CLASS 5A
It wasn’t much of a surprise to come away with a 4-0 record in our predictions over a week ago. The big surprise was that three of the four regional finals were decided by double-digits. The closest game was Mainland’s 42-36 home win over Tallahassee Rickards. All four of the regional top seeds advanced to Lakeland, so hopefully the final four games will be more competitive than the elite eight contests.
Best Matchup: It will be size vs. speed when Tampa Blake takes on Daytona Beach Mainland in one semi-final. It isn’t just the size but the versatility of a Blake front line that goes 6’7, 6’6, and 6’6 that gets to opponents. Mainland’s backcourt has been potent all season long against a bevy of quality competition. It should make for an interesting dynamic. The “X” factor could be Mainland’s 7’0 senior DeAndrew Newland. If he patrols the paint and doesn’t wander too often on the perimeter, it will give Mainland an added boost.
Best Chance for an Upset: There is a sense of mission on the part of Norland and it seems that it will take a supreme effort to keep the Vikings from grabbing the title. Don’t see that happening in the semis so it will be up to either Blake or Mainland.
Our Picks
Miami Norland over Cape Coral Mariner
Daytona Beach Mainland over Tampa Blake
Miami Norland over Daytona Beach Mainland for the Class 5A state championship
CLASS 6A
We suffered through a 2-2 record in our regional finals’ predictions. Both Ponte Vedra and Punta Gorda Charlotte went on the road to knock off the top seed in their respective regions. Ponte Vedra won big to return to Lakeland for the third straight year, but Charlotte had to scrap and claw for a one-point win at Tampa Leto. Both Edgewater and Pembroke Pines Charter won by double-digits in their respective regional finals.
Best Matchup: A Pines Charter/Edgewater matchup in a projected final would certainly be the best game on paper. Both teams have size, athleticism, and talent, so it could make for a very entertaining contest. However, the youth of Edgewater must not be intimidated by the moment while Pines Charter needs to overcome an experienced Ponte Vedra team.
Best Chance for an Upset: The Sharks have a legit chance to knock off Pines Charter. Most of the group has been here the last couple of years and Ponte Vedra is on a good run. We certainly give Pines Charter the edge in talent, but that doesn’t mean that winning is a given. The Jaguars need to come prepared for a battle or it will be an early and long trip back home to South Florida.
Our Picks
Orlando Edgewater over Punta Gorda Charlotte
Pembroke Pines Charter over Ponte Vedra
Pembroke Pines Charter over Orlando Edgewater for the Class 6A state championship.
CLASS 7A
A very easy 4-0 record when three of the four winners are ranked nationally and the other one is playing at home. However, there were a couple of surprises. One was the large margin of victory by Oak Ridge over neighboring Orlando Olympia. Yes, Oak Ridge won by a large amount just a few weeks earlier at Olympia, but one would have thought that experience would have prepared Olympia for what was to come on Friday night. The thirty-five point margin of victory suggests otherwise. On the flip side, we must admit to being surprised by Winter Haven’s win over six seed Plant City being by “just” twelve points. One would have thought an experienced Blue Devil’s team would have wanted to make more of a statement after making their first appearance in the national polls the week before.
Best Matchup: In a rematch from last season’s final four, Winter Haven takes on Oak Ridge. Winter Haven won that on a tip-in just before the final horn. This could be that same type of contest. Winter Haven will need to handle Oak Ridge’s defensive pressure and look to score easy baskets against it. Both teams have played high-level schedules to prepare them for this so there really is no intimidation factor at play here.
Best Chance for an Upset: Before anyone hands Columbus the trophy for the third straight year, remember that each of the last two seasons, the Explorers win came down to the last moments of the contest. This team is arguably better than the two before it, but the longer Oak Ridge or Winter Haven stay in the contest, the better their chances. Not saying it will happen, but it won’t be an “earth shattering event” should a team other than Columbus hoist the trophy Saturday night.
Our Picks
Miami Christopher Columbus over Orlando Evans
Orlando Oak Ridge over Winter Haven
Miami Christopher Columbus over Orlando Oak Ridge for the Class 7A state championship