With the schedule pushed to 2024, Lakeland area high school basketball is heating up.
We take a look at which teams lit up the scoreboards at the start of the new year and give our ranking of the best teams in the region.
Here is a ranking of the best boys basketball teams in Polk County.
1. Winter Haven (12-1)
The Blue Devils were as good as advertised. They lost their opening game to the Burlington School of North Carolina and won 12 in a row. During the holidays. they defended their title at Kingdom of the Sun where Isaac Celiscar was named MVP. Winter Haven is ranked No. 2 overall in the FHSAA. In fact, the top three teams overall are Class 7A Miami Columbus, Winter Haven and Orlando Oak Ridge. Celiscar (21.5 ppg, 9.5 ppg, 5.5 ppg) and Jamie Phillips Jr. (15.7 ppg, 7.2 ppg, 58 ppg) were a double devastating with strong support from Zay Mosley (10.8 ppg, 7.3 ppg) and Tyrese Mayo. (9.8 points per game).
2. Christian victory (9-4)
The Storm lost their opening match to Rockledge at Kingdom of the Sun, then won three in a row to win the consolation bracket. Other losses were recorded against Winter Haven and Riviera Prep. LJ Cason has been unstoppable and surpassed 2,000 career points this season, while Mike Andino surpassed 1,000 career points. Cason is averaging 24.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.2 assists. Andino averages 14.9 points, followed by Jordan Lanier with 13.2 points per game. Thok Gol leads in rebounding with 8.1 RPG to go with 7.1 ppg.
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Retired player : New father Clayton, Bartow graduate, flourishes in first season with Gators after transfer
3. Santa Fe Catholic (9-2)
The Crimson Hawks lost their first game in the Battle of the Island, then won their last two. Their only other loss was by five points to Sarasota. The wins include a three-point victory over McKeel and a 15-point victory over Bartow. They were led by Tate Darner (19.8 ppg), Hunter Dykhuizen (16.6 ppg) and Toby Lane (10.1 ppg).
4. Lakes Region (6-1)
The Dreadnaughts only played one game before Dec. 15 as they waited out state football. Although they have been hit hard by losing players to graduation, including Rolijah Hardy, they remain one of the best teams in the county. They lost their second game of the season to Lake Gibson, then won five in a row. The Tate Major and Pat Dennis are among the top players.
5. Discovery (9-2)
The Spartans opened the season with eight straight wins before losing their first two games in a pre-Christmas tournament. They saved the tournament with a victory against Eau Gallie, 75-48. Darius Livingston is one of the county’s top scorers, averaging 23.0 points, and he is supported by Willie Wilson (13.8 ppg) and Lucson Jean (13.0 ppg).
6. Bartow (7-6)
It has been an eventful season for the Yellow Jackets. They lost three of their first four, won five in a row, then lost three in a row before defeating Cardinal Newman, 59-22, in their final game of the Holiday Basketball Classic in Palm Beach. Rickjerlin Senior Feliz (10.9 ppg) is the only Yellow Jacket scoring in double figures and leads with 10.5 RPG. Jayson Williams averages 9.4 points.
7. Jordanian Christian Preparation (7-3)
The Seahawks don’t play in the FHSAA but have solid talent and could be even better than last season despite losing Zay Mosley to Winter Haven. Returner Williams Reyes-Montanez remains one of the best players.
8. McKeel (9-4)
The Wildcats opened the season 5-0 and have gone 4-4 since. They beat DeLand and Dayton Beach Seabreeze before losing to East’s in the championship game of the Gus Gibbs Memorial Tournament.
9. Frost resistant (7-2)
The Bulldogs finished 2023 by winning the Lake Placid tournament behind MVP Sevastian Rosado. They have won seven in a row after losing their first two games of the season. A prolific scorer, Rosado averages 32.3 points, 4.8 assists and 5.3 steals. Turral Berry averages 14.9 points and Daiveon Pittman (5.9 points) averages 7.4 rebounds.
10. Lakeland Christian (6-2)
The Vikings closed out 2023 with a 20-point victory over Class 6A Ponte Vedra. They have four players averaging double figures, Ralph Scott (13.0 ppg), Nate Carpenter (12.7 ppg), Porter Stiles (11.1 ppg) and DJ Howard (10.3 ppg). points per game).
