HS: Winter SIMA FAB 50, Dec. 6

by Sheldon Shealer

December 6, 2016

Three states are well under way in high school winter play, three states just started and one remains a month away from the start of its season. However, it's time for the first of the weekly SIMA FAB 50 update installments.

There's no change at the top as Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) has continued its undefeated run to remain No. 1 in the boys rankings, Marcus (Flower Mound, Texas) has yet to start so there's no need to move this squad from the No. 1 spot for girls.

Several important events play out this week that will shape future SIMA FAB 50 rankings. The most important is the Western Lotto Sport Showcase at San Clemente, which features teams from Arizona, California and Florida. The champion of the eight-team event is likely to jump into the SIMA FAB 50 national title chase -- if that team isn't there already. Also, this week in California, the Aliso Cup boys title pitting a pair of Top 25 teams was to be decided Monday while the girls event, featuring several ranked teams, plays out this week. In Florida, Montverde Academy is playing host to its girls showcase event with several of the Florida-North perennial powers.

BIG MOVERS: BOYS: Corona del Sol (Tempe, Ariz.). Corona del Sol leaped from No. 27 to No. 10 this week following a victory in an Arizona No. 1 vs. 2 showdown with Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.). Both teams will be competing at the Western Lotto Sport Showcase this week and a strong showing could further help both teams' rankings. ... GIRLS: [Edison ca-w] (Huntington Beach, Calif.). Edison jumped 10 spots from No. 34 to No. 24 following a season-opening tie with fellow Top 25-ranked San Clemente (Calif.).

NEWCOMERS: BOYS: No. 16 [Valencia/Valencia ca-m] (Calif.), No. 18 Merritt Island (Fla.), No. 43 Northwest Rankin, (Flowood, Miss.), No. 45 Pleasant Valley (Chico, Calif.), No. 46 San Pasqual (Escondido, Calif.), No. 47 Chaffey (Ontario, Calif.), No. 48 Hagerty (Oviedo, Fla.), No. 49 Brophy Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.), No. 50 Doral Academy (Doral, Fla.). ... GIRLS: No. 22 Boca Raton (Fla.), No. 25 Corona del Mar (Newport Beach, Calif.), No. 42 Taft (Woodland Hills, Calif.), No. 47 Oxbridge Academy (West Palm Beach, Fla.), No. 48 La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.), No. 49 Brandon (Miss.), No. 50 Palm Harbor University (Palm Harbor, Fla.).