Florida Regional Playoffs: 8A Preview
The regional round is here and with that, we take a look at the top teams, sleeper teams to watch and top players from Class 8A. Here is the preview. Top four teams (one from each region) Creekside In region…
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Continue ReadingThe regional round is here and with that, we take a look at the top teams, sleeper teams to watch and top players from Class 8A.
Here is the preview.
Top four teams (one from each region)
Creekside
In region one Creekside is a strong program sitting at 24-3. The Knights beat Buchholz in the District 2 final on Friday night. With juniors J’Michael Plummer and Caleb Townsend each averaging over 10 points per game, Creekside is strong. Juniors Deniro Dumas (9.1 PPG) and Noah Lippy (7.9 PPG) and senior Oratius William (8.3 PPG) provide plenty of help for this group. This team is loaded. Creekside hosts Atlantic Coast in the region quarterfinal.
Blanche Ely
Two-time defending Class 7A champs, Blanche Ely is back looking for a three-peat out of region two. Seniors Geremy Taylor, William Maloney and Nicholas Stampley are the core along with junior Michael Forrest. Taylor is averaging 14.4 points per game while Forrest is averaging 13.7 points per game and Maloney is just over 10 points per game. Sophomore Josh Scott (8.1 PPG) is also a key piece. This is a team built for a deep run. The Tigers host Blanche Ely in the region quarterfinal.
Sickles
Over in region three, the Gryphons rely heavily on senior captains, guard Marcus Cohen and forward Bryce Beamer. Junior forward Bryce Workman and junior guard Tahj Lalanne are significant contributors who can score in bunches. Beamer and Lalanne are superb outside shooters while Cohen and Workman can drive to the basket with success. Junior wing Denari Garrett is a guy to keep an eye on. This team has only three losses this season in the state of Florida. Sickles host Kathleen in the region quarterfinal.
Tampa Bay Tech
The lone undefeated team left in Class 8A, Tampa Bay Tech has the looks of a contender out of region four. With juniors Tyrick Brascom, Tyrese Williams and Michael Penix Jr. all putting up numbers, this group is packed with athleticism. Sophomore Jamarcus Robertson and freshman David Cexil are two sound contributors. The Titans have a tough region quarterfinal against Countryside, but this team is crafty and I expect a deep run.
Sleeper teams to watch
St. Pete
Senior guard Darius Banks is healthy, junior guard Serrel Smith has played fantastic all season long and senior forward A.J. Ford is stepping up when needed. St. Pete represents a team on a mission right now. The Green Devils have won six straight games with Banks back in the lineup. St. Pete fell short in last year’s state title game. They host Plant City in the region quarterfinal. A win would set up a possible matchup with Tampa Bay Tech.
Lakewood Ranch
At 24-2, Lakewood Ranch is a top team in the state. But with Tampa Bay Tech and St. Pete playing in the same region, four, it is hard to see the Mustangs powering through. Senior Sam Hester and junior Damien Gordon are really good players. Lakewood Ranch could catch fire and prove me wrong, but we will see how it plays out in a tough region. The Mustangs host Gulf Coast in the region quarterfinal.
Lincoln
Lincoln survived in overtime in its district final 75-73 against Leon. That tough fought victory should give the Trojans (20-3) a ton of momentum moving forward. Senior bigs Dwight Wilson and Derrion Fluka and junior guard Trinton Bryant are the core pieces. In region one, the possibility is there for Lincoln to matchup with Creekside in the region final. They play host to Navarre in the region quarterfinal.
Palm Beach Lakes
In region two, Palm Beach Lakes is destined to give Blanche Ely are run for their money. A win over Ft. Lauderdale in the region quarterfinal would setup a semifinal against Blanche Ely pending a victory over Dwyer. Senior Lavorris Givens is the feature man for the Rams. Tyrese Mapp and Ty Hands are two other guys to watch for Palm Beach Lakes. Don’t rule out the Rams.
Top players
Tyrick Brascom (Tampa Bay Tech)
Tarik McKelphin (Plant City)
Trey Diggs (Niceville)
Miles Coleman (Dwyer)
Geremy Taylor (Blanche Ely)
Serrel Smith (St. Pete)
Darius Banks (St. Pete)
Damien Gordon (Lakewood Ranch)
Lavorris Givens (Palm Beach Lakes)
Bryce Workman (Sickles)
Photo credit: Ely Tiger Hoops
Note: Two games missing from the FHSAA bracket are McArthur vs. Mater and Goleman at Nova