With a month left of winter sports action, area programs are beginning to separate from the pack.

As the action on the courts and the pitches around the Big Bend rolls on, the top teams in the area are eyeing the playoffs and potential title runs. With district play still weeks away, teams are trying to get in a position to end the season on top.

With that said, let's dive into the first power rankings of 2024.

Schedules, stats, records and names are taken from Maxpreps.com

Basketball Rankings

Boys

1. Rickards (10-4)

The Raiders rank as top dogs in the power rankings, posting a 10-4 record and navigating one of the most challenging schedules in the area. Led by Randall Pompey (14.8 points per game), Calvin Thomas (10.9 points per game) and Benjamin Plummer (10.5 points per game), Rickards is rolling ahead of a busy finish to the regular season.

2. Florida High (10-7)

The Seminoles sit second in the rankings, holding a 10-7 record as Florida High has played some of the top teams in the state and outside of Florida. Led by Dakota Morris (13.8 points per game) and Terrell Baker (9.8 points per game), Florida High hasn't lost a game against an area program to this point of the season.

3. Lincoln (11-2)

The Trojans are one of the hottest teams in the area and have won eight straight games as the program continues to improve in the second year under head coach Andy Colville. Led by the play of Jaevien Ervin (13 points per game) and Malakhi Lowe (8.4 points per game), Lincoln is in red-hot form as it enters the final portion of the season and gets into district play.

4. Munroe (10-5)

The Bobcats have one of the most competitive teams in the area and despite a three-game losing streak, it still remains one of the Big Bend's best. The top scoring duo of Karlton Knight (14.8 points per game) and Zy Reese (12.3 points per game) have led Munroe this season and are going to be two of the biggest contributors heading into the final stretch of the year.

5. Godby (7-4)

The Cougars round out the top five and under first-year head coach Alex Williams the team has navigated a challenging schedule and put itself in a good spot ahead of district play. Godby has been getting production from Mekhi Butler (13.6 points per game) and Jaden Staten (12.8 points per game), and the duo will be crucial for the remainder of the season.

Girls

1. Rickards (11-4)

The Raiders claim top spots in both boys and girls rankings, and the team has played one of the toughest schedules in the Big Bend and has managed it nearly flawlessly. Genesis Henry has been the star for Rickards this season, leading the team in scoring with 14.1 points per game and rebounding with five per game, making her the key for a potential deep playoff run.

2. Madison County (9-3)

The Cowboys rank second in the power rankings and have been one of the top teams across the area and in the 1A classification. Led by star senior Janiyah Mcknight, who averages 25.3 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game and 5.1 steals per game, Mcknight will be the key for Madison County as it looks set to be a factor in the state title conversation.

3. Godby (10-4)

It's been a great year for the Cougars, who are one of the area's most complete teams despite being one of the younger teams in the Big Bend. Led by sophomore Kenijah Clayton (10.5 points per game) and senior Mar’nazha Houston (7.7 points per game) Godby is looking like one of the top teams in the area ahead of the final stretch of the season.

4. Lincoln (10-3)

The Trojans are one of the most balanced teams in the area and are making waves throughout the Big Bend with some impressive play on the hardwood this year. Led by the duo of Jamia Brown (13.4 points per game) and Jamiya Brown (12.3 points per game), Lincoln has one of the best one-two punches in the Big Bend, and the pair will be important for a run deep into the postseason.

5. Florida High (7-9)

It hasn't been the season that the Seminoles would have wanted so far, but the team still remains one of the top in the area as it plays through one of the hardest schedules in the area. Led by Micah Evora (13.6 points per game) and Emilie Roberston (10.9 points per game), the Seminoles are still one of the more competitive teams in the Big Bend entering the final stretch of play.

Soccer Rankings

Boys

1. Chiles (7-3-1)

The Timberwolves sit atop the power rankings as it has been one of the most dominant teams in the area this season, beating all but one area team, drawing with Wakulla 2-2. Led by Caleb Gaines and Isaac Mayer, Chiles has a balanced attack that can compete with some of the top defenses in the state.

2. Maclay (9-1-2)

The Marauders come in ranked second in the power rankings and are one of the Big Bend's most complete programs. Led by superstar junior Zac Scovotto, who has scored 15 goals and recorded nine assists, Maclay has a chance to make some major noise as it nears postseason play.

3. Leon (9-6)

The Lions come in ranked third and have been one of the stories of the season with the team's turnaround from last season's 8-10-4 finish. Led by the duo of Gideon Sheets and Donovan Shumate, Leon has a balanced midfield that can create goal-scoring opportunities and control the flow of games, making them a potential team to keep an eye on in the postseason.

4. Florida High (5-4-2)

The Seminoles round out the top four of the rankings, coming in with a 5-4-2 record as it enters the backend of its schedule. One of the top scoring teams in the area, Florida High has scored a goal in all but three games it has played in this season.

Girls

1. Chiles (9-1-1)

The Timberwolves take the top spot in the rankings as the team is one of the most competitive in the state. Led by free-scoring sophomore forward Kyra Swart, who has 13 goals and eight assists this season, Chiles is likely going to make a deep run into the postseason and could make some major noise.

2. Lincoln (8-3-1)

Right behind Chiles is the Trojans, who remain the only team to beat the top-ranked Timberwolves this season, winning 2-1 in December. Lincoln has scored 46 goals this season and is one of the area's top-scoring teams while also holding an elite defense, allowing just 10 goals this season.

3. Florida High (8-3)

The Seminoles come in ranked third in the rankings, and the team's young roster has navigated its schedule with relative ease this season. Led by junior Ivy Carlson, scoring 11 goals and assisting six, Florida High has one of the most dynamic attacks in the area, creating chances in different ways.

4. Wakulla (7-1)

The War Eagles round out the top four and come in as one of the top teams in the area with its 7-1 record. Led by the play of Helena Skipper (eight goals) and Rachaelei Porter (seven goals) Wakulla has the ability to go head-to-head with some of the area's best teams.

Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: The top Big Bend, Tallahassee high school area basketball, soccer teams