A preview of the Class 7A region semifinal round
The regional round continues on Tuesday with 56 games. Eight games will be played in Class 7A for the region semifinal. Here is a look at the region semifinal slate for Tuesday night. Region 1 Choctawhatchee at Crestview What…
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Continue ReadingThe regional round continues on Tuesday with 56 games. Eight games will be played in Class 7A for the region semifinal.
Here is a look at the region semifinal slate for Tuesday night.
Region 1
Choctawhatchee at Crestview
What a coincidence. Both squads are coming off a 53-51 victory in the regional quarterfinals. Choctawhatchee (25-2) edged Pensacola, while Crestview (22-5) knocked off Booker T. Washington, last Thursday. Star sophomores Diante Smith & Joshua Williams will look to keep their double-digit scoring averages up for the Indians. Crestview senior Rusty Moorer will come ready to compete, averaging 20.2 PPG for the Bulldogs.
Gainesville at Ocala-Vanguard
The fourth time’s a charm. Vanguard (22-6) is 2-1 against Gainesville (25-3) this season, alone. The latest win came by seven points in the 7A-4 district championship, hosted in Gainesville’s “Purple Palace, no less. This time, Vanguard is the host. Seniors Quez Clayton and Tae Bynes will look to strike early for Vanguard, while ‘Canes junior scorer Christian Miller-Cardwell and senior Isaiah Wilson will attempt to put the pressure on the Knights, early. Last note, Gainesville was one of two out of 16 teams to win on the road last week in the regional quarterfinals.
Region 4
Sebastian River at Dillard
Here’s two teams who are completely opposite in their paths to this game. Dillard (24-4) is coming off a slightly-convincing 70-27 win against Okeechobee in last Thursday’s quarterfinal. Sebastian River (11-9) has had two-straight, two-point wins in these playoffs. River is the home team, but can they stop Dillard’s 6’8” Florida State-commit Raiquan Gray from silencing the crowd? Or what about their 6’5” senior guard Jordan Wright? We’ll see.
Miami-Norland at Miami-Doral
Neither of these teams lost a district game all year. Norland (21-6) will travel to Doral (26-4) after coming off a 22-point quarterfinal win over Belen Jesuit, last Thursday. Doral beat Carol City by 13 to advance to the semis. Doral is also 11-0 at home this year, partly due to the help of senior Yosnier Cobas who is averaging a team-leading 13.5 PPG & 7.6 RPG. His teammate Kenneth Santos is right under him, averaging 13.0 PPG. Norland has a different “Kennith” putting up numbers. Vikings senior Kennith Rolle (13.4 PPG) won’t lay down with stakes this high.
Region 2
Deltona at Orlando-Edgewater
Edgewater (20-8) hasn’t lost since January 21. The Deltona Wolves (16-10) are riding a six-game win streak going into the regional semis after a 16-point quarterfinal win against Atlantic. They have a shot to cause the Fightin’ Eagles’ first loss in exactly one month. Edgewater junior guard Anfernee Simons and his 25.1 PPG average will have a lot to say about that. Although, Deltona sophomore Blake Hinson is putting up 27.6 PPG. Should be a fun one.
Tampa-Hillsborough at New Port Richey-Mitchell
Hillsborough (25-3) hasn’t lost since Dec. 20th’s six-point defeat against Tampa Catholic. Mitchell (21-7) won their district title and quarterfinal match by a combined eight points. The Terriers may be traveling to see a team who’s squeaking by. With four players averaging between 8-11 points a game, it may be tough for the Mustangs to stop their balance. But on Mitchell’s side, they have three double-digit scorers ready to fire in Alec Sherman, J.P. Watt and Jimmy Eannel. They might see it differently.
Region 3
Largo at Port Charlotte
The Pirates of P.C. (23-3) won their district crown and quarterfinal game by the exact same score, 52-46. Largo (18-7) put up 60 points each in their last two games. There’s consistency amongst both squads, but one will have to get the other out-of-sorts to come away with a win. Pirates senior Sean Price is averaging nearly a double-double on the year, notching 23.0 PPG and 9.9 RPG. The Packers will have to play the best team-ball to date in order to catch a win.
Lehigh Acres at Naples
Both teams come in with nine losses, not looking to endure the tenth. The Lehigh Lightning (19-9) are coming off a two-point win against Golden Gate in the quarterfinal, while the Golden Eagles (18-9) handled Fort Myers by 14 in theirs. Naples has two double-digit scorers in junior Sevin Brown (13.9 PPG) and Terrence Dejohn (11.4 PPG). Lehigh is sporting a three-headed monster in senior Jarvis Martin (14.5 PPG), senior Malik Martin (11.0 PPG) and junior Bershard Edwards (10.2 PPG).