Friday, 7 p.m. (PREGAME) – High School Football, 7:30 p.m. (KICKOFF)
Join Mike Ridaught (Play-by-play) & Jake Ricker (Color) for this Class 1A-Region 4 Semifinal. Both teams enter the game with a record of 8-1. It’s the first meeting between the two teams in eight years.
Radio: “I am Country” 106.9 FM Gainesville
‘Live’ audio: https://streamdb6web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/WPLL
An interesting real first week of the playoffs is in the books, and a very busy one with so many teams in the playoffs.
A pretty good week for almost everyone, but especially for Mike and John. The race tightens even more, with Josh’s lead now down to a game over Mike and three games over John.
Here are the current standings, followed by this week’s games and last week’s results:
Joshua Wilson (FloridaHSFootball.com): 89-26 (.774)
Mike Ridaught (The Prep Zone): 88-27 (.765)
John Patton (Ocala Star-Banner): 86-29 (.748)
Corey Davis (Gainesville Sun): 83-32 (.722)
Marty Pallman (The Prep Zone): 82-33 (.713)
Tyler TenBieg (The Prep Zone): 75-40 (.652)
Friday, Nov. 20
Oakleaf (Orange Park) (7-3) at Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (8-1) – 8A Region 1 Quarterfinal
Flagler Palm Coast (4-3) at Sandalwood (Jacksonville) (7-2) – 8A Region 1 Quarterfinal
Lincoln (Tallahassee) (6-1) at Atlantic Coast (Jacksonville) (4-5) – 7A Region 1 Quarterfinal
Buchholz (Gainesville) (7-1) at Navarre (6-0) – 7A Region 1 Quarterfinal
Robert E. Lee (Jacksonville) (6-1) at Pace (4-3) – 6A Region 1 Quarterfinal
Escambia (Pensacola) (8-0) at St. Augustine (7-2) – 6A Region 1 Quarterfinal
Menendez (St. Augustine) (4-5) at Orange Park (4-5) – 6A Region 2 Quarterfinal
Bradford (Starke) (5-5) at South Sumter (Bushnell) (4-4) – 4A Region 2 Semifinal
Wildwood (8-1) at Newberry (8-1) – 1A Region 4 Semifinal
Fort Meade (5-3) at Hawthorne (7-2) – 1A Region 4 Semifinal
Tyler TenBieg (7-3)
Sandalwood
DeLand
Creekside – X
Columbia
New Smyrna Beach – X
Raines
Bishop Moore
Bolles
Fernandina Beach
Oak Hall – X
Mike Ridaught (8-2)
Sandalwood
DeLand
Buchholz
Columbia
Matanzas
Raines
Bishop Moore
Bolles
West Nassau – X
Oak Hall – X
John Patton (8-2)
Mandarin – X
DeLand
Buchholz
Columbia
Matanzas
Raines
Bishop Moore
Bolles
Fernandina Beach
Oak Hall – X
Marty Pallman (7-3)
Mandarin – X
DeLand
Buchholz
Columbia
Matanzas
Raines
Bishop Moore
Bolles
West Nassau – X
Oak Hall – X
Joshua Wilson (7-3)
Mandarin – X
DeLand
Buchholz
Columbia
Matanzas
Raines
Bishop Moore
Bolles
West Nassau – X
Oak Hall – X
Corey Davis (6-4)
Sandalwood
DeLand
Buchholz
Ponte Vedra – X
Matanzas
Westside – X
Bishop Moore
Bolles
West Nassau – X
Oak Hall – X
Despite a COVID-challenged season that included limited practice time, fewer meets, little time for warm up or cool down during meets due to capacity limits in the pool and no spectators, the PKY Swimming and Diving team put together a season to remember.
The girls finished the season as the 4th best team in the state in Class 1A. Other accolades include City Meet Runner-up, District Champions for the 10th year in a row and Regional Runner-up to Bolles.
Coach Kara Dawson said she was impressed with growth and maturity of this young team.
“The girls team is still very young but I think they are starting to believe that they belong at the top of the state and I look forward to seeing just how far they can go as individuals and as a team,” she said.
The Boys team finished 11th at State and 5th at Regionals. In addition, they were City Champions for the second year in a row and District Champions for the 8th year in a row.
Dawson was surprised by the boys’ performance this year.
“I was truthfully a bit surprised by how well the boys did this year,” she said. “We graduated four college level swimmers and a college level diver last year in addition to many other strong contributors and leaders. We had only one returning State qualifier on the team from last year yet seven individuals qualified this year and everyone one of them placed in the top 16. I expect to have another great season next year with five of those qualifiers and numerous other fast swimmers returning.”
Dawson attributes the overall success of the team to depth.
