6A State Semifinal Preview

<p>The state Final Four got underway on Wednesday in Lakeland. On Thursday, eight more games are scheduled.</p> <p>One of those contests is in 6A with Martin County and Wharton. Both teams have a combined record of 53-6.</p> <p>The Tigers have rattled off three impressive victories in the state tournament against Dillard, Dwyer, and Pembroke Pines Charter.</p> <p>2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1306059" first="Elijah" last="Duval"] is an explosive guard when healthy. The 6-foot-2 Duval was not in the box score against Pembroke Pines Charter. Duval had 18 points, five rebounds and three assists against Dwyer. Duval can really attack the tin and plays with tremendous bounce. He is a big-time player and one of the better sophomores in South Florida. Overall, Duval has averaged a team-best 18 points per game while shooting 52 percent from the floor.</p> <p>One of the stories against Pembroke Pines Charter was the play of 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="829398" first="Ryan" last="Davis"]. The 6-foot-5 forward had 15 points and team-best seven rebounds. Davis is a solid face up shooter with extension out to the 3-point line. He is also a tough kid that will grab hard rebounds. Davis is the type of player you want in a final four setting. I think he could be the difference in a tight game in the fourth quarter. Overall, Davis has averaged 15.4 points and seven rebounds per game while shooting 46 percent from the floor. He is committed to Nova Southeastern University.</p> <p>2022 Jayden Pressey also played well against the Jaguars. The 5-foot-10 point guard scored 15 points on five-of-eight shooting from the field. Pressey hit three 3-pointers and tallied four steals on defense. His scoring outburst was more than triple his season average (4.4 ppg). Pressey could ride that momentum into Thursday’s matchup.</p> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1065497" first="Braydin" last="Samuels"] is another X-Factor. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard had 10 points and five boards against the Jaguars. I think you can count on him as a reliable scorer and rebounder. Overall, Samuels is averaging 8.2 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. In addition, he has hit 29 3-pointers. Martin County has essentially five kids that can score in double-figures. That alone makes them very tough to beat.</p> <p>Wharton has won its three state tournament games by a combined 84 points. Most recently, the Wildcats throttled Sumner 50-11. 2022’s [player_tooltip player_id="1161403" first="Trevor" last="Dyson"] and Carlos Nesbitt are solid forwards and team captains. Dyson is 6-foot-3 while Nesbitt is 6-foot-4. 6-foot-5 guard [player_tooltip player_id="812621" first="Chandler" last="Davis"] brings solid length around the perimeter. Wharton lost both of its games by a combined seven points. Therefore, they are a couple of baskets away from being 30-0. This should be a tough game for a right to advance to the championship. </p> <p>For any South Florida Prep Hoops news or information...please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 on Instagram or follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>