Compiled By Rod Gipson
MaxPreps.com
Tampa Bay Girls Basketball Rankings
1. ST. PETERSBURG BOCA CIEGA (28-3) – The Pirates take over the top spot by virtue of their big region final win against Tampa Jefferson. Boca Ciega went on a 12-0 second period run to go on to a 68-51 win and advance to the Class 5A Final Four. Senior guard Tory Stephens scored 30 points to lead Boca Ciega, which lost in the state semifinals a year ago. Boca Ciega will face Davie Nova for the right to play for a state championship.
2. TAMPA CATHOLIC (28-2) – For the first time in school history the Crusaders are advancing to the Class 3A Final Four. TC got a standout performance from forward Colette Eule, who scored 27 points in a 57-44 win against Melbourne Central Catholic in the regional finals. Tampa Catholic will face Miramar Parkway Academy in the state semifinals.
3. TAMPA JEFFERSON (26-2) – Jefferson’s slightly unexpected run came to an end with its regional finals loss to Boca Ciega. Along the way, the Dragons won 16 games in a row, including the regional semifinal win against powerhouse Clearwater. But coach Tom Mosca’s squad, the first Jefferson girls hoop team to advance to the regionals since 1979, figures to be a contender for a while.
4. CLEARWATER (27-3) – The season is considered a disappointment because the Tornadoes lost in the regional semifinals to Jefferson (59-49), but Clearwater was outstanding this season. Led by Veronica Ryan and J’beria Davis, the Tornadoes topped 60 points in 13 games and only scored less than 40 points once this season.
5. WESLEY CHAPEL (26-3) – The Wildcats went cold at the game’s end, falling 52-28 in the Class 5A region finals. Still, it was the second straight trip to the regional finals and the fourth straight to the regional playoffs for the Wildcat program.
Best of the Rest
St. Petersburg Catholic (21-7) – Four losses to Tampa Catholic this season was painful, especially the region semifinal.
St. Petersburg Gibbs (21-5) – A regional quarterfinal loss to Bradenton Southeast ended the Gladiators’ run.
Tampa Bay Tech (23-5) – Couldn’t overcome Wesley Chapel in the Class 5A region semis.
St. Petersburg (21-6) – Fell to Sarasota in Class 6A region semifinals.
Tampa Sickles (20-7) – Also booted by Sarasota in regional round. The good news? Forward Amber Henson (6-foot-4) is just a sophomore.