“Winning swim meets requires swimmers who place in the top two or three spots but it also requires depth since big meets score to 16th place and regular meets score to 5th or 7th place depending on the format,” she said. “Our team has great depth as evidenced by over 95% of our athletes scoring points in championship meets. We have athletes who are committed to the team, to working hard and getting better and who recognize that everyone has an important role to play if we are to be successful as a team.”
Dawson also attributes the team’s success to the 10 seniors (Catalina Aguirre, Ana Barrientos, Patrick Kallenbach , Catherine Lewis, Chloe Maclaren, Aaron Nelson, Gabriella Reeves, Kate Scarborough, Ethen Ungaro, Tate Workman).
“Many of these kids have been with the program since 6th or 7th grade and this season they really embraced their leadership role and helped the team through a challenging season,” Dawson said. “We will miss their leadership as well as their swimming talent. These 10 Seniors combined for over a third of our points in championship meets. Underclassmen will really need to step up next year to fill this void.”
2020 PKY City Champions
1. Boys 200 Medley Relay (Joseph, Ethen, Brandon, Benjamin)
2. Girls 200 IM (Gwen)
3. Girls 50 Free (Lillie)
4. Boys 100 Fly (Brandon)
5. Girls 100 Breast (Gwen)
2020 PKY City Runner-ups
1. Girls 200 Medley Relay (Ana, Gwen, Lillie, Gabriella)
2. Girls 100 Fly (Lillie)
3. Boys 100 Fly (Joseph)
4. Girls 100 Free (Samantha)
5. Boys 100 Free (Lex)
6. Girls 500 Free (Gabriella)
7. Boys 200 Free Relay (Benjamin, Lex, Aaron, Joseph)
8. Boys 400 Free Relay (Brandon, Ethen, Aaron, Lex)
2020 PKY District Champions
1. Girls 200 Medley Relay (Tara Mcgovern, Gwen Shahboz, Laci Herron, Lillie Nesty)
2. Girls 200 IM (Gwen Shahboz)
3. Boys 200 IM (Benjamin Wolking)
4. Girls 50 Free (Lillie Nesty)
5. Girls 100 Fly (Lillie Nesty)
6. Boys 100 Fly (Brandon Jeong)
7. Girls 100 Free (Chloe Maclaren)
8. Girls 500 Free (Gabriella Reeves)
9. Girls 200 Free Relay (Tara Mcgovern, Gwen Shahboz, Samantha Belmore, Gabriella Reeves)
10. Boys 100 Back (Joseph Pyon)
11. Girls 400 Free Relay (Laci Herron, Samantha Belmore, Gabriella Reeves, Lillie Nesty)
12. Boys 400 Free Relay (Joseph Pyon, Ethen Ungaro, Brandon Jeong, Lex Fetko)
2020 PKY District Runner-Ups
1. Boys 200 Medley Relay (Benjamin Wolking, Joseph Pyon, Brandon Jeong, Lex Fetko)
2. Girls 200 Free (Gabriella Reeves)
3. Girls 200 IM (Laci Herron)
4. Boys 200 IM (Patrick Kallenbach)
5. Girls 50 Free (Catalina Aguirre)
6. Boys 50 Free (Lex Fetko)
7. Girls 100 Fly (Laci Herron)
8. Boys 100 Fly (Joseph Pyon)
9. Boys 100 Free (Lex Fetko)
10. Girls 500 Free (Samantha Belmore)
11. Boys 200 Free Relay (Benjamin Wolking, Ethen Ungaro, Drew Dawson, Aaron Nelson)
12. Boys 100 Back (Brandon Jeong)
13. Girls 100 Breast (Gwen Shahboz)
2020 PKY Top 16 State Finishers
1. Girls 200 Medley Relay (Tara McGovern, Gwen Shahboz, Laci Herron, Lillie Nesty – 6th place)
2. Boys 200 Medley Relay (Benjamin Wolking, Joseph Pyon, Brandon Jeong, Lex Fetko – 8th place)
3. Girls 200 Freestyle (Samantha Belmore – 16th place)
4. Girls 200 IM (Gwen Shahboz – 6th place)
5. Girls 50 Free (Lillie Nesty – 5th place: All-American consideration time)
6. Boys 50 Free (Lex Fetko – 16th place)
7. Girls 100 Fly (Lillie Nesty – 13th place)
8. Girls 100 Fly (Laci Herron – 15th place)
9. Boys 100 Fly (Joseph Pyon – 16th place)
10. Boys 100 Free (Lex Fetko – 16th place)
11. Girls 500 Free (Samantha Belmore – 16th place)
12. Girls 200 Free Relay (Laci Herron, Abbie McGovern, Samantha Belmore, Gwen Shahboz -4th place)
13. Boys 200 Free Relay (Ethen Ungaro, Benjamin Wolking, Drew Dawson, Aaron Nelson – 13th place)
14. Girls 100 Back (Abbie McGovern -11th place)
15. Boys 100 Back (Brandon Jeong – 13th place)
16. Boys 100 Back (Joseph Pyon – 14th place)
17. Girls 100 Breast (Gwen Shahboz -7th place)
18. Girls 400 Free Relay (Samantha Belmore, Laci Herron, Tara McGovern, Lillie Nesty – 9th place)
19. Boys 400 Free Relay (Brandon Jeong, Ethen Ungaro, Joseph Pyon, Lex Fetko -8th place)
New PKY School Records set in 2020
Lillian Nesty: 50 Free (23.53 All-American Consideration)
Lillian Nesty: 100 Fly (57.26)
Gwen Shahboz: 200 IM (1:06.62)
Gwen Shahboz: 100 Breast (1:05.69)
Joseph Pyon: 100 Fly (52.40)
No surprises in opening round of playoffs as nine of the top 10 teams in The Prep Zone Power Poll win
GAINESVILLE — The high school football postseason got underway last week but there were very few surprises among the teams in The Prep Zone Power Poll.
