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The Prep Zone Power Poll powered by Anytime Fitness of Gainesville – 2024-25 Girls Basketball Poll #6 (FINAL)

Mike Ridaught
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The Prep Zone Power Poll powered by Anytime Fitness of Gainesville – 2024-25 Girls Basketball Poll #6 (FINAL)
Click on the logo for your free 7-day pass

Rural champion Wildwood near unanimous No. 1

GAINESVILLE – The Wildwood girls basketball team ran the table in 2024-25.

The Lady Wildcats (25-0) went undefeated from start to finish against a difficult schedule that included two games against Class 5A state runner-up Gainesville, 5A regional finalist Leesburg, and 3A regional semifinalist The Villages.

They defeated previous No. 6 Williston in the FHSAA Rural-District 7 championship game, 68-40, and again in the Rural-Region 4 Final, 60-45, to advance to the final four at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland where they won their first state title since 2018.

Wildwood received nine of the 10 first-place votes to finish No. 1 in The Prep Zone Power Poll, which ranks the top 20 basketball teams across 26 counties in Florida.

The Wildcats, who finished sixth overall in Florida in the final MaxPreps rankings, defeated Blountstown, 67-32, in the Rural state semifinals followed by a 65-43 victory against Holmes County (Bonifay) in the state championship game.

Class 5A state champion New Smyrna Beach is ranked second.

The Barracudas (27-5), who received all 10 2nd-place votes, defeated previous No. 13 Gainesville, 56-49, in the state championship game.

They knocked off Clearwater, 56-47, in the state semifinals and also defeated previous No. 16 Leesburg, 69-56, in the Class 5A-Region 2 Final.

Bolles (Jacksonville) is ranked No. 3.

The Bulldogs (25-6) advanced to the Class 3A state championship game before falling to No. 4 overall in Florida, Cardinal Mooney (Sarasota), 64-54, which snapped their 15-game winning streak.

They had wins this season against 5A state runner-up GHS, 4A regional finalist Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville), 4A regional semifinalist Jacksonville Ribault (twice), 7A regional semifinalist Spruce Creek (Port Orange), 5A regional semifinalist Beachside (St. Johns), 3A regional quarterfinalist Episcopal (Jacksonville), and 2A regional finalist San Jose Prep (Jacksonville).

Providence (Jacksonville) is ranked fourth.

The Stallions (24-7), who defeated No. 3 Bolles at home, 56-43, in November, were Class 2A state runners-up. They received the other first-place vote.

Their resume included wins against playoff teams Bolles, 3A state semifinalist Somerset Academy – Canyons (Boynton Beach), 7A regional semifinalist West Port (Ocala), 5A regional quarterfinalist Ponte Vedra, 5A regional semifinalist Beachside (St. Johns), 3A state semifinalist SLAM (Miami), 2A regional semifinalist Ocala Trinity Catholic (twice), and 2-time defending state champion Hawthorne, among others.

They lost to Miami Country Day, 47-37, in the state title game.

Rounding out the top five is Gainesville High.

The Purple Hurricanes (17-9) advanced to their first state semifinal since 1987 with a 64-57 win at Booker T. Washington (Pensacola) in the 5A-Region 1 Final.

They defeated Northeast (St. Pete), 54-52, in the state semifinals before falling to No. 2 New Smyrna Beach, 56-49, in state championship game, which snapped an 8-game winning streak.

GHS also defeated Lincoln (Tallahassee), 66-28, in the regional quarterfinals, followed by a 61-38 win against RV Beachside (St. Johns) in the regional semifinals to advance to the Elite Eight.

Bishop Kenny (25-5), 6A state semifinalist Tocoi Creek (St. Augustine) (20-8), Williston (19-4), The Villages (23-6), and Ribault (19-9) round out the top 10.

Hawthorne, Bishop Snyder (Jacksonville) (19-9), which lost to No. 13 Trinity Catholic (Ocala), 55-38, in the 2A regional quarterfinals, and 3A regional quarterfinalist Andrew Jackson (Jacksonville) (16-11) all dropped out of the rankings.

