10 Opening Round Regional Games To Watch (Part 2)

The best part of the high school basketball season is upon us, the playoff regional round.

With all nine classes playing regional games (1A-4A – region semifinals, 5A-9A – region quarterfinals) there will be 112 matchups on Thursday night (all at 7 p.m. ET).

Here is a look at the second part of 10 of my favorite games to watch.

ICYMI: Part 1

Class 9A

Western at Deerfield Beach

2019 guards Damari Monsanto and Lavar Miller are the leaders for Western, who fell to Cypress Bay in its district final.  Deerfield Beach beat Stoneman Douglas 74-71 to move forward and win its district. The Bucks have 2019 duo Jayson Salley and Victor Robinson scoring at a high clip.

Coral Gables at Killian

Killian knocked off Palmetto in the district final 74-71 behind 2020 guard Nicolas Louis-Jacques and 2019 guard Shawn Nelson. Coral Gables lost to a very good South Miami program in its district final. 2019 pair Nathaniel Walker and George Becerril are the best pieces for the Cavaliers.

Class 8A

Ocoee at Melbourne

Ocoee fell to Windermere in the district championship while Melbourne outlasted Hagerty 49-47. Melbourne has 2019 forward Max Fielder (Rice signee) and 2019 guard Chris Roth playing well. Ocoee 2020 trio David Green, Sadeem Blake and big man Alston Andrews doing damage. This will be a fun one.

Class 7A

Dillard at Okeechobee 

Dillard lost to Boyd Anderson in the district championship while Okeechobee took down Jensen Beach 44-40 in the district final. Okeechobee has 2019 trio Jemal Davis (Warner signee), J-Quan Ferroll and Kimani Mcintosh show up consistently. 2019 guard Deshawn Bartley and 2020 duo Darryl Burrows and Jalen Haynes are the leaders.

Port Charlotte at Clearwater

Port Charlotte fell to rival Charlotte in the district final ending its perfect 24-0 record. 2019 guard Shemar Fleurissant and Brandon Gainey leading the way. Clearwater is fresh off a district championship against Boca Ciega. 2019 guards Nirobi Peeler and Gilbert Mendez and 2020 guard Max Jones to get it going.

Class 6A

Titusville at Poinciana

Poinciana came away with the district beating Eustis. 2019 starters Reggie Mesidor and Anthony Duncan and 2022 forward Jahsean Corbett leading the way. Titusville lost to Rockledge, but have 2020 guard Blake Reid (Titusville), 2020 forward Davonte Dublin (Titusville) and 2019 forward Jalen Means (Titusville).

Class 5A

Tampa Catholic at Community School of Naples

Year after year, Tampa Catholic and Community School of Naples matchup in the playoffs. The two will play again on Thursday night in Naples. Tampa Catholic lost to Berkeley Prep in the district final and have 2020 starters Kobe Knox, Marcellus Crutchfield and Johni Broome. CSN has 2019 guards Jacob Siegel and Parker Weiss. The Seahawks beat LaBelle to win the district.

Pensacola Catholic at Florida State High

The home side is coached by former FSU star football player Charlie Ward.  2022 duo Tre Donaldson and Jaylen Martin and 2021 forward Makai Willis at the forefront. FSU High beat Marianna to win the district title. Pensacola Catholic lost 43-41 in its district title to Walton on a buzzer beater. 2019 guard DJ McKenzie is the leader of this group.

Class 4A

Santa Fe Catholic at Seffner Christian

Seffner Christian welcomes Santa Fe Catholic to town after 2021 guards Mike Trigg and Willie Jones carried its team to a district championship. Santa Fe Catholic has 2020 trio Joe Stubbs, Javon Bell and Ray Davis at the forefront. These two teams have lots of athletes and they should match up well.

Tampa Prep at Oviedo Master’s

A rematch from last year, Tampa Prep and Master’s met in Oviedo. Master’s won 72-56 in the region semifinal before losing to Westminster in the state championship. Tampa Prep lost in double overtime to Seffner Christian in its district final. Master’s beat Santa Fe Catholic and will now host behind 2019 guard Blaize Darling and 2020 guard Corey Sawyer Jr. Tampa Prep has 2019 guard Jaren Phillips and 2020 guard Gabriel Sharp.