Class 7A Regional Final Preview
The Class 7A regional finals kick-off Friday night. Who will punch their Lakeland ticket? Region 1 Choctawhatchee at Ocala-Vanguard How they got here: Choctawhatchee beat Crestview, 59-53. Vanguard beat Gainesville, 76-62. Vanguard (23-6) is heading to their first Regional Final…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe Class 7A regional finals kick-off Friday night. Who will punch their Lakeland ticket?
Region 1
Choctawhatchee at Ocala-Vanguard
How they got here: Choctawhatchee beat Crestview, 59-53. Vanguard beat Gainesville, 76-62.
Vanguard (23-6) is heading to their first Regional Final since 1994. The nine active seniors, including leaders like Tae Bynes and Quez Clayton who scored 21 & 13 in the semifinal game, respectively, are looking to make their presence felt, early. Choctawhatchee (26-2) has a key man in sophomore Diante Smith, who notched 21 points in the win over Crestview. It is experience versus youth in this matchup.
Region 4
Dillard at Miami-Norland
How they got here: Norland beat Doral, 56-47. Dillard beat Sebastian River, 63-44.
Dillard (25-4) is marching towards their second-straight state title in great fashion. Seniors Jordan Wright, Robert Johnson and Raiquan Gray have been leading the charge and giving opposing defenses fits in every way. For Norland (22-6), this is a shot at redemption. Dillard offed Norland in last year’s regional final, 59-47. Look for senior Kennith Rolle (13.5 PPG) to give it his all in an attempt to make it to Lakeland.
Region 2
Edgewater at Hillsborough
How they got here: Hillsborough beat Mitchell, 37-34. Edgewater beat Deltona, 82-51
The Edgewater Fightin’ Eagles (21-8) are a complete turnaround compared to last year’s 12-14 season. Just a game away from Lakeland, their joy of a junior Anfernee Simons gave his team 30 points in the semifinal win on Tuesday. Freshman Michael Eads notched 21, while senior Frank Foreman scored 13. For Hillsborough (25-3), they are looking to avenge last year’s two-point regional final loss. Seniors Zach Carter and Bryce Moragne, who combine for an average of 23 points a game, will need to get it going early.
Region 3
Largo at Lehigh
How they got here: Lehigh beat Naples, 65-43. Largo beat Port Charlotte, 93-83.
The Lightning of Lehigh (20-9) did not make it past the regional quarterfinals, last year. This season, they have a shot to advance to Lakeland on their home-floor. Lehigh’s Jarvis Martin put up 25 points in the win. Quan Martin, Jarvis’ younger brother, notched 16. Largo (19-7) has a chip on their shoulder after losing by 11 points in the state championship game just one year ago. They are 7-1 on the road, this year. Will they play spoiler?