips in 7A; Jones in 5A; Lake Highland Prep in 4A; Windermere Prep and The Master’s Academy in 3A; and Central Florida Christian Academy and Mount Dora Christian in 2A.
The Super 16 is composed of Orlando area teams that participate in the FHSAA playoffs. That does not include area independent powers Montverde Academy, West Oaks Academy and Central Pointe Christian Academy.
Here are the rankings with placement and records based on games through Saturday, Feb. 8.
Teams are listed with previous ranking in parentheses, if different, and with their opening game in postseason play as “Next:”
1. Orlando Christian Prep (22-2): 13-game win streak includes average margin of 26 points. Win list includes Ocoee 73-61. Next: Tuesday semifinal, home, vs. City of Life or All Saints, 5:30 p.m. 2. Seminole (21-1): Seminoles recorded their fifth consecutive 20-win season despite having final three regular-season games shaved off schedule. Next: Wednesday semifinal, at Spruce Creek, vs. DeLand or Seminole, 7:30 p.m.
3. Ocoee (19-6): Metro West champs with 11 seniors have won 11 straight while holding 10 of past 13 opponents to 46 points or less. Next: Wednesday semifinal, at Apopka, vs. West Orange or Evans, 5:30 p.m.
4. Windermere Prep (22-3): Lakers, winners of nine straight, are No. 2 in Class 3A Region 1 ratings behind Jacksonville Jackson. Next: Tuesday vs. Crooms, home, 7 p.m. 5. Apopka (17-8): John Latimer III and Zach Anderson combined for 51 points in Friday’s 83-78 overtime win vs. Windermere High. Next: Monday vs. Lake Brantley, home, 7:30 p.m.
6. (8) Jones (13-10): Tigers, top seed in 5A region, saw nine-game win streak end with lopsided loss to Lakeland on Friday. Next: Wednesday semifinal, at Belleview, vs Ocala Vanguard or Lecanto.
7. (9) Oak Ridge (17-7): Pioneers won final six regular-season games after loss to Windermere High. Next: Wednesday semifinal, at Lake Nona, vs. Freedom or Cypress Creek, 6 p.m. 8. (10) Dr. Phillips (16-7): Panthers are rated No. 10 in 7A by MaxPreps but are third seed in district behind Ocoee, Apopka. Next: Monday vs. Olympia, at Apopka, 6 p.m.
9. (6) Kissimmee Osceola (18-6): 18-1 playoff record over past three seasons, but got beat by Boone and thumped by Bartow down stretch. Next: Wednesday semifinal, at Celebration, vs. Haines City or Celebration, 7 p.m.
10. (7) Windermere High (17-8): Wolverines can be scary good when shots are falling. Hit 19 threes in 100-66 win vs. Hagerty. Next: Wednesday semifinal, at Celebration, vs Ridge
Community or East Ridge, 5:30 p.m.
11. (12) Mount Dora Christian (25-0): Only statechampionship contender in any class that is unbeaten entering playoffs. Next: Tuesday semifinal, at Foundation Academy, vs. First Academy-Leesburg or Real Life Christian, 7 p.m.
12. (13) The Master’s Academy (19-6): Eagles, riding seven-game winning streak, have climbed to No. 3 rating in 3A region. Next: Tuesday vs. Circle Christian, home, 7 p.m.
13. (14) Lake Highland Prep (19-6): 4A Highlanders lost regular-season finale to 3A No. 1 Lakeland Santa Fe Catholic 60-56. Next: Tuesday semifinal, home, vs. Mount Dora or Umatilla, 7 p.m.
14. (11) CFCA (18-7): Senior Nick Silva scored 35 points in win vs. Seffner Christian to close regular season. Next: Tuesday semifinal, at Foundation Academy, vs. Foundation or Legacy Charter, 5:30 p.m.
15. (NR) Lake Nona (19-5): By far the best regular season in program history. Can Lions carry that over for more postseason success? Next: Wednesday semifinal, home, vs. Boone or Tohopekaliga, 7:30 p.m.
16. (15) Evans (14-11): Trojans are dangerous darkhorse, having won on road against Lake City Columbia (23-2) and at Apopka. Next: Monday vs. West Orange, at Apopka, 4:30 p.m.
Watch list: Boone (16-9), Leesburg (14-8), Oviedo (16-9), The First Academy (14-10), Timber Creek (16-9), West Orange (15-10).