Class 1A state runner-up North Florida Educational Institute (Jacksonville) (20-13), Rural state semifinalist Hilliard (18-9), and 7A regional semifinalist West Port (Ocala) (17-9) all moved into the rankings at Nos. 11, 18, and 19, respectively.

The Prep Zone Power Poll ranks the top 20 high school football, girls basketball, boys basketball, softball & baseball teams (regardless of FHSAA classification) across 26 counties in North Florida (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Madison, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, Sumter, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, Union & Volusia counties). It is voted on by sportswriters and sportscasters and it is powered by Anytime Fitness of Gainesville.

THE PREP ZONE POWER POLL – 2024-25 GIRLS BASKETBALL POLL #6 (FINAL)
(School, followed by classification, first-place votes, final record, and total voting points)
1. Wildwood (Rural) (9) (25-0) – 197
2. New Smyrna Beach (5A) (27-5) – 190
3. Bolles (Jacksonville) (3A) (25-6) – 177
4. Providence (Jacksonville) (2A) (1) (24-7) – 172
5. Gainesville (5A) (17-9) – 149
6. Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) (4A) (25-5) – 144
7. Tocoi Creek (St. Augustine) (6A) (20-8) – 143
8. Williston (Rural) (19-4) – 119
9. The Villages (3A) (23-6) – 101
10. Ribault (Jacksonville) (4A) (19-9) – 95
11. North Florida Educational Institute (Jacksonville) (1A) (20-13) – 89
12. Newberry (3A) (17-7) – 70
13. Trinity Catholic (Ocala) (2A) (18-10) – 64
14. San Jose Prep (Jacksonville) (2A) (15-10) – 62
15. Creekside (St. Johns) (7A) (16-8) – 55
T16. Spruce Creek (Port Orange) (7A) (15-14) – 47
T16. Leesburg (5A) (14-10) – 47
18. Hilliard (Rural) (18-9) – 33
19. West Port (Ocala) (7A) (17-9) – 30
20. Ridgeview (Orange Park) (5A) (20-6) – 28
Also receiving votes: Hawthorne (Rural) (12-5) – 21; Mount Dora Christian (1A) (18-10) – 21; Bishop Snyder (Jacksonville) (2A) (19-9) – 13; Fort White (Rural) (16-8) – 11; Andrew Jackson (Jacksonville) (3A) (16-11) – 8; Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (6A) (17-9) – 7; Beachside (St. Johns) (5A) (14-10) – 5; Eustis (4A) (18-5) – 2.

The Prep Zone Power Poll powered by Anytime Fitness of Gainesville – 2025 Baseball Poll #1

Mike Ridaught
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The Prep Zone Power Poll powered by Anytime Fitness of Gainesville – 2025 Baseball Poll #1
Click on the logo for your free 7-day pass

State runner-up Buchholz (Gainesville) starts season on top of regional rankings

GAINESVILLE — Already a month into the 2025 high school baseball season, and there have already been some interesting results in The Prep Zone coverage area.

But the Buchholz (Gainesville) Bobcats, who just missed out on a state title last spring, are off to a red-hot start and are on top of the first regional baseball all-classification rankings for 2025.

Buchholz (8-0) went to Jacksonville last week and knocked off Trinity Christian, 5-3. The Conquerors had previously been ranked No. 2 in all of Florida by MaxPreps.

This week, the Bobcats have moved up to 2nd statewide according to the FHSAA and 3rd according to MaxPreps. They also received five of the eight first place votes in The Prep Zone Power Poll.

Trinity Christian is ranked second.

The Conquerors, who made the 3A state semifinals in 2024, are now in 2A and have started the season 6-1 with the only loss to Buchholz. They received one first-place vote.

Bolles (Jacksonville) is No. 3.

