A preview of the Class 5A region semifinal round
The regional round continues on Tuesday with 56 games. Eight games will be played in Class 5A for the region semifinal. Here is a look at the region semifinal slate for Tuesday night. Region 1 Pensacola Catholic at Marianna Seniors…
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Continue ReadingThe regional round continues on Tuesday with 56 games. Eight games will be played in Class 5A for the region semifinal.
Here is a look at the region semifinal slate for Tuesday night.
Region 1
Pensacola Catholic at Marianna
Seniors Penda Wiggins, Z’Khari Blocker and Trace Halstead are mainstays for Pensacola Catholic (23-5). Wiggins scored 23 points in last week’s region quarterfinal win over Taylor County. These two teams met in the 2013-14 region semifinal as Pensacola Catholic came out in front 60-54. Sophomore Stephon McMillian is the top piece for Marianna (22-3).
Raines at Bradford
For Raines, this is the school’s first regional appearance since 2012-13 when the Vikings made it to the region final. The Vikings (19-9) are led by senior Darius McCorker and juniors Trevon Laidler and Josh Battle. Bradford is in the regional round for the second straight year and looking to advance to its first region final since 2010-11. The Tornadoes (13-14) are led by sophomores Jordan Lee and Jimtaz Curry and junior Chris Cummings.
Region 4
Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian at NSU University School
Seniors Jerald Butler, Victor Uyaelunmo and Rasheem Etienne and junior Solomon Uyaelunmo are all averaging over 10 or more points per game for Calvary Christian (20-6). It won’t be an easy matchup playing on the road against a University (20-6) program that have lengthy sophomores Vernon Carey and Balsa Koprivica, junior Jeremiah Saunders and senior Michael Moore playing sound basketball.
Mater Lakes at Gulliver Prep
Jamal Mashburn Jr. is only a freshman but he’s made a huge impact for Gulliver Prep (18-10) averaging 22.7 PPG. The Raiders also have talented 2020 prospects Tony Sanders and Diego Lamonica. Senior Barry Robinson II is the veteran leader. Gulliver Prep will host a Mater Lakes program that is 20-6 and fresh off its first ever regional round win. Seniors Cyrus Largie, Jurik Morales and Donovan Alvarez are the core for the Bears.
Region 2
Villages at Windermere Prep
Windermere Prep captured the 3A state title last season and now the Lakers (19-9) are back making things happen two classes higher. Memphis commit David Nickelberry, senior Xion Golding and juniors Shaquan Jules and Rahsaan Lewis are steady contributors. It won’t be an easy task for Windermere Prep against a Villages team that is 28-2 and fresh off an upset win over Master’s Academy in the region quarterfinal.
Holy Trinity at Melbourne Central Catholic
This is a rematch of last year’s region semifinal in which Holy Trinity slid past Melbourne Central Catholic 70-68. The Tigers (21-6) eventually advanced to the state final before losing to Bolles. Senior Cory Kaplan, juniors Brandon Schwab and Jashaun Corbin and sophomore Seth Coleman are a fine duo for Holy Trinity. Melbourne Central Catholic (27-2) is led by seniors Levi Wilson and Branden Hall and junior Nick Alves.
Region 3
Tampa Catholic at Naples Community School
All the hype in this game will be the matchup between top-ranked senior Kevin Knox and Penn State commit Trent Buttrick. Knox has Tampa Catholic (22-5) in contention once again after losing in the state final four last season. Junior guards Tai Strickland and Tim Carter and freshman forward Alijah Harrison are good contributors. Brothers Cooper Weiss and Parker Weiss are a good mix for Community School (23-5).
Cardinal Newman at Oxbridge
This is a rematch of last year’s region semifinal that Oxbridge won 57-46. Junior Ronique Spencer and sophomore Dante Wilcox are main pieces for Oxbridge (16-7). Cardinal Newman is led by seniors K.J. Fitzgerald and Ryan Cunningham and sophomore Emmanuel Onuama. This will be a fun one to watch.
Photo credit: Orange Observer