Nine of the top 10 teams won their opening round games last week, so there was very little movement among the top 10 in the latest all-classification regional rankings.
At the top once again this week is the unanimous #1 team, the Bartram Trail (St. Johns) Bears.
Bartram Trail (8-1) received a bye last week but now faces a tough test coming up in the Region 1-8A quarterfinal against #4 Oakleaf (Orange Park). The two teams met during the regular season, with Bartram Trail rallying in the fourth quarter for a 30-27 win.
The Bears once again received all nine first-place votes this week.
Oakleaf (7-3) advanced with a forfeit win over Nease (Ponte Vedra) in a Region 1 play-in game.
Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) remains 2nd as the Conquerors rallied past then-#16 Baldwin 20-3 in a Region 1-3A quarterfinal.
Next up for Trinity Christian (8-1) is another road game this Friday at Episcopal (Jacksonville). If the Conquerors win that game there could be a matchup coming with 3A state runner-up Florida High (Tallahassee) in the Region 1-3A final next week.
Dunnellon remains third as the Tigers romped past Eastside (Gainesville) 50-0 in their Region 2-5A play-in game.
The Tigers (7-0) are back on the road Friday at North Marion (Citra), which knocked Dunnellon out of the playoffs in the 5A quarterfinals in 2019. But Dunnellon already beat North Marion 32-8 in a regular season matchup this season.
Following Oakleaf and rounding out the top five is Vanguard (Ocala).
The Knights (6-1) also hit the road and had no problem with Crystal River 38-0 in their playoff opener. Next up for Vanguard is a home game against Ridgeview (Orange Park) in a Region 2-5A quarterfinal this Friday.
Mainland (Daytona Beach) stays in the #6 spot after rallying past Gainesville 24-21 in another road matchup in Region 1-6A. The Bucs (7-1) stay on the road this week but closer to home at Matanzas (Palm Coast), which won their first-ever playoff game 7-6 last Friday against New Smyrna Beach.
Bolles (Jacksonville) was yet another team to win on the road last week, pounding then #14T The Villages 44-14 in a Region 2-4A quarterfinal.
The Bulldogs (7-2) will try to be road warriors again this week at Fernandina Beach. The Pirates picked up their first-ever playoff win as well last week over Nassau County rival West Nassau (Callahan).
Robert E. Lee (Jacksonville) remains #8 as the Generals (6-1) pummeled Fort Walton Beach 41-6 in their 6A playoff opener. Now comes a long trip to the Panhandle for a Region 1-6A quarterfinal against Pace.
Buchholz (Gainesville) is 9th after pounding Creekside (St, Johns) for the second time in three weeks, this time 46-13 in a Region 1-7A play-in game.
Buchholz (7-1), which has won seven in a row, also must take a long road trip to the Panhandle as they face 6-0 Navarre in a region quarterfinal game. With the win the Bobcats move up a spot from the previous ranking.
Madison County drops a spot but rounds out the top 10 after a 48-19 Region 3-1A quarterfinal win over Dixie County (Cross City). The Cowboys (8-2) hit the road to undefeated RV Hilliard for a region semifinal game this week.
St. Augustine makes a big move this week, up five spots from 20th to 15th after rallying past Mosley (Lynn Haven) 38-24 in a Region 1-6A play-in game. The Yellow Jackets (7-2) face another tough test next against undefeated Escambia (Pensacola), last year’s 6A state runner-up.