The Bulldogs (8-2) already own wins over defending state champion No. 4 St. John’s Country Day (Orange Park) as well as RV University Christian (Jacksonville), Oakleaf (Orange Park), and Baldwin. Their two losses are to Fletcher (Neptune Beach) and 8th-ranked Providence (Jacksonville).

St. Johns Country Day is No. 4.

The Spartans (9-2) captured their first baseball state title in 2A last spring, and are now in 1A for 2025. SJCD, which received the final first-place vote, has won eight in a row after a 1-2 start, with the only losses to Bolles and Lincoln (Tallahassee).

Rounding out the top five is Spruce Creek (Port Orange).

The Hawks, who lost in the 7A region semifinals a year ago, are off to an 8-1 start with wins over New Smyrna Beach, Winter Springs, and Lake Brantley (Altamonte Springs). Their only loss came to No. 15 Creekside (St. Johns).

Bishop Snyder (Jacksonville) starts off the second five.

The Cardinals (8-1), who were eliminated in a 3A region final by Trinity Christian in 2024, have beaten No. 9 Tocoi Creek (St. Augustine), No. 16T Columbia (Lake City), Trinity Catholic (Ocala), and St. Augustine. Bishop Snyder’s only loss came to Providence.

Clay (Green Cove Springs) is 7th.

The Blue Devils (9-2) lost in a region final at Lincoln last May, but already have beaten Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville), No. 11 Episcopal (Jacksonville), and Oakleaf. They also have lost to Providence and Lincoln.

Providence is No. 8.

The Stallions (8-2) already own three wins this season over top ten teams Clay, Bolles, and Bishop Snyder and also have a win against University Christian.

Tocoi Creek and 2024 1A state semifinalist Trenton round out the top 10.

The Prep Zone Power Poll ranks the top 20 high school football, girls volleyball, girls basketball, boys basketball, softball & baseball teams (regardless of FHSAA classification) across 26 counties in North Florida (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Madison, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, Sumter, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, Union & Volusia counties). It is voted on by sportswriters and sportscasters and it is powered by Anytime Fitness of Gainesville.

THE PREP ZONE POWER POLL– 2025 BASEBALL POLL #1 
(School, followed by classification, first place votes, final 2024 record, current 2025 record through 3/6 and total voting points)
1. Buchholz (Gainesville) (6A) (5) (24-9) (8-0) – 155
2. Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (2A) (1) (24-7) (6-1) – 152
3. Bolles (Jacksonville) (2A) (21-8) (8-2) – 128
4. St. Johns Country Day (Orange Park) (1A) (2) (25-6) (9-2) – 125
5. Spruce Creek (Port Orange) (7A) (19-10) (8-1) – 124
6. Bishop Snyder (Jacksonville) (2A) (20-9) (8-1) – 114
7. Clay (Green Cove Springs) (4A) (18-10) (9-2) – 101
8. Providence (Jacksonville) (2A) (13-12) (8-2) – 88
9. Tocoi Creek (St. Augustine) (6A) (18-8) (9-1) – 80
10. Trenton (Rural) (13-12) (8-1) – 77
11. Episcopal (Jacksonville) (2A) (19-9) (9-2) – 71
12T. Lafayette (Mayo) (Rural) (23-3) (6-2) – 69
12T. The Villages (3A) (17-12) (8-0) – 69
14. St. Joseph’s Academy (St. Augustine) (1A) (20-9) (7-1-1) – 58
15. Creekside (St. Johns) (7A) (19-11) (4-5) – 34
16T. Columbia (Lake City) (5A) (15-13) (6-4) – 31
16T. Hernando (Brooksville) (4A) (19-10) (7-2) – 31
18. Nature Coast Tech (Brooksville) (4A) (19-7) (7-3) – 23
19. Newberry (2A) (22-6) (4-3) – 21
20. Vanguard (Ocala) (4A) (18-10) (7-2) – 19
Also receiving votes: Keystone Heights (3A) (20-9) (8-3) – 18; University Christian (Jacksonville) (1A) (18-10) (6-4) – 17; Union County (Lake Butler) (Rural) (15-14) (7-2) – 15; Lake Minneola (Minneola) (6A) (21-6) (5-3) – 14; Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) (4A) (20-9) (1-8) – 8; North Marion (Citra) (3A) (15-13) (5-6) – 6; Fernandina Beach (3A) (11-12-1) (8-0) – 5; Santa Fe (Alachua) (3A) (14-13) (4-6) – 5; Eustis (4A) (15-12) (8-2) – 4.

