A preview of the Class 8A region semifinal round

The regional round continues on Tuesday with 56 games. Eight games will be played in Class 8A for the region semifinal. Here is a look at the region semifinal slate for Tuesday night. <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Region 1</strong></span></em> <strong>Niceville at Lincoln</strong> Seniors Trey Diggs, Kameron Parker and junior Juanyeh Thomas are a very skilled trio for Niceville (20-6). Lincoln (21-3) advanced the state semifinals last season before losing to St. Pete. The Trojans roster consists of 15 upperclassmen including eight seniors. The key cogs are seniors Dwight Wilson and Evan Samuels and junior Trinton Bryant. <strong>Robert E. Lee at Creekside</strong> This is Creekside's third straight regional appearance and Lee's first since 2009-10. The Knights (25-3) are led by juniors J'Michael Plummer, Caleb Townsend and Deniro Dumas. Lee (14-10) has seniors Sadarious Aaron, Bernard Thomas and Samuel Ricks putting up points on a nightly basis. This is perhaps the most intriguing matchup considering what Lee has done to get to the postseason. <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Region 4</strong></span></em> <strong>Palm Beach Lakes at Blanche Ely</strong> This is another game that will likely be close for most of the night. Palm Beach Lakes (22-3) has seniors Lavorris Givens and Tyrese Mapp and junior Ty Hands at the forefront. Blanche Ely (25-6) are searching for its third consecutive state title. The Tigers seniors Geremy Taylor, William Maloney and Nicholas Stampley are the core along with junior Michael Forrest. <strong>McArthur at Nova</strong> Nova is 2-1 against rival McArthur this season. The lone loss came on the Titans' home floor. Nova (20-7) beat McArthur in the District 15 Final last two weeks ago. Nova seniors Nate Griffin, Shemar Bennett and Deontae Thompson all average 10 or more points per game. For McArthur (19-14), seniors Ralph Bissainthe, Kheron Millwood and Jamari Belvin also average 10 or more points per game. <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Region 2</strong></span></em> <strong>Hagerty at Melbourne</strong> Melbourne (23-5) just beat Hagerty in the District 4 Final. This will be the third matchup between the two rivals, but the first on Melbourne's home floor. Senior Jayden Jackson is the player to watch for the Bulldogs while juniors Aiden Quiles and Joe Conley are reliable starters for Hagerty (18-11). <strong>Bartow at Sickles</strong> These two teams met in the region quarterfinal round a year ago. Bartow advanced to the region final but lost and now the tables are turned so to speak with Sickles being the more dominant squad. The Gryphons (25-4) have a nice mix with seniors Marcus Cohen and Bryce Beamer and junior Bryce Workman. Seniors Tim Jordan and T.J. Harvin run the show for Bartow (19-9). <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Region 3</strong></span></em> <strong>Tampa Bay Tech at St. Pete</strong> This is a doozy of a game. Tampa Bay Tech is a perfect 23-0 and No. 1 in 8A while St. Pete is red hot with senior Darius Banks back in the lineup. The last loss for the Green Devils (16-9) came on Jan. 21 against national powerhouse Oak Hill (Va.). Banks along with junior Serrel Smith and senior A.J. Ford, are a dangerous trio for St. Pete. Tampa Bay Tech has a three-headed monster of its own in juniors Tyrick Brascom, Tyrese Williams and Michael Penix Jr. <strong>Palmetto at Lakewood Ranch</strong> Tuesday night's region semifinal matchup marks the fourth meeting between Palmetto and Lakewood Ranch. The Mustangs (25-2) have dominated Palmetto in three wins (83-61, 73-48, 79-55). The most recent victory for Lakewood Ranch against the Tigers came in the district final. Senior Sam Hester and junior Damien Gordon are very skilled players for the Mustangs while juniors Jermaine Graham and Kenny Brown lead the way for Palmetto (13-9). <em>Photo credit:</em> Suncoast Sports Now