Lake Minneola also moves up three spots to #16 as the Hawks (7-1) blasted Land O’Lakes 54-0 on the road in their 6A play-in game. Lake Minneola is back home against Boca Ciega (Gulfport) in a Region 2-6A quarterfinal on Friday.
Baldwin, Fletcher (Neptune Beach), and Nature Coast Tech (Brooksville), all dropped out of the rankings from a week ago.
Fletcher saw it’s season end with an upset 47-21 loss at Atlantic Coast (Jacksonville) in the 7A playoffs, and Nature Coast Tech lost at home 45-28 to Bishop Moore (Orlando) in a Region 3-5A play-in game.
Despite a forfeit win, Newberry moves into the poll at #17. The Panthers (8-1) host RV Wildwood in a Region 4-1A semifinal game on Friday.
Sandalwood (Jacksonville) is also new to the poll at 18th after knocking off Mandarin (Jacksonville) 28-13 in their 8A playoff opener on Monday. The Saints (7-2) are right back at it on Friday at home against RV Flagler Palm Coast in a Region 1-8A quarterfinal.
Hawthorne also moves in at 19th. The Hornets (7-2) rolled over Chiefland 40-0 in their Region 4-1A quarterfinal and are once again home this week against Fort Meade.
Finally, DeLand and Trinity Catholic (Ocala) are back in the rankings as both teams are tied for 20th. DeLand trounced University (Orange City) 35-0 in a Region 1-8A play-in game and now hosts undefeated Seminole (Sanford) in a region quarterfinal this week.
Trinity Catholic defeated Melbourne Central Catholic by forfeit and is on the road at Taylor (Pierson) in a 3A region semifinal. Trinity Christian looms on the other side if the Celtics win this week.
This is the final poll until after the FHSAA State Football Championships from December 17-19.
The Prep Zone Power Poll ranks the top 20 high school football, 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 weekly by sportswriters and sportscasters and it is powered by Anytime Fitness of Gainesville.
THE PREP ZONE POWER POLL – 2020 FOOTBALL POLL #11
(School, followed by classification, first-place votes, current record, and total voting points)
1. Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (8A) (9) (8-1) – 180
2. Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (3A) (8-1) – 170
3. Dunnellon (5A) (7-0) – 160
4. Oakleaf (Orange Park) (8A) (7-3) – 150
5. Vanguard (Ocala) (5A) (6-1) – 145
6. Mainland (Daytona Beach) (6A) (7-1) – 127
7. Bolles (Jacksonville) (4A) (7-2) – 125
8. Robert E. Lee (Jacksonville) (6A) (6-1) – 113
9. Buchholz (Gainesville) (7A) (7-1) – 108
10. Madison County (1A) (8-2) – 99
11. Clay (Green Cove Springs) (5A) (8-1) – 85
12. Suwannee (Live Oak) (5A) (8-2) – 80
13. Fleming Island (Orange Park) (7A) (7-2) – 74
14. Baker County (Glen St. Mary) (5A) (7-2) – 67
15. St. Augustine (6A) (7-2) – 58
16. Lake Minneola (Minneola) (6A) (7-1) – 40
17. Newberry (1A) (8-1) – 24
18. Sandalwood (Jacksonville) (8A) (7-2) – 20
19. Hawthorne (1A) (7-2) – 13
20T. DeLand (8A) (4-2) – 12
20T. Trinity Catholic (Ocala) (3A) (4-3) – 12
Also receiving votes: Flagler Palm Coast (8A) (4-3) – 11; Wildwood (1A) (8-1) – 10; Hilliard (1A) (8-0) – 9; The Villages (4A) (6-1) – 8; Baldwin (3A) (8-1) – 2; Nature Coast Tech (Brooksville) (5A) (7-1) – 2; Fletcher (Neptune Beach) (7A) (6-2) – 1.
Each year the goals for the Trenton girls basketball team are to shoot for winning the district and state championship. The Lady Tigers are striving to continue the success from previous Trenton teams.
Since head coach Bryant Frye’s arrival in the 2014-15 season, the Lady Tigers have complied a record of 149 wins and only 21 losses. They have been district champions for six straight seasons, with zero district losses.
The Lady Tigers won the Class 1A state title in 2019 and were state runners-up in 2016.
“Coming off a state championship in 2019, last year’s team was working and growing to fill the roles of five seniors that departed,” Frye said. “Bri Becker, Samarie McHenry and Janiyah King all played in the state championship season producing in smaller roles, whereas in the 2019-20 season, those players had to learn new roles and make major contributions to the success of last year’s team.”
Starters Janiyah King (13.2 PPG, 9.8 RPG) and Samarie McHenry (10.6 PPG, 10.8 RPG) are back for their senior season, along with junior Bri Becker (10.5 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 4.8 APG, 3.9 SPG) to give the Lady Tigers a strong nucleus that will once again compete for another state title.
