Class 9A State Tournament Preview
The FHSAA boys basketball state tournament starts on Monday and Class 9A action will take place on Friday at 6 p.m. ET. After a long season and hard work, we are down to four teams, two matchups in 9A. Here…
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Continue ReadingThe FHSAA boys basketball state tournament starts on Monday and Class 9A action will take place on Friday at 6 p.m. ET.
After a long season and hard work, we are down to four teams, two matchups in 9A.
Here is a look at the two state semifinals with a schedule, times and a predicted champion.
ICYMI:
Class 1A State Tournament Preview
Class 2A State Tournament Preview
Class 3A State Tournament Preview
Class 4A State Tournament Preview
Class 5A-6A State Tournament Preview
Class 7A-8A State Tournament Preview
Class 9A
State Semifinal, 6 p.m., Friday – Evans vs. Wellington
Evans is back in the state tournament for the first time since 2014 when it lost to Winter Park 56-54 in overtime in the state championship. The Trojans (23-7) beat Seminole 80-76 to go to Lakeland. 2019 forward Dontaye Adderly and 2019 guards Ernest Cox and Andrew Marseille have been steady for Evans all season long. As for Wellington (24-6), the Wolverines are in the state Final Four for the third consecutive season searching for its second championship in program history (2015 – lone title). After losing to Oak Ridge in the state championship a season ago, Wellington features 2019 guard Linton Brown and 2020 guards Leonty Frazier and De’ante Perez leading the charge. Perez hit the game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer to beat Cypress Bay 40-37 on Friday night.
State Semifinal, 8 p.m., Friday – Osceola vs. South Miami
South Miami fell in the region final a year ago to Miramar after two straight state semifinal appearances in 2016 and 2017. The Cobras (25-5) have played in three state championship games in history going 0-3 all-time. After a 62-53 victory over North Miami in the region final, 2019 Barry signee Toru Dean, 2019 forward Lee Flenor and 2021 guard Arturo Dean are looking to make a run for South Miami. Osceola (24-7) is fresh off a 47-39 home region final win over Oak Ridge. The Kowboys lost last season as Oak Ridge took the state title and the reverse happened the year prior. So if the pattern follows, Osceola is in for some good luck. 2019 Bethune Cookman signee Josh Marte, 2019 guard Isaiah Palermo and 2019 guard Jaduhkiss Soto are steady. 2019 UF football signee Diwun Black has been a pleasant addition to the Kowboys inside game as he was cleared to play basketball in late January after sitting out the football season due to a transfer from Mississippi Forest.
Predicted state champion
Osceola
The Kowboys have played a beyond tough schedule in numerous big tournaments. Osceola has senior leadership, toughness, kids who attack at will and a really sound defense. Palermo and Marte work well together as interchangeable point guards who create on their own. Soto is a gifted shooter and Black is a huge addition and one that will help win the rebound battle and attacks on the glass with his athleticism and jumping ability. Osceola won the state title in 2017 and 1983 and No. 3 could be right there in its sights even with the transfer of 2019 UF signee Omar Payne to Montverde.