PALM BEACH COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL: WEEK 3 STANDINGS — THE RACE IS HEATING UP!
PALM BEACH COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL: WEEK 3 STANDINGS — THE RACE IS HEATING UP!
By Ricardo Bureau | Rangeman Films
October 20, 2026
Palm Beach County middle school basketball is getting interesting, and we’re only three weeks into the season.
Some teams are starting to separate themselves from the pack. Others are finding their rhythm, and a few divisions are shaping up to have some pretty exciting finishes.
One thing is certain: there’s a lot more basketball talent in Palm Beach County than people realize.
Over the past three weeks, Rangeman Films has been inside gyms across the county covering games, watching young athletes compete, and getting a firsthand look at programs that don’t always receive the attention they deserve.
And I’ll tell you something. These kids can play.
With six divisions and both boys’ and girls’ teams competing, there’s plenty to talk about as we look at the Week 3 standings.
The standings below reflect games reported through October 16, 2026.
BOYS BASKETBALL: UNBEATEN TEAMS SETTING THE PACE
Four boys’ teams have made it through the first three weeks without a loss: Independence, Roosevelt, Western Pines, and Don Estridge.
But being undefeated doesn’t necessarily mean the road ahead will be easy.
NORTH DIVISION: INDEPENDENCE IS MAKING A STATEMENT
Independence Middle School is sitting at 8-0, and that’s certainly getting people’s attention.
Duncan is 6-2, while Conniston sits at 5-3. Both programs have put together solid starts, but Independence has established itself as the team everyone is chasing.
What’s going to be interesting is whether Independence can maintain that consistency as the season moves forward.
A perfect record looks good on paper, but every opponent wants to be the team that hands you your first loss.
North Division Standings:
Independence: 8-0
Duncan: 6-2
Conniston: 5-3
Jupiter: 2-5
Howell Watkins: 2-6
BAK: 0-7
NORTH-CENTRAL DIVISION: ROOSEVELT IS STILL PERFECT
If you’ve been following our coverage, you already know the North-Central Division has provided some entertaining basketball.
Roosevelt remains undefeated at 8-0, but Jeaga and Somerset Canyons are both sitting at 6-2.
That makes this division one worth watching.
Roosevelt has been getting the job done, but Jeaga has shown it can compete, and Somerset Canyons has quietly put together a strong season.
The biggest question now is whether anyone can knock Roosevelt off before the postseason.
North-Central Division Standings:
Roosevelt: 8-0
Jeaga: 6-2
Somerset Canyons: 6-2
J.F.K.: 2-5
Conservatory School: 1-7
Bear Lakes: 0-7
WEST DIVISION: WESTERN PINES HASN’T BLINKED
Western Pines is sitting at 8-0, making it one of only four undefeated boys’ teams in the county.
Wellington Landings isn’t far behind at 7-1.
And that’s what makes this division so interesting.
Western Pines has been perfect, but Wellington Landings is right there. Polo Park, at 5-3, has also shown it can compete.
The race for the top spot is far from settled.
West Division Standings:
Western Pines: 8-0
Wellington Landings: 7-1
Polo Park: 5-3
Lake Shore: 3-5
Crestwood: 1-6
Osceola Creek: 0-8
EAST DIVISION: PALM SPRINGS LEADING THE WAY
Palm Springs has put together an impressive 7-0 start.
Congress and Lake Worth are both 5-3, keeping themselves in the conversation.
Palm Springs has clearly established itself as the team to beat, but with games still remaining, there’s plenty of opportunity for the standings to change.
East Division Standings:
Palm Springs: 7-0
Congress: 5-3
Lake Worth: 5-3
L.C. Swain: 3-4
Okeeheelee: 2-6
Lantana: 1-7
SOUTH-CENTRAL DIVISION: WEST BOYNTON IS ROLLING
Nine games. Nine wins.
West Boynton has the best record among the boys’ teams listed in our Week 3 standings.
At 9-0, they’ve put themselves in an excellent position heading into the next stretch of the season.
Emerald Cove is sitting at 6-2, while Tradewinds has picked up four victories.
West Boynton deserves credit for what it’s accomplished so far, but staying undefeated becomes more difficult as the season progresses.
South-Central Division Standings:
West Boynton: 9-0
Emerald Cove: 6-2
Tradewinds: 4-5
Woodlands: 3-5
Christa McAuliffe: 2-6
Village Academy: 2-6
SOUTH DIVISION: DON ESTRIDGE LOOKING STRONG
Don Estridge has been one of the most impressive programs in the South Division.
The boys are 8-0, with Omni sitting at 6-2 and Logger’s Run at 5-3.
Those are three programs worth keeping an eye on as the season continues.
Don Estridge has established itself as the frontrunner, but Omni and Logger’s Run still have an opportunity to make things interesting.
South Division Standings:
Don Estridge: 8-0
Omni: 6-2
Logger’s Run: 5-3
Eagles Landing: 4-4
Boca Raton: 1-7
Carver: 0-8
GIRLS BASKETBALL: SOME SERIOUS TALENT ACROSS THE COUNTY
I want to spend some time talking about the girls because we’ve seen some outstanding basketball on that side as well.