“We had some new additions last season that helped contribute to the success of the team in Jordan Douglas (previously Bell) and Kinsey Akins (previously Chiefland),” Frye said.
Frye has beefed up the schedule against bigger competition to help prepare the Lady Tigers for a deep playoff run. However, due to Covid protocols, the start to the 2020-21 season has been delayed.
Trenton has announced the rescheduling of its games this week and Monday, Nov. 23, due to Covid issues.
Tuesday’s scheduled road game at Providence (Jacksonville) has been moved to Monday, Jan. 4. The home game against P.K. Yonge scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 19, will now be played on Monday, Dec. 14. And this Monday’s boys and girls double-header against Branford (Nov. 23) has been rescheduled for Thursday, Jan. 7.
The Trenton girls are now scheduled to open the season after Thanksgiving on Monday, November 30, at home against Bronson. The girls will play at 6:30 p.m., followed by the boys’ game at 8 p.m.
2020-21 Preseason Basketball Outlook
School: Trenton High School (Girls)
Coach’s name: Bryant Frye
Years as head coach: 8 years (1 year Newberry; last 7 years Trenton)
2020-21 Class/District/Region: Class 1A/District 6/Region 3
2019-20 Overall Record: 21-6 (lost to Lafayette in Regional Semifinal)
Number of returning starters:
#50 Janiyah King, SR, 13.2 PPG, 9.8 RPG
#35 Samarie McHenry, SR, 10.6 PPG, 10.8 RPG
#2 Bri Becker, JR, 10.5 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 4.8 APG, 3.9 SPG
#14 Jordan Douglas, JR, 8.3 PPG, 3.2 APG
#1 Kinsey Akins, SR, 6.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 3.3 SPG
Key losses: Emily Barras/Nikki Deen
Key games: Providence (away), PK Yonge, Wildwood, Orange Park, Bradford
Outlook for 2020-21: “The outlook for the 20-21 season is to continue building on the success from last season and we are working to get back to Lakeland and potentially win another state championship for this program. Due to adding higher classifications in the schedule, we are hoping that will help prepare us for a chance to get better and become a stronger team for the playoffs. The Lady Tigers have averaged around 60 points per game and look to keep teams off guard with their up-tempo style play.” – Head coach Bryant Frye
Class 5A state champion Ponte Vedra goes wire-to-wire to claim top spot in all-classification regional rankings
GAINESVILLE – Ponte Vedra ran the table and claimed the top ranking in The Prep Zone Power Poll for nine straight weeks.
The Sharks (27-0) secured its place at the top after winning its second straight Class 5A state title with a 3-0 sweep over Jensen Beach in the finals.
Ponte Vedra, which has won 36 consecutive games, was a unanimous selection and received all six of the first-place votes in the final poll.
Trinity Catholic (Ocala) (18-6) finished second after sweeping Westminster Christian (Miami) to win the Class 3A state title.
Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) (18-6) moves up from eighth to third after winning the Class 4A state title with a 3-1 win over Cardinal Gibbons.
Creekside (St. Johns) (17-3) dropped from two to four after falling to state runner-up Leon (Tallahassee) in the second round of the playoffs.
Forest (Ocala) (16-1) dropped from three to five after falling in the Elite 8 against host St. Petersburg.
Rounding out the rest of the top 10 is No. 6 Santa Fe (Alachua) (21-9), No. 7 Newberry (23-4), No. 8 Vanguard (Ocala) (15-3), No. 9 Weeki Wachee (17-1) and No. 10 Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (14-8).
The Prep Zone Power Poll ranks the top 20 high school football, volleyball, girls basketball, boys basketball, baseball and 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 and Volusia counties). It is voted on weekly by sportswriters and sportscasters and it is powered by Anytime Fitness of Gainesville.
