New No. 1, three newcomers in Nashville area high school boys basketball Small Class rankings

There’s a new No. 1 and three new teams in the Tennessean’s Nashville area Small Class boys rankings after last week’s TSSAA basketball playoffs action.

The Small Class list consists of Class 1A, 2A and Division II-A schools. Results were compiled from games between Feb. 12-17.

1. Providence Christian Academy (25-4) — The Lions picked up three good wins, defeating Ezell-Harding, Goodpasture and Webb School - Bell Buckle en route to the Division II-A Middle Region championship. Judson Bjornstad 12 points and Tryce Grensing and Preston Wade each had 10 in the finals against Webb. Last week: No. 3.

2. Whites Creek (20-5) — The Cobras claimed their 20th win by defeating Stratford 69-23 in the District 7-2A semifinals. Next comes a third rematch with East Nashville in Tuesday’s championship. Whites Creek won both previous games. Last week: No. 4.

3. Webb School - Bell Buckle (19-12) — The Feet were one of the big movers after reaching the Division II-A Middle Region finals, losing to No. 1 PCA 48-40. Webb upset previous No. 1 Columbia Academy, 66-58, in the semifinals. Jedidiah Jarrett scored 15 points and Jax Howard added 15 in that game. Last week: No. 7. 

4. Columbia Academy (25-5) — The Bulldogs should still be a tough out in the state tournament even after slipping up against Webb. They bounced back with a 90-86 win against Goodpasture behind Jeremy Jackson Jr.’s 30 points. Last week: No. 1. 

5. Goodpasture (25-6) — The Cougars must bounce back after losing two in a row to PCA and Columbia Academy. Now they have to play at Boyd-Buchanan in Wednesday’s DII-A state tournament first round. Last week: No. 3. 

More: 2024 TSSAA basketball Division II first two rounds state tournament brackets, scores

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6. Summertown (21-9) — The Eagles defeated No. 10 Mt. Pleasant 71-58 behind Lleyton Sherman’s 20 points to reach the District 10-2A tournament finals. Summertown defeated Loretto 57-52 for the championship. Last week: Not ranked.

7. East Nashville (13-7) — The Eagles’ only in-state losses are to Whites Creek and Large Class teams. They could get hot at the right time. First they must get over the hump against Whites Creek in the District 7-2A championship after two previous losses to the Cobras. Last week: Not ranked. 

8. York Institute (18-7) — The Dragons have won eight consecutive games and nine of their last 10. Their only losses this season are to Large Class teams. Last week: Not ranked. 

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9. Friendship Christian (18-9) — Until further notice, the Commanders deserve a spot in the rankings after a good season ended with losses to Webb and Goodpasture in a tough DII-A Middle Region tournament. Last week: No. 6. 

10. Ezell-Harding (20-10) — The Eagles are in the same boat as FCS. The season ended with losses against Goodpasture and PCA in the DII-A Middle Region tournament but Ezell-Harding put together a good year.  Last week: No. 7. 

Reach sports writer Tyler Palmateer at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, formerly Twitter, @tpalmateer83.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TSSAA basketball playoffs: Nashville area Small Class boys rankings with PCA No. 1