Class 7A-District 4 Tournament Preview
Gainesville High School earned the right to host the district tournament after going 23-2 on the year. But with an equally aggressive team such as Vanguard, a team hungry to reach the next level in Columbia and two lesser teams…
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Continue ReadingGainesville High School earned the right to host the district tournament after going 23-2 on the year. But with an equally aggressive team such as Vanguard, a team hungry to reach the next level in Columbia and two lesser teams who still don’t expect to lay down all in your way, no one can say the Hurricanes have the tournament championship sewed up.
5. Lake Weir: For the Hurricanes to pull out a win in this tourney, they’re going to have to pull out a complete 180-degree turn, in comparison to how they’ve been performing this whole year. Just one win this season, which came from their third game of the year on December 2, 2016 against Belleview on the road. Since then, Lake Weir has lost twenty straight. All of them haven’t been by less than 13 points. Their only saving grace is that they’ve proven they can win one OUTSIDE of their home gym. Will Gainesville High’s gym be the spot of win number two against Ocala-Forest tonight at 7 pm?
4. Forest: Forest is a team that doesn’t necessarily blow you away, but they’re definitely one that you don’t want to write off as a win. I’ve only seen them once this year against Columbia High in Lake City. I could tell that they relied heavily on penetrating the paint and crashing the offensive glass to get their points. Wasn’t particularly good from outside the three-point line, but if they can keep the muscle up, the Wildcats should have a good showing against Lake Weir in the play-in game.
3. Columbia: The Tigers out of Lake City, Florida went 4-4 in the district this year, yet it has no bearing on why I have them in the middle of the pack. They are a very quick team who will use the tandem of freshman guards Marquez Bell and reserve Jordan Smith—who are AAU teammates—to get to the bucket after missed shots. I’m expecting Columbia to want to push the pace against Vanguard, tomorrow night. It can be effective, if they remember two words: Ball. Control.
2. Vanguard: One of the more exciting teams to watch in the Gainesville-Ocala area, the Knights are riding a four game win streak into their matchup against Columbia, tomorrow. They’ve also gone 7-1 in the district with the lone loss coming at the hands of host-Gainesville on January 26. In early December, the Knights beat the Gainesville ‘Canes in overtime by seven. Freshman forward Leonard Manuel is a fire for Vanguard. They have great senior leadership in Quez Clayton. Devontae Bynes is another senior who can give you the three-ball. Vanguard is really a team that will give Columbia fits on Wednesday if they can jump ahead early.
1. Gainesville: The mighty ‘Canes stroll into their home gym for the tourney boasting a twenty game win streak since their loss against Spruce Creek in the Gulfshore Holiday Hoopfest on December 27. I’ve seen them play at least five times this year. In EVERY game, the constant thing you see from Gainesville is aggressive, stout defense. They aren’t a team that will amaze you with how tall they are. Their tallest guy is 6’10” sophomore Jeremiah Tisme, who comes off the bench, at that. But, when you talk about 6’1” senior Isaiah Wilson, 6’4” senior Kajion Scott or 5’11” sophomore J’Len Wilson, you have to mention how great they are at frustrating the opposing offense. Not to mention junior Christian Miller-Cardwell who’s their best scorer, by far. Look for them to go deep.