Santa Fe girls lacrosse – 2025

Mike Ridaught
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Santa Fe girls lacrosse – 2025

Wednesday, 7-8 p.m. – “The Prep Zone” Sports Show
‘Live’ audio: https://www.mainstreetdailynews.com/sports/live-stream/ 
Join Mainstreet Daily News Sports Director Mike Ridaught as he talks high school sports from your locally owned Sonic Drive-In of Gainesville (39th Avenue). His guests for this episode include Santa Fe girls lacrosse coach Austin Bedard and members of the Lady Raiders lacrosse team.

Hawthorne vs. Crossroad Academy – Boys Basketball 2025 (Radio)

Mike Ridaught
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Hawthorne vs. Crossroad Academy – Boys Basketball 2025 (Radio)

Friday, 6:45 p.m. (PREGAME) – Boys High School Basketball, 7 p.m. (TIP)
Hawthorne vs. Crossroad Academy (Quincy)
Radio: “I am Country” 106.9 FM Gainesville
‘Live’ audio: https://streamdb6web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/WPLL
Join Marty Pallman (Play-by-play) and Mainstreet Daily News Sports Director Mike Ridaught (Color) for this FHSAA Class Rural State championship game from the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. The Hornets, who advanced to their eighth final four under head coach Greg Bowie, are seeking their third state title in program history and their first since 2020.

The Prep Zone Power Poll powered by Anytime Fitness of Gainesville – 2025 Softball Poll #1

Mike Ridaught
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The Prep Zone Power Poll powered by Anytime Fitness of Gainesville – 2025 Softball Poll #1
Click on the logo for your free 7-day pass

Defending champion Eustis near unanimous No. 1

GAINESVILLE — Following its second state title in four years, the Eustis softball team begins the 2025 season at the top of The Prep Zone Power Poll.

Eustis, which won the FHSAA Class 4A state title last year but dropped down to 3A this year, was one of three state champions in North Central Florida, along with two state runners-up, & two other state semifinalists.

The Panthers, who were 26-2 last season, received seven of the eight first-place votes in the all-classification regional poll, which ranks the top 20 teams across 26 counties in Florida.

They opened the season with a 15-0 win at Taylor (Pierson), 15-0, and a 15-3 win at Master’s Academy (Oviedo) to start the year at 2-0.

The win at Taylor marked the first career victory for new head coach Tyra Bowers, who took over the program following the departure of Brittany Beall.

Defending 3A state champion Montverde Academy, which dropped down to 2A, is ranked second. The Eagles, who were 28-4 last year, won at South Lake (Groveland), 21-0.

They received the other first-place vote.

Trenton (23-2), which won the Class 1A state title with a 6-5 win in eight innings against Branford and had a 3-2 walk-off win against Holmes County (Bonifay) in the state semifinals, is ranked third.

It was the third state title since 2019 for the Tigers (23-2), who defeated current No. 7 Middleburg, 5-1, to open the season.

Trenton has a new coach (assistant Kevin Benson), but they return seven starters, including 1A Player of the Year Addison Allaire (13-2, 1.21 ERA, record 251 Ks, .370 average) & Emma Brideson (11-0, 1.69 ERA, .369 average).

Class 4A state runners-up, Baker County (Glen St. Mary), who lost 1-0 to Eustis in last year’s state title game, is ranked fourth.

The Wildcats, who finished 21-6 in 2024, are top contenders in their classification with Rylee Walker (10-1, 1.81 ERA) and Chloe Woods (11-4, 1.20 ERA) back in the circle.

