Friday Night Lights: 5 Games to Watch
There is approxiamately three weeks left in the regular season and 2018 has started full of surprise performances and great games. This is the time of year when good teams start to separate themselves, rotations get shortened, stars shine, and playoff hopes either excel or get dashed away. Also, coming off the holiday break the academic semester ends and a new semester means there could be additions or subtractions depending on how the kids fared in their schooling. Thus far it appears that the teams who started off hot have continued their trend of winning ways. Will it continue or will they fall? Who will be crowned district champion with the tourneys around the corner?
5 Games to watch
Clearwater (13-7) vs Largo (12-9)
The Largo Packers are at home in this contest but for this neighborhood rivalry that won’t matter. Stat wise the two teams are evenly matched. Amant Deliu leads Largo with 14.7 points and 3.7 assist while Nirobi Peeler leads Clearwater with 14.5 points.
Tampa Catholic (15-3) vs Berkeley Prep (14-5)
In the first meeting, Berkeley won 74-68. The Crusaders are a high scoring team that averages over 80 points while the Buccaneers only average a little more than 50. Two contrasting styles and it’ll sure be fun to watch this battle.
Carrollwood Day (15-2) vs Admiral Farragut (13-6)
At home in St. Pete, Admiral Farragut has been tough to beat and is undefeated. Malcolm Whitlow has been having an amazing season averaging 33.3 points, go for the game but stay for the show by Mr. Whitlow.
Lakeland (16-3) vs Kathleen (7-7)
In the City of Lakeland, every game is tough no matter the record. In the first contest between these two, the Dreadnaughts won 65-63. Luke Anderson is of the state’s top 2019 players and he has Lakeland headed towards a district title. Rod Boggan, Kathleen’s top scoring threat could have some say in the outcome.
Winter Haven (12-8) vs Bartow (11-9)
Winter Haven is looking to defeat the Yellow Jackets for the second time this season. the first matchup went down to the last seconds of the game with the Blue Devils winning 65-61. Bartow has been a staple for deep playoff runs and titles but this year looks to be a bit of a rebuilding year however the will compete and make this a fun game to watch.
All these matchups are district contests and will decide seating arrangements. With so much on the line, which players come to play? which team prevails? Which teams playoff hopes diminish?