The Prep Zone Power Poll – 2020 Volleyball Poll #9
(School, city, classification, first-place votes, overall record, and total voting points)
1. Ponte Vedra (5A) (6) (27-0) – 140
2. Trinity Catholic (Ocala) (3A) (18-6) – 110
3. Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) (4A) – 106
4. Creekside (St. Johns) (6A) (17-3) – 100
5. Forest (Ocala) (6A) (16-1) -95
6. Santa Fe (Alachua) (4A) (21-9) – 90
7. Newberry (1A) (23-4) – 86
8. Vanguard (Ocala) (5A) (15-3) – 84
9. Weeki Wachee (4A) (17-1) – 72
10. Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (7A) (14-8) – 66
11. Bell (1A) (20-6) – 55
12. Deland (7A) (16-7) – 53
13. Fleming Island (6A) (Orange Park) (14-8) – 49
14. Yulee (4A) (16-6) – 39
15. Christ’s Church (Jacksonville) (2A) (13-7) – 36
16. Ridgeview (Orange Park) (5A) (14-10) – 25
17. East Ridge (Clermont) (7A) (9-6) – 22
18. St. Johns Country Day (Orange Park) (2A) (16-2) – 21
19. Trenton (1A) (14-6) – 10
20. Providence (Jacksonville) (14-4) – 7
Receiving votes: South Lake (Groveland) (6A) (17-5) – 5; Fletcher (Neptune Beach) (6A) (17-3) – 3; Gainesville (6A) (12-8) -2; Lecanto (5A) (12-5) – 1; Aucilla Christian (Monticello) (15-2) – 1; New Smyrna Beach (6A) (16-8) -1; Mandarin (Jacksonville) (7A) (11-10) – 1.
Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville), state runners-up in back-to-back seasons, opens season on top of the all-classification regional rankings once again
GAINESVILLE — Plenty has happened since the last girls basketball season ended in Florida.
A pandemic ended the spring sports season prematurely, and the fall sports season was in jeopardy before beginning a few weeks late in September.
But the 2020-21 season begins this week, and some things haven’t changed – like the team at the top of the all-classification regional rankings, the Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) Crusaders.
Bishop Kenny, led by All-First Coast player of the year and Miami signee Jasmyne Roberts, finished as the Class 4A state runner-up last season for the second consecutive season. That was enough for the Crusaders to finish as the #1 team in the final power poll for the 2019-20 season.
And with Roberts, Maddie Millar, and Jamia Nesmith returning, Bishop Kenny receives three of the eight first-place votes to start the new season on top as well.
The Crusaders just edged out Raines for the top spot. The Vikings received two first-place votes after a 28-2 season a year ago that ended in the 4A region final round against Bishop Kenny.
Raines, which returns Ahliah Brown in the backcourt and Jamicia Davis in the frontcourt, is an excellent defensive team but can score with the best of them as well.
Next up at #3 is defending 1A state champion Hawthorne.
The Hornets, who captured their first state girls basketball title last season, also received two first-place votes and are expected to be one of the favorites in Class 1A again this season with most of last season’s players returning and Charlotte signee Mya McGraw transferring into Coach Cornelius Ingram’s program from P.K. Yonge (Gainesville).
Rounding out the top five are two teams tied for 4th, Spruce Creek (Port Orange) and Ribault (Jacksonville).
Spruce Creek was 24-6 and lost to Timber Creek (Orlando) in the Region 1-8A final last season, while Ribault saw their season end with a loss at rival Raines in a 4A region semifinal. Spruce Creek finished the 2019-20 season at #4 while Ribault placed 5th.
Father Lopez (Daytona Beach) received the final first-place vote and leads off the second five. The Green Wave finished last season ranked #3 with a 26-3 mark, losing to eventual 3A state runner-up Master’s Academy (Oviedo) in a region final.
The rest of the second five consists of 7th-ranked Wildwood, Nease (Ponte Vedra) at #8, and Flagler Palm Coast and Creekside (St. Johns) tied for 9th.
Nease was unranked in the final poll last season, but finished the 2018-19 season atop The Prep Zone rankings after finishing as the 7A state runner-up.
The Prep Zone Power Poll ranks the top 20 high school football, volleyball, girls basketball, boys 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 weekly by sportswriters and sportscasters and it is powered by Anytime Fitness of Gainesville.
