Class 1A State Tournament Preview

<p>The FHSAA boys basketball state tournament starts on Monday with Class 1A action in the early afternoon.</p> <p>After a long season and hard work, we are down to four teams, two matchups.</p> <p><em>Here is a look at the two state semifinals with a schedule, times and a predicted champion.</em></p> <h2><strong>Paxton vs. Madison County (10 a.m. ET, Monday)</strong></h2> <p>After a 12-13 finish and sitting at home for the postseason a year ago, Paxton finds itself in the state Final Four. The Bobcats (28-1) won on the road at Graceville 57-51 to make it to Lakeland. Behind 2022 guard Latrell Sanders and 2020 duo Alonzo Wright and Connor Varnum, Paxton has the tools to succeed. It will be a tough task against a Madison Country group who lost by just two points to defending state champion Wildwood in last year's state semifinal. The Cowboys beat Hawthorne 53-48 to get back to states. Madison County (24-3) has 2019 FSU football signee Travis Jay and 2019 forward Dilan Lawson at the forefront.</p> <h2><strong>Franklin County vs. Wildwood (12 a.m. ET, Monday)</strong></h2> <p>Franklin County fell to Chipley 57-50 a season ago missing out on the state tournament, but this time around the Seahawks clipped Port St. Joe 56-49 to advance. 2019 guard Simon Brathwaite has been the workhorse for Franklin County (20-8) while 2021 guard Lamarius Martin has been a welcomed counterpart once again this season. For Wildwood (17-12), the defending state champs beat Bell 62-53 to move on. 2020 guard Markus Niblack and 2021 forwards Nate Mikell and Aaron Corbin have been steady for the Wildcats.</p> <h2><strong>Predicted state champion (2 p.m. ET, Tuesday)</strong></h2> <p><strong>Wildwood</strong></p> <p>It is quite difficult to pick against the best talent in Class 1A and that is Markus Niblack. The junior guard has been a force for Wildwood the last two seasons and he's only gotten better this season. Having one dominant piece is typically enough in the small school Class 1A. All four teams have scorers, but Wildwood has the experience and played a super tough regular season schedule to prepare for this moment.</p>