Baker County has wins at No. 14 Columbia (Lake City), 9-7, and at Keystone Heights, 5-4.

Rounding out the top five is Episcopal (Jacksonville).

The Class 2A Eagles (25-4) were 3A regional finalists last year, losing current No. 6 Baldwin, 4-2, in last year’s 3A-Region 1 Final.

They are 2-0 to start the season with wins last week against Bishop Snyder (Jacksonville), 7-5, and at Providence (Jacksonville), 16-12.

Following No. 6 Baldwin in the top 10 are 5A regional semifinalist Middleburg (22-5), University Christian (Jacksonville), Creekside (St. Johns), and 10th-ranked Branford.

Middleburg (2-1) defeated Trinity Catholic (Ocala), 3-1, and No. 6 Baldwin, 10-7, and lost at No. 3 Trenton, 5-1, on Saturday.

The Prep Zone Power Poll ranks the top 20 high school football, basketball, baseball & softball teams (regardless of FHSAA classification) across 26 counties in North Florida (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Madison, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, Sumter, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, Union & Volusia counties). It is voted on by sportswriters and sportscasters and it is powered by Anytime Fitness of Gainesville.

THE PREP ZONE POWER POLL – 2025 SOFTBALL POLL #1
(School, followed by classification, 2024 final record, first-place votes, record through 2/23, & total voting points)
1. Eustis (3A) (26-2) (7) (2-0) – 158
2. Montverde Academy (2A) (28-4) (1) (1-0) – 147
3. Trenton (Rural) (23-2) (1-0) – 143
4. Baker County (Glen St. Mary) (4A) (21-6) (2-0) – 134
5. Episcopal (Jacksonville) (2A) (25-4) (2-0) – 121
6. Baldwin (2A) (29-2) (2-1) – 118
7. Middleburg (5A) (22-5) (2-1) – 104
8. University Christian (Jacksonville) (1A) (19-8) (3-0) – 102
9. Creekside (St. Johns) (7A) (21-6) (2-0) – 85
10. Branford (Rural) (24-7) (2-1) – 75
11. Oakleaf (Orange Park) (6A) (18-9) (2-0) – 73
12. Fort White (Rural) (13-6) (2-1) – 66
13. Santa Fe (Alachua) (3A) (23-5) (2-0) – 65
14. Columbia (Lake City) (4A) (13-12) (2-1) – 56
15. Crystal River (3A) (22-6) (2-0) – 45
16. Spruce Creek (Port Orange) (7A) (20-4) (1-1) – 44
17. Gainesville (5A) (24-5) (0-2) – 35
18. East Ridge (Clermont) (7A) (19-8) (3-0) – 34
19. Williston (Rural) (16-11) (2-1) – 21
20. Matanzas (Palm Coast) (5A) (19-5) (2-0) – 18
Also receiving votes: West Nassau (Callahan) (3A) (17-9) (0-1) – 10; Fleming Island (Orange Park) (5A) (19-8) (2-0) – 10; Deltona (5A) (18-6) (0-0) – 9; Newberry (2A) (17-6) (3-0) – 7.

Oak Hall cheerleading – 2025

Mike Ridaught
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Oak Hall cheerleading – 2025

Wednesday, 5-6 p.m. – “The Prep Zone” Sports Show
ARCHIVE: https://www.mainstreetdailynews.com/prep-zone
Join Mainstreet Daily News Sports Director Mike Ridaught as he talks high school sports from your locally owned Sonic Drive-In of Gainesville (Archer Road). His guests for this episode include Oak Hall School cheerleading coach Kelley Thorp and the FHSAA state champion Eagles cheer team.

The Prep Zone Power Poll powered by Anytime Fitness of Gainesville – 2024-25 Girls Basketball Poll #5

Mike Ridaught
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The Prep Zone Power Poll powered by Anytime Fitness of Gainesville – 2024-25 Girls Basketball Poll #5
Click on the logo for your free 7-day pass

Wildwood dominates district tournament, remains No. 1

GAINESVILLE – The Wildwood girls basketball team remains on top of the all-classification regional rankings heading into the FHSAA state playoffs.