THE PREP ZONE POWER POLL – 2020-21 GIRLS BASKETBALL POLL #1 (PRESEASON)
(School, followed by classification, first-place votes, final 2019-2020 record, and total voting points)
1. Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) (4A) (3) (22-10) – 145
2. Raines (Jacksonville) (4A) (2) (28-2) – 141
3. Hawthorne (1A) (2) (29-2) – 119
4T. Spruce Creek (Port Orange) (7A) (24-6) – 115
4T. Ribault (Jacksonville) (4A) (23-9) – 115
6. Father Lopez (Daytona Beach) (3A) (1) (26-3) – 107
7. Wildwood (1A) (25-3) – 83
8. Nease (Ponte Vedra) (6A) (14-11) – 70
9T. Flagler Palm Coast (7A) (18-7) – 60
9T. Creekside (St. Johns) (6A) (16-9) – 60
11. University Christian (Jacksonville) (2A) (21-5) – 56
12T. Middleburg (5A) (19-7) – 53
12T. St. Augustine (5A) (19-6) – 53
14. Mainland (Daytona Beach) (6A) (13-12) – 49
15. Oakleaf (Orange Park) (7A) (16-11) – 45
16. Columbia (Lake City) (6A) (21-8) – 42
17T. Bolles (Jacksonville) (4A) (18-10) – 40
17T. P.K. Yonge (Gainesville) (3A) (18-9) – 40
19. Trenton (1A) (21-6) – 30
20. Vanguard (Ocala) (5A) (16-9) – 28
Also receiving votes: Lafayette (Mayo) (1A) (17-10) – 27; Sandalwood (Jacksonville) (7A) (16-12) – 27; Madison County (1A) (22-7) – 25; Eustis (4A) (19-8) – 22; Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (7A) (13-12) -16; North Marion (Citra) (4A) (19-9) – 15; Terry Parker (Jacksonville) (5A) (13-9) – 15; Weeki Wachee (4A) (18-9) – 9; Crystal River (4A) (20-7) – 8; Orange Park (5A) (20-8) – 8; Providence (Jacksonville) (3A) (19-8) – 8; Atlantic (Port Orange) (4A) (17-9) – 6; Andrew Jackson (Jacksonville) (3A) (16-10) – 5; North Florida Educational Institute (Jacksonville) (2A) (17-4) – 4; Paxon (Jacksonville) (4A) (2-17) – 4; Episcopal (Jacksonville) (3A) (15-8) – 3; West Port (Ocala) (7A) (15-11) – 3; South Sumter (Bushnell) (4A) (20-9) – 2; Mandarin (Jacksonville) (7A) (14-8) – 1.
Congratulations to P.K. Yonge girls basketball coach Willie Powers.
On Monday night, Nov. 16, the Lady Blue Wave defeated visiting Madison County 50-42 to give Coach Powers his 500th victory.
Powers now has an overall record of 501-162 with eight final four trips to Lakeland, two state championships and one State Runner Up finish, plus 18 district championships.
The Lady Blue Wave will be young and rebuilding this season with one 7th-grader, five freshmen, two sophomores, two juniors, and only one senior.
“This group has really worked hard but varsity experience will hurt.” Powers said. “I can’t wait to see what happens but 7th-grader Ashlynn Young, 10th grader Ilayzia Wilcox, junior Sydney English and senior Grace Cox all return to help us with the youth!”
On Tuesday night, the Lady Blue Wave moved to 2-0 with a 67-24 win at Hamilton County (Jasper). Young led all scorers with 15 points.
P.K. Yonge’s game scheduled for Thursday at Trenton has been postponed due to Covid protocols at Trenton. The Lady Blue Wave will now travel to Trenton on Monday, Dec. 14.
2020-21 Preseason Basketball Outlook
School: PK Yonge DRS.
Coach’s name: Willie F Powers
Years as head coach: 19
2020-21 Class/District/Region: 3A
2019-20 Overall Record:18-9
Number of returning starters (include names, ppg for your leading returner & rpg for your leading rebounder): Grace Cox 6ppg
Key losses: Leading scorer Courtney Moore (16.6 ppg) graduated; second leading scorer & leading rebounder Mya McGraw (15.5 ppg & 9.3 rpg), a Charlotte signee, transferred to Hawthorne
Key games: “All of them!”
Outlook for 2020-21 (Expectations, challenges, what has to happen for this to be a successful season, etc.): “Rebuilding with 1-Seventh grader 5 – freshmen, two-10th graders, two juniors, and one senior.”
Wednesday (TONIGHT), 7-8 p.m. – “The Prep Zone” Sports Show (broadcast from Sonic Drive-In on 39th Avenue in Gainesville)
Join Mike Ridaught & Marty Pallman as they talk high school sports. Their guests for this week include Joshua Wilson of FloridaHSFootball.com and Corey Davis of the Gainesville Sun as they preview the high school football state playoffs.
Radio: “I am Country” 106.9 FM Gainesville
‘Live’ audio: https://streamdb6web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/WPLL
Here are the FHSAA Football state playoff games in The Prep Zone’s coverage area this week
(Games on Friday, November 13, unless otherwise noted).
