FHSAA 5A Semifinal Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the postseason continues the stakes are higher than ever for teams vying for state championship titles. We've seen it all this season, from buzzer-beating shots to nail-biting finishes. Who will rise to the occasion and take home the coveted state championship hardware? Let's dive in and find out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"20px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:20px">5A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"20px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:20px"><strong>1 Norland vs. 4 Mariner </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>A matchup between two top teams in the class with fresh final four appearances.&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These teams have not made a final four postseason game in a few years therefore it will be a highly anticipated matchup for both the players and onlookers. Miami Norland will lean on two college signees in Missouri commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1055745' first='Marcus' last='Allen']</strong> (18.6 PPG) and Presbyterian commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1163363' first='Triston' last='Wilson']</strong> (15.2 PPG). For the Mariners, three productive seniors will be 6-2 guard <strong>MJ Kelley</strong> (16.9 PPG), 6-0 guard <strong>Corey Hunter (</strong>14.4 PPG), and 6-4 forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1457201' first='Justin' last='Lewis'] (12.3 PPG).</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Game Time: Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.- RP Funding Center (Lakeland)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"20px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:20px"><strong>2 Mainland vs. 3 Blake</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>A first-time final four appearance team will take on a tough opponent. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a season for the Blake Yellow Jackets who have earned their first final-four appearance for the boy's basketball program. Look out for the rising 6-7 sophomore guard Jojo Philon (15.2 PPG) to greatly impact this game. It's the surrounding talent and added production from 6-7 junior [player_tooltip player_id='1301754' first='Joshua' last='Lewis'] (16.5 PPG), and 6-5 junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1499469' first='Kentrell' last='Martin Jr'] (9.3 PPG). For the Mainland Buccaneers, a consecutive final-four appearance has this team hungry for a victory. Two guards will be the leaders of this squad, 6-0 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1660041' first='Nathan' last='Kirk'] (17.4 PPG)</strong> and 6-6 <strong>Narayan Thomas (13.4 PPG)</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Game Time: Wednesday, March 5, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. (RP Funding Center- Lakeland)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->