State Playoff Preview: Class 5A
The season wraps up in Lakeland next week. For Class 5A, the semifinals will be played on Wednesday, starting at 2 p.m. The final comes on Saturday at 10 a.m. Here is a state Final Four preview for 5A. Game…
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Continue ReadingThe season wraps up in Lakeland next week. For Class 5A, the semifinals will be played on Wednesday, starting at 2 p.m. The final comes on Saturday at 10 a.m.
Here is a state Final Four preview for 5A.
Game 1
Marianna vs. Calvary Christian (2 p.m.)
How they got here: Marianna beat Raines 66-46; Calvary Christian beat Gulliver Prep 90-61
Marianna (24-3) earned a 14-point performance from senior Jaeden Harley as the Bulldogs upset Raines on the road on Friday night. Senior Deontre Rhynes and junior Werlean Pollock are big contributors for this steady Marianna group. They’ll battle Calvary Christian (22-6). Seniors Jerald Butler (13 points, Victor Uyaelunmo (14 points) and Rasheem Etienne (17 points) and junior Solomon Uyaelunmo (12 points) all did their part as Calvary Christian (20-6) upended flew past Gulliver Prep to advance. This is the Eagles’ first-ever trip to the state final four.
Game 2
Villages vs. Tampa Catholic (4 p.m.)
How they got here: Villages beat Melbourne Central Catholic 68-63; Tampa Catholic beat Oxbridge 78-70
Behind 29 points from sophomore Tre Mann, The Villages (28-2) got past Melbourne Central Catholic to move onto states. Sophomore Montez Leath also had 19 points while sophomore Terry Ivery scored 13. The task is daunting up against top-ranked senior Kevin Knox and Tampa Catholic (24-5). Knox dropped 26 points in the region final win over Oxbridge. Junior Tai Strickland fought for an impressive 19-point game while senior Bentlee Sanders and freshman Alijah Harrison each had 12. This is going to be a fun one.
Photo credit: Sun Sentinel