The Wildcats, the No. 1 team in the Rural classification, remained unbeaten following a dominating performance at last week’s District 7 tournament.

Wildwood (21-0) defeated Chiefland, 79-22, in the semifinals and pounded previous No. 2 Williston, 68-40, in the title game.

They received seven of the 10 first-place votes to remain No. 1 in The Prep Zone Power Poll, which ranks the top 20 basketball teams across 26 counties in Florida.

The Wildcats are the No. 1 seed in Rural-Region 4 and will host No. 4 seed Marathon on Thursday night in the regional semifinals.

Bolles (Jacksonville) moved up two spots to No. 2.

The Bulldogs (21-5), who received one first-place vote, won the 3A-District 4 title with a 59-28 win against previous No. 16 Andrew Jackson (Jacksonville) in the championship game. The Lady ‘Dogs, who have won 11 in a row, also defeated Fernandina Beach, 91-32, in the district semifinals.

They are the top seed in 3A-Region 1 and will host No. 8 seed Episcopal (Jacksonville) in the regional quarterfinals.

Bolles is one of three Duval County schools in the top five, along with No. 3 Providence (Jacksonville) and No. 4 Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville).

Providence, which is ranked third, received the other two first-place votes after winning the 2A-District 3 title. They defeated previous No. 10 San Jose Prep (Jacksonville), 60-39, in the district title game for their seventh straight win.

The Stallions (20-6) are the top seed in 2A-Region 1 and will host No. 8 seed Oak Hall (Gainesville) in the regional quarterfinals.

Bishop Kenny (23-4) has also won seven in a row since a 40-36 loss against No. 2 Bolles. The 4A-District 4 Champions defeated Menendez (St. Augustine), 59-17, to win the title.

They are the No. 1 seed in 4A-Region 1 and will host No. 8 seed Paxon (Jacksonville) in the regional quarterfinals.

New Smyrna Beach (22-5) rounds out the top five at No. 5.

The 5A-District 7 champion Barracudas, winners of 10 in a row, are the top seed in 5A-Region 2 and will host No. 8 seed Jones (Orlando) in the regional quarterfinals.

Williston, which is ranked second in the Rural classification, tumbled four spots to No. 6 following the loss at top-ranked Wildwood.

The Red Devils (18-3) defeated previous No. 12 Hawthorne, 57-44, in the district semifinals and they will face the 2-time defending state champion Hornets (12-4) again in Thursday’s regional semifinals.

Rounding out the top 10 are No. 7 The Villages, No. 8 Tocoi Creek (St. Augustine), No. 9 Ribault (Jacksonville), and 10th-ranked Creekside (St. Johns).

Class 5A-District 5 champion Leesburg (12-9) jumped into the rankings at No. 16.

This is the last poll until after the state semifinal and championship games in late February and early March.

The Prep Zone Power Poll ranks the top 20 high school football, girls basketball, boys basketball, softball & baseball teams (regardless of FHSAA classification) across 26 counties in North Florida (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Madison, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, Sumter, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, Union & Volusia counties). It is voted on by sportswriters and sportscasters and it is powered by Anytime Fitness of Gainesville.

