Three weeks of tournament play created a significant shakeup in the Sentinel Super 16 boys basketball rankings for Orlando-area schools.
Oak Ridge went 3-4 in national tournaments in Las Vegas and New Orleans and slipped out of the top spot. Let the debate heat up on whether the Pioneers should have fallen and who ought to be at the top.
We’re going with Orlando Christian Prep as the new No. 1. The Warriors are on a roll with 6-foot-7 sophomore forward Ven-Allen Lubin back from injury. OCP’s only loss in its past eight games was a 44-42 decision against nationally ranked St. Benedict’s Prep of New Jersey in the Hoodies House Hoops Classic in Charlotte, N.C., last week.
The Warriors will have their hands full in protecting their status as the area front-runner when they face streaking Kissimmee Osceola on Saturday at home. That will be one of four games showcasing state-ranked teams in the Showdown in O-Town at OCP. Osceola has won eight straight and jumped from No. 13 to No. 4 in this week’s rankings.
You could make a case for Seminole being No. 1, but its first loss of the season was by a 25-point margin against Jacksonville Paxon last Friday in Clearwater.
No. 9 Windermere has moved up despite missing two starters and the Wolverines hope to have both Kanye Jones (6-3, Jr.) and Eric Canavan (6-6, Sr.) back for Wednesday’s district game at Celebration.
West Orange, Evans and Lake Nona join the rankings just in time for big tests on Tuesday. The No. 11 Warriors play No. 13 Dr. Phillips. No. 16 Lake Nona plays at No. 12 Ocoee. No. 15 Evans plays at No. 6 Apopka
The Super 16 includes only teams eligible for FHSAA state series play.
Records and rankings are based on games played through Saturday, Jan. 4. Teams are listed with their previous ranking in parentheses if changed:
1. (5) Orlando Christian Prep (9-2): Ven-Allen Lubin returned from injury and Warriors had strong showing in North Carolina holiday tournament.
2. (1) Oak Ridge (8-4): Pioneers are 4-0 against area teams and get back to familiar foes with home game vs. Evans Thursday, at Jones Friday.
3. (2) Seminole (13-1): Seminoles’ 12-0 streak was snapped in big way with 83-58 loss to Jacksonville Paxon (12-3) at Prep Hoops Sun Bash.
4. (13) Kissimmee Osceola (10-2): Hot streak, including 67-64 win vs. Ocoee in The City Beautiful Invitational final, earned state ranking notice.
5. (6) Central Florida Christian Academy (10-2): Only loss in strong holiday showing was to unbeaten Dr. Krop 69-67 in Miami tournament.
6. (3) Apopka (9-4): Big week for Blue Darters with game at Evans on Tuesday, Edgewater at home Wednesday and DP at home Friday.
7. Windermere Prep (11-2): Lakers play neighboring Windermere High on Saturday night in Showdown in O-Town at OCP.
8. (4) Lake Highland Prep (10-3): Highlanders hit 11 3-point shots but lost 86-80 to University School of Fort Lauderdale on Saturday.
9. (14) Windermere High (8-4): Wolverines have won five straight, four on road, since 2-point loss at Ocoee.
10. (8) The Master’s Academy (9-2): Eagles are playing games in Charleston, S.C., on Wednesday and Thursday.
11. (NR) West Orange (7-5): Warriors won Vero Beach Holiday Hoopla tournament and then topped Ocoee 45-43 on Saturday.
12. (9) Ocoee (8-6): Knights beat Boyd Anderson 45-43 last week in Gainesville but then lost 45-43 against West Orange at Amway Arena.
13. (11) Dr. Phillips (10-4): Panthers come off their holiday break to host hot district rival West Orange on Tuesday.
14. (16) Mount Dora Christian (12-0): Bulldogs made statement with 95-66 rout of previously unbeaten Starke Bradford in MDC tourney.
15. (NR) Evans (8-4): Winners of the Hitchock’s Challenge have big week with Apopka on Tuesday, then at Oak Ridge and at Wekiva.
16. (NR) Lake Nona (8-2): Lions’ eight-game win streak ended with 50-47 loss to Jacksonville Bishop Kenny on Saturday.
Watch list: Boone (8-3), Edgewater (5-7), Eustis (6-3), Leesburg (8-4).
bcollings@orlandosentinel.com
![Through two games against the Magic, the Cavs average the most first-quarter points (31.5) among all playoff teams. "For us, we've just got to get off to a better start [and] not let them get off to this hot start," Orlando guard Cole Anthony said.](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Magic-Cavaliers-Basketball-14.jpg?w=525 "Through two games against the Magic, the Cavs average the most first-quarter points (31.5) among all playoff teams. \"For us, we've just got to get off to a better start [and] not let them get off to this hot start,\" Orlando guard Cole Anthony said.")