There’s a lot of talent throughout Palm Beach County, and some of these young ladies are already showing skills that will translate well when they reach the high school level.
What stands out to me isn’t just the scoring.
It’s the way some of these girls handle the basketball, see the floor, compete defensively, and understand the game.
And when you look at the standings, several programs are putting together impressive seasons.
NORTH DIVISION: A THREE-TEAM RACE
This might be one of the most competitive divisions in girls’ basketball.
Duncan, Conniston, and Independence are all sitting at 6-2.
That’s three programs tied at the top with very little separating them.
Jupiter is at 4-4, meaning there’s still plenty of basketball left to play before anyone can comfortably claim this division.
North Division Standings:
Duncan: 6-2
Conniston: 6-2
Independence: 6-2
Jupiter: 4-4
Howell Watkins: 2-6
BAK: 1-7
NORTH-CENTRAL DIVISION: JEAGA OUT FRONT
Jeaga leads the division at 7-1.
J.F.K. follows at 5-3, while Somerset Canyons is sitting at 4-4.
Jeaga has put itself in a strong position, but this is another division where the remaining games will matter.
North-Central Division Standings:
Jeaga: 7-1
J.F.K.: 5-3
Somerset Canyons: 4-4
Conservatory School: 2-6
Bear Lakes: 2-6
WEST DIVISION: WESTERN PINES LEADS A COMPETITIVE GROUP
Western Pines has been impressive at 7-1.
Wellington Landings is right behind at 6-2, while Lake Shore sits at 5-3.
Three teams with winning records at the top of the division should make for an entertaining finish.
West Division Standings:
Western Pines: 7-1
Wellington Landings: 6-2
Lake Shore: 5-3
Crestwood: 3-5
Osceola Creek: 2-6
EAST DIVISION: CONGRESS HOLDS THE TOP SPOT
Congress is leading the East Division with a 7-1 record.
Palm Springs and Lantana are both 6-2.
That’s another division where the race is far from over.
One or two results could make a big difference in how these teams finish.
East Division Standings:
Congress: 7-1
Palm Springs: 6-2
Lantana: 6-2
Lake Worth: 4-4
L.C. Swain: 2-6
Okeeheelee: 1-7
SOUTH-CENTRAL DIVISION: EMERALD COVE IS UNDEFEATED
Emerald Cove is putting together an outstanding season.
At 9-0, the girls have yet to lose a game.
Woodlands is 6-2, and West Boynton is 5-3.
Emerald Cove has certainly earned its place among the county’s top-performing teams through three weeks.
South-Central Division Standings:
Emerald Cove: 9-0
Woodlands: 6-2
West Boynton: 5-3
Christa McAuliffe: 3-5
Tradewinds: 2-6
Village Academy: 1-7
SOUTH DIVISION: DON ESTRIDGE STILL UNBEATEN
The Don Estridge girls are 8-0.
And when you consider that the boys are also 8-0, that’s a pretty impressive start for the school’s basketball program.
Eagles Landing is 6-2, while Omni is 5-3.
Don Estridge has set the pace, but the division still has some competitive teams looking to make a move.
South Division Standings:
Don Estridge: 8-0
Eagles Landing: 6-2
Omni: 5-3
Logger’s Run: 4-4
Boca Raton: 2-6
Carver: 1-7
MORE THAN JUST WINS AND LOSSES
One thing I don’t want people to overlook when looking at these standings is the development taking place throughout these programs.
It’s easy to focus on undefeated teams and division leaders.
But there are talented players on teams that aren’t sitting at the top of the standings.
We’ve seen kids on struggling teams who can flat-out play basketball.
And that’s one of the biggest reasons Rangeman Films continues to cover middle school sports.
These athletes deserve to be seen regardless of their team’s record.
For some of them, this is their first opportunity to have their basketball ability showcased to an audience outside their school gym.
For others, it’s an opportunity to start building recognition before entering high school.
And for high school coaches, this coverage provides another way to see the talent developing at the middle school level.
That’s important.
Because sometimes the next outstanding high school player is already competing in a middle school gym, and most people just haven’t heard of them yet.
THE FINAL STRETCH SHOULD BE INTERESTING
With three weeks in the books, we’re starting to get a clearer picture of which programs are legitimate contenders.
But I wouldn’t hand out any division titles just yet.
There are still games to be played, rivalries to settle, and plenty of opportunities for teams to move up in the standings.
And as we’ve seen throughout the years, anything can happen when you put two competitive middle school teams on the same basketball court.
Rangeman Films will continue bringing attention to these young athletes through our free sideline game coverage.
Although we don’t charge for that general coverage, we do pay our staff to attend games, capture the action, and produce the content you see on our platforms.
It’s an investment we’re proud to make because we believe in what these young athletes are doing.
To the players, coaches, athletic directors, school administrators, and parents who have welcomed Rangeman Films into their gyms, thank you.
And to our media staff who continue putting in the work, I appreciate you.
We’re three weeks in, and there’s still plenty of basketball left.
We’ll see you in the gym.
Ricardo Bureau
Owner/Director
Rangeman Films
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