THE PREP ZONE POWER POLL – 2024-25 GIRLS BASKETBALL POLL #5
(School, followed by classification, first-place votes, record through 2/8, and total voting points)
1. Wildwood (Rural) (7) (21-0) – 195
2. Bolles (Jacksonville) (4A) (1) (21-5) – 183
3. Providence (Jacksonville) (2A) (2) (20-6) – 180
4. Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) (4A) (23-4) – 166
5. New Smyrna Beach (5A) (22-5) – 165
6. Williston (Rural) (18-3) – 155
7. The Villages (3A) (22-5) – 136
8. Tocoi Creek (St. Augustine) (6A) (17-7) – 126
9. Ribault (Jacksonville) (4A) (18-8) – 119
10. Creekside (St. Johns) (7A) (16-7) – 99
11. Trinity Catholic (Ocala) (2A) (17-9) – 96
12. Newberry (3A) (16-6) – 71
13. Gainesville (5A) (13-8) – 65
14. San Jose Prep (Jacksonville) (2A) (13-9) – 59
15. Spruce Creek (Port Orange) (7A) (14-13) – 48
16. Leesburg (5A) (12-9) – 35
17. Ridgeview (Orange Park) (5A) (19-5) – 34
18. Hawthorne (Rural) (12-4) – 29
19. Bishop Snyder (Jacksonville) (2A) (19-8) – 26
20. Andrew Jackson (Jacksonville) (3A) (16-10) – 22
Also receiving votes: North Florida Educational Institute (Jacksonville) (1A) (16-12) – 20; West Port (Ocala) (7A) (16-8) – 18; Beachside (St. Johns) (5A) (14-9) – 16; Fort White (Rural) (15-7) – 11; Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (6A) (16-8) – 6; Nease (Ponte Vedra) (6A) (13-12) – 5; Orange Park (5A) (16-11) – 5; Bradford (Starke) (3A) (12-4) – 3; Eustis (4A) (18-4) – 3; Eastside (Gainesville) (4A) (12-10) – 2; Hilliard (Rural) (16-8) – 1; Mainland (Daytona Beach) (6A) (12-11) – 1.

P.K. Yonge Girls Soccer – 2025

Mike Ridaught
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P.K. Yonge Girls Soccer – 2025

Wednesday, 7-8 p.m. – “The Prep Zone” Sports Show
‘Live’ audio: https://www.mainstreetdailynews.com/sports/live-stream/
Join Mainstreet Daily News Sports Director Mike Ridaught as he talks high school sports from your locally owned Sonic Drive-In of Gainesville (Archer Road). His guests for this episode include P.K. Yonge girls soccer coach Rebecca Schackow and the Lady Blue Wave soccer team, who recently won their sixth straight district title.

The Prep Zone Power Poll powered by Anytime Fitness of Gainesville – 2024-25 Boys Basketball Poll #4

Mike Ridaught
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The Prep Zone Power Poll powered by Anytime Fitness of Gainesville – 2024-25 Boys Basketball Poll #4
Click on the logo for your free 7-day pass

Andrew Jackson (Jacksonville) remains unanimous No. 1 team as regular season comes to a close

GAINESVILLE — In a high school boys basketball season that has flown by, one team has been atop The Prep Zone Power Poll for the entire season.

And as the regular season wraps up this week and FHSAA district tournaments get going on Monday, Andrew Jackson (Jacksonville) continues to be the unanimous number one team in the all-classification regional rankings.

The Tigers (21-2) have wins over No. 3 Tocoi Creek (St. Augustine), No. 4 Ribault (Jacksonville), No. 6 Impact Christian Academy (Jacksonville), No. 7 Ponte Vedra, No. 9 Fleming Island (Orange Park), No. 10 Williston, No. 11 Gainesville, No. 13 University Christian (Jacksonville), and No. 16 Creekside (St. Johns).

Jackson’s only losses were by one point to Fleming Island and six points to Ribault. The Tigers received all 10 first-place votes again this week.

The Villages remain No. 2.

The Buffalo (17-5) have wins over Williston, Impact Christian, St. Mary’s (MI), and Windermere. Among their five losses were setbacks against state-ranked St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale), Gibbs (St. Petersburg), and University Christian.

Tocoi Creek stays 3rd. The Toros head into the final week of the regular season at 19-3, with the only losses to Jackson, Creekside, and RV St. Augustine.

Ribault moves up a spot to 4th. The Trojans (16-6) avenged an earlier season loss to Jackson by defeating the Tigers, 57-51, last Friday.

Undefeated Newberry (19-0) rounds out the top five.

The Panthers moved up five spots this week after knocking off two-time defending state champion Williston for the second time this season, beating the Red Devils, 47-45, on a shot at the buzzer last Friday. Newberry also has a win over 14th-ranked Hawthorne.

