Records through Wednesday
Boys
1. Nature Coast (8-1): Rohan Blackwood and the Sharks bounced back from a rough loss to Wiregrass Ranch with a 46-24 win over Eustis.
2. Wiregrass Ranch (4-2): The Bulls have slipped since a win over NCT, falling to strong Hillsborough County teams Chamberlain and Freedom.
3. Wesley Chapel (7-2): Senior standout Erik Thomas is the clear player of the year front runner, averaging 32 points and 18 rebounds.
4. Mitchell (7-1): Since falling to NCT, Lawrence Watt and the Mustangs have rattled off five consecutive, double-digit victories.
5. Hernando (4-0): Mark Wilson, Ra’shaad Hart and the Leopards have four victories, all by at least seven points.
6. Ridgewood (6-2): The Rams have already built an impressive resume, with big wins over Anclote and Hudson.
7. Anclote (5-4): The Sharks struggled with a rough schedule but have won five games in a row, including a 65-41 victory over a solid Land O’Lakes team.
Girls
1. Academy at the Lakes (9-0): How’s this for defense? The Wildcats have held at least four opponents to 11 or fewer points.
2. Pasco (6-0): The Pirates are rolling behind Brianca Roberts and Allahon Marbra. All six wins have been double-digit victories.
3. Wiregrass Ranch (7-3): Don’t let back-to-back ugly losses to Holy Names and Freedom fool you. The Bulls remain one of the county’s top teams.
4. Mitchell (7-3): The Mustangs have three quality losses — two to Tarpon Springs and one to Gulf — plus a marquee win over River Ridge.
5. Land O’Lakes (6-3): An up-and-down December has already included a 14-point win over Gulf and a 17-point loss to Pasco
6. River Ridge (5-4): Three of its four losses have come by five or fewer points. Sophomore Leah Ford is becoming one of the county’s top players.
7. Gulf (6-3): Kayla Kivinski is averaging a double double (21 points, 11 rebounds) on a team that still has the potential for a strong playoff push.