Class 8A
Region 1 Play-In Games
Oakleaf (Orange Park) 2, Nease (Ponte Vedra) 0 (Forfeit due to COVID-19 protocol)
Sandalwood (Jacksonville) 28, Mandarin (Jacksonville) 13 (Mon., 11/16)
DeLand 35, University (Orange City) 0
Region 2 Play-In Game
Winter Park 42, East Ridge (Clermont) (4-3) 6
Class 7A
Region 1 Play-In Games
Fleming Island (Orange Park) 21, Tate (Cantonment) 0
Buchholz (Gainesville) 46, Creekside (St. Johns) 13
Lincoln (Tallahassee) 42, First Coast (Jacksonville) 8
Atlantic Coast (Jacksonville) 47, Fletcher (Neptune Beach) 21
Region 2 Play-In Games
Edgewater (Orlando) 47, Forest (Ocala) 14
Lyman (Longwood) 42, South Lake (Groveland) 38
Class 6A
Region 1 Play-In Games
Robert E. Lee (Jacksonville) 41, Fort Walton Beach 6
St. Augustine 38, Mosley (Lynn Haven) 24
Escambia (Pensacola) 44, Middleburg 0
Columbia (Lake City) 14, Ponte Vedra 0
Seabreeze (Daytona Beach) 21, Gulf Breeze 20
Mainland (Daytona Beach) 24, Gainesville 21
Matanzas (Palm Coast) 7, New Smyrna Beach 6
Region 2 Play-In Games
Countryside (Clearwater) 21 Springstead (Spring Hill) 7
Pasco (Dade City) 9, Lecanto 8
Deltona 19, Freedom (Tampa) 13
Lake Minneola 54, Land O’ Lakes 0
Boca Ciega 2, Pine Ridge (Deltona) 0 (forfeit due to COVID-19 protocol)
Class 5A
Region 1 Play-In Games
Raines (Jacksonville) 28, Westside (Jacksonville) 20
Ribault (Jacksonville) 38, Choctawhatchee (Fort Walton Beach) 33
Suwannee (Live Oak) 14, Terry Parker (Jacksonville) 7
Baker County (Glen St. Mary) 2, Arnold (Panama City) 0 (forfeit due to COVID-19 protocol)
Godby (Tallahassee) 64, Paxon (Jacksonville) 0
Rickards (Tallahassee) 21, Ed White (Jacksonville) 14
Region 2 Play-In Games
Menendez (St. Augustine) 32, Mount Dora 27
Orange Park 20, Citrus (Inverness) 7
Dunnellon 50, Eastside (Gainesville) 0
North Marion (Citra) 47, Belleview 0
Clay (Green Cove Springs) 43, Leesburg 0
Ridgeview (Orange Park) 38, Tavares 20
Vanguard (Ocala) 38, Crystal River 0
Atlantic (Port Orange) 6, Lake Weir (Ocala) 3
Region 3 Play-In Games
Zephyrhills 26, Weeki Wachee 0
Anclote (Holiday) 42, Central (Brooksville) 6
Hernando (Brooksville) 55, Tarpon Springs 14
Bishop Moore (Orlando) 45, Nature Coast Tech (Brooksville) 21
Class 4A
Region 1 Quarterfinal
Gadsden County (Havana) 38, Santa Fe (Alachua) 0
Region 2 Quarterfinals
Bolles (Jacksonville) 44, The Villages 14
Bradford (Starke) 40, Keystone Heights 14
South Sumter (Bushnell) 28, Palatka 7
Fernandina Beach 34, West Nassau (Callahan) 22
Class 3A
Region 1 Quarterfinals
Episcopal (Jacksonville) 41, Interlachen 19
Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) 20, Baldwin 3
Florida High (Tallahassee) 42, Andrew Jackson (Jacksonville) 6
Pensacola Catholic 2, P.K. Yonge (Gainesville) 0 (Forfeit due to COVID-19 protocol)
Region 2 Quarterfinals
Taylor (Pierson) 42, Trinity Prep (Winter Park) 10
Trinity Catholic (Ocala) 2, Melbourne Central Catholic 0 (forfeit due to COVID-19 protocol)
Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy (Melbourne) 35, Father Lopez (Daytona Beach) 21
Class 2A
Region 1 Quarterfinals
University Christian (Jacksonville) 41, Aucilla Christian (Monticello) 16
North Florida Educational (Jacksonville) 40, Rocky Bayou Christian (Niceville) 0
Region 2 Quarterfinals
Victory Christian (Lakeland) 39, St. Joseph (St. Augustine) 0
Foundation Academy (Winter Garden) 2, Saint Francis Catholic Academy (Gainesville) 0 (Forfeit due to COVID-19 Protocol)
Orangewood Christian (Maitland) 55, Trinity Christian Academy (Deltona) 0
Class 1A
Region 2 Quarterfinal
Taylor County (Perry) 28, Jefferson County (Monticello) 6
Region 3 Quarterfinals
Fort White 21, Branford 20
Union County (Lake Butler) 42, Bell 0
Hilliard 22, Lafayette (Mayo) 21
Madison County 48, Dixie County (Cross City) 19
Region 4 Quarterfinals
Wildwood 40, Bronson 0
Newberry 2, Trenton 0 (forfeit due to COVID-19 protocol)
Hawthorne 40, Chiefland 0
Fort Meade 47, Williston 0 (Saturday, 11/14)