Impact Christian Academy (Jacksonville) also moved up five spots to start the second five.

The Lions (18-4) have won 11 games in a row and have beaten Creekside, Ponte Vedra, No. 15 Providence (Jacksonville), and RV Columbia (Lake City). Two of the four losses for Impact Christian were against the top two teams in the poll, Jackson and The Villages.

Ponte Vedra is ranked 7th, followed by Oakleaf (Orange Park) at No. 8, Fleming Island and Williston in the top 10.

Other Main Street Daily News area teams in the second ten include Gainesville, just out of the top ten at 11th, and 14th-ranked Hawthorne. The Hornets (13-2) are new to the poll this week.
Columbia is receiving votes.

Hawthorne (13-2), which is ranked 14th, No. 13 University Christian, No. 16 Creekside, and 19th-ranked Lecanto are all new to the rankings.

Falling out from the previous poll are Hilliard, North Marion (Citra), New Smyrna Beach, and Columbia.

The Prep Zone Power Poll ranks the top 20 high school football, girls basketball, boys basketball, softball & baseball teams (regardless of FHSAA classification) across 26 counties in North Florida (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Madison, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, Sumter, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, Union & Volusia counties). It is voted on by sportswriters and sportscasters and it is powered by Anytime Fitness of Gainesville.

THE PREP ZONE POWER POLL – 2024-25 BOYS BASKETBALL POLL #4
(School, followed by classification, first-place votes, current 2024-25 record through 1/27, and total voting points)
1. Andrew Jackson (Jacksonville) (3A) (10) (21-2) – 200
2. The Villages (3A) (17-5) – 188
3. Tocoi Creek (St. Augustine) (6A) (19-3) – 175
4. Ribault (Jacksonville) (4A) (16-6) – 165
5. Newberry (3A) (19-0) – 151
6. Impact Christian Academy (Jacksonville) (1A) (18-4) – 144
7. Ponte Vedra (5A) (15-8) – 123
8. Oakleaf (Orange Park) (6A) (16-5) – 115
9. Fleming Island (Orange Park) (5A) (17-5) – 105
10. Williston (Rural) (13-9) – 92
11. Gainesville (5A) (17-6) – 87
12. Forest (Ocala) (6A) (18-4) – 81
13. University Christian (Jacksonville) (2A) (15-8) – 67
14. Hawthorne (Rural) (13-2) – 66
15. Providence (Jacksonville) (2A) (13-10) – 64
16. Creekside (St. Johns) (7A) (14-7) – 63
17. Eustis (4A) (15-7) – 58
18. Mandarin (Jacksonville) (6A) (17-5) – 31
19. Lecanto (5A) (20-2) – 25
20. Atlantic (Port Orange) (4A) (17-5) – 23
Also receiving votes: Hilliard (Rural) (12-4) – 17; North Marion (Citra) (4A) (15-6) – 16; Columbia (Lake City) (5A) (15-9) – 9; Leesburg (5A) (11-7) – 9; Fletcher (Neptune Beach) (6A) (16-5) – 8; New Smyrna Beach (5A) (15-6) – 4; Paxon (Jacksonville) (4A) (12-8) – 4; St. Augustine (5A) (15-5) – 3; Spruce Creek (Port Orange) (7A) (15-8) – 2.

Newberry Boys Basketball – 2025

Mike Ridaught
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Newberry Boys Basketball – 2025

Wednesday, 7-8 p.m. – “The Prep Zone” Sports Show 
‘Live’ audio: https://www.mainstreetdailynews.com/sports/live-stream/
Join Mainstreet Daily News Sports Director Mike Ridaught and co-host Marty Pallman as they talk high school sports from your locally owned Sonic Drive-In of Gainesville (39th Avenue). Their guests for this episode include Newberry boys basketball coach Patrick Green and members of the Panthers boys basketball team, who are 20-0 heading into Senior Night on Thursday against